WHEAT NOT GROWN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24096, 4 November 1943, Page 4

WHEAT NOT GROWN

CASES OF CANTERBURY FARMS ’ ACTION BY PRODUCTION COUNCIL Cases where wheat was not being grown on a State farm or on a farm where the farmer’s two sons were in a conscientious objectors’ camp were discussed by the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production yesterday, when reports on wheat production were received from district production committees. After the chairman (Mr R. T. McMillan) had stated that the council had no authority to get people to grow wheat or any other commodity under its direction, it was decided to refer the two cases to the National Council of Primary Production for investigation. When the reports had been read, Mr W. O. Rennie said that it appeared that farmers were doing their full quota in every district except one. Mr C. G. Jarman, ofDarfield, said the biggest complaint in his district was that there was a State farm which would not grow wheat. The property was approximately 400 acres of marginal land, and there was not much to complain about, but there were three tractor drivers on the place, and this did rub other farmers up the wrong way. Mr A. H. Spratt suggested that the attention of the Department of Agriculture should be drawn to the position. Mr McMillan said that if the report was referred to the National Council of Primary Production the council could take action afterwards. Mr R. G. Bishop said he understood that the farm was being used for animal husbandry research into parasites in sheep. Would this research be upset if the council insisted on the farm growing wheat? Mr A. R, Turnbull: If there are 400 acres of marginal land and three tractor drivers it is not only sheep parasites that are there. Mr J. R. D. Johns said that three tractor drivers could not be working full time on 400 acres, and surely some of the neighbouring farmers could be helped at harvest time. Mr Jarman said that the three men were not driving tractors, but he knew that they were capable of doing so. Mr I. L. M. Coop said one man whose two sons were in a conscientious objectors’ camp had refused to grow wheat. Wheatgrowing was not compulsory, but in a case like that the council should inquire into the whole business. . The secretary (Mr A. E. G. Lyttle) said that the property was being farmed well by relatives, but they did it in their own way. Mr Coop; Apparently they are dead against everything and will not grow wheat to help the war effort. I may be wrong, but if we are going to inquire into the State farm we should inquire into other farms. Mr McMillan said that all cases should be looked into. Asked what authority the council had to get farmers to grow wheat Mr C. Morgan Williams, M.P., said that the matter of compulsory cropping had not been considered necessary, but it might have to be considered m the future. .