Dr. McMeekan Urges Diversified Agriculture

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28618, 21 June 1958, Page 12

Dr. McMeekan Urges Diversified Agriculture

.. (New Zealand Press Association) . ' ■ HAMILTON, June, 20. : “In the .problems lying ahead, and in- particular in catering for our own expanding pppulatiop in terms of both food and imports, I am more than a little impressed with the possibilities of a much more diversified agriculture than we have at : present,” said Dr. C. P.. McMeekan, superintendent of the Riiakura Animat Research Station, at the Ruakura' farmers’ conference today:. • « “While increased supplies of meat, wool, dairy produce,v, vegetables and small seeds must be obtained, the balance’of payments argument is so strong 'that we could be forced to become selfsufticient in cereals,, and even in sugar, to take but' two outstanding exaihples. -■ ' . .

“Today, we spend nearly.. £9 million a year in importing these two commodities. In 10 -'years’ time we could be spending ’ at least £l3| million and these two products could be grown here. “If England can produce , twoton per acre crops of wheat, and harvest them in a worse harvesting climate than our North Island, so can we. The modern grain drier has revolutionised wheat growing in wet climates. “Sugar beet production is no longer the occupation of a peas-ant-farming community. It is a large-scale mechanised industry. “A study of the potentials and the problems in these two products should be accepted as a national responsibility. “They cannot be dismissed casually as unworthy of consideration. Britain has become agriculturally strong in consequence of the abandonment of some of her traditional attitudes. Despite the strength of specialisation, it may be necessary for us to do likewise. “Whatever the short-term economic and man-made difficulties may be, the long-term prospects for this country—which can produce high-quality animal products cheaper than anywhere else in the world—are exceedingly bright, and justify fully a

completely bptlmiatic and for-ward-looking policy on our part. “The present is not the time for pessimism. It 'js not a tipie for standing still. We must" continue to advance, confident in our ability to make the most of the best country in the world. “Above all things, we must gear our thinking to the present and probably future—-not to the past 20 or 30 years," Dr. McMeekan said.