NORTH ISLAND DROUGHT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24820, 9 March 1946, Page 3

NORTH ISLAND DROUGHT

FEED SHORTAGE NOW DESPERATE APPEAL FOR OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE Reports from the North Island, where there has been a little rain, indicate that in Auckland and on the east coast the feed situation has never been more serious. In many areas the drought has been so bad that farmers are talking of stock losses from lack of water. For many weeks carting of water has been necessary over a wide area, but the position has become absolutely desperate in areas where it is not possible, or too expensive, to cart water. The fixed prices for stock feed announced by the Government, and an appeal put out by the Department of Agriculture, underline the unenviable position of farmers practically throughout the eastern half of the North Island. An urgent request has been made to all farmers with feed to spare to sell it to the affected districts, but the proposition is not as simple as it might look.

Two factors influence the situation here. The first is that the winter feed position in Canterbury at any rate, is not yet so well assured that farmers can safely sell any great quantity of feed. The second is that the shipping available for coastal trade seems to be entirely inadequate to cope with the demands being made upon it. Ordinary merchandise is piling up in warehouses waiting shipment between the North and South Islands, and the prospects of shipping comparatively bulky cargoes like feedstuffs appear to be little better.

However, the writer has heard of many farmers who have put oats into stack with the idea of chaffing the crop if that is warranted. In fact, these reports have been so common that threshed oats, which suffer as a profitable thing by comparison with the present price for oaten chaff, may become scarce.

Marlborough farmers have this year been able to sell quantities of hay and straw to the North Island. They are more fortunately placed in regard to shipping. Even headed ryegrass straw has oeen sold readily. Department’s Appeal The appeal from the Department of Agriculture states:— “In view of the serious drought which is affecting production in parts of the North Island it is necessary to appeal to all farmers in the more favourably situated districts to save as much surplus feed as possible. The seriousness of the position is emphasised by the fact that in some districts stock are not only short of feed but they are becoming short of water. Unless rain falls soon the farming industry will receive the greatest setback it has ever suffered. Even if rain does fall soon the prospects for the winter are extremely black in the northern districts and our food-production efforts in New Zealand are likely to be retarded. This is serious, not only for us in New Zealand, but also for the peoples of Europe who are depending on our food supplies. “Immediate relief is necessary. Rain is our greatest need, and while we can’t do anything in this direction, farmers in certain districts can materially assist those suffering from feed shortage by conserving as much hay as possible during the next few weeks. Every pound of hay will be required. In fact, a preliminary survey of surplus stocks already available in other districts shows that only a small part of the shortage in hay requirements of the affected districts can be supplied from elsewhere. It is felt, however, that considerable quantities of feed can be conserved by farmers, particularly in the south. We appeal to all those with such surplus feed to save it in the form of hay and advise their merchants of any surpluses they have on hand. Good straw should also be saved and as chaff is a valuable commodity which can be shipped easily, as much oaten chaff as possible should be made. In the affected districts farmers may help themselves to a certain extent by sowing green feed oats or barley on any vacant cultivated ground as soon as conditions permit.”