INCREASED FARM PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 6

INCREASED FARM PRODUCTION

“ VAGUE PROMISE ” OF EXPORTS

MR HALE’S COMMENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 23. “I am concerned at the vague and indefinite promise that seems to have been made in respect to large increases in the production of meat and dairy produce by 1955,” said the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) at the annual meeting of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co. Ltd. “No Government statement setting out proposals to encourage an increase in our primary produce exports has been issued.” There were only two ways this increase could be made, said Mr Hale. They were either to increase production from existing farm land or to bring in undeveloped land. The Government would have to make available implements, wire, and manure. Above all the Government would have to secure the goodwill of the present farmers and attract additional workers to the land.

“The occupation of producing primary produce must be made number one priority,” Mr Hale continued. “The world needs more food. New Zealand needs additional sterling to maintain present standards of living. For a movement back to the land a real incentive must be offered.” Incentives for Workers

Workers should have rewards comparable with the best in other industries and the knowledge that by diligence and thrift they would eventually become the owners of their own farms. Higher prices for meat and dairy produce would be necessary to put farm wages on par with other industrial pursuits. If the Government wanted increased primary production it would have to create a demand from the people for farming occupations. The Minister of Marketing (Mr E. Cullen) should be definite on what the Government desired and what it was prepared to do to bring the desired result about.

“The possibilities for a vast increase in primary production, particularly in the Auckland province, are well known to all practical farmers,” Mr Hale concluded. “They should not now be asked to subsidise local industries. If a subsidy is required, that is a matter of Government policy and the Consolidated Fund. The producers will not accept the filching of their realisations by any other section of the community.”