Public Ownership Of Farms Urged

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 3

Public Ownership Of Farms Urged

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, February 26

Public ownership of farms through company promotion to offset the lack of challenge, pride and excitement of achievement among New Zealand farm labour was suggested to a meeting of Waipawa Rotarians by the Director-General of Agriculture (Mr D. N. R. Webb).

“The farm labourer would then have the opportunities offering to the motor mechanic, the carpenter, the forest worker, the plumber and the bank clerk—advancement to

in-charge positions or even a stake in directorships through shareholding,” Mr Webb said. “In New Zealand, the farm manager is traditionally the managing director, the manager, the foreman, the man and the boy who does financial planning and budgeting, if any is ever done,” said Mr Webb.

“Labour is difficult to attract and retain because there is no challenge, no pride or excitement of achievement, no participation in management and often, no future,” Mr Webb suggested. The progress from small farming to big farming did not' necessarily imply a growth of acres. “The move will be. as I peer into the future, through the intensification of production, housing and mechanised feeding of stock, hormone treatments to induce multiple synchronised ovulation, light control and breeding patterns. “Misplaced pride, stemming from vested interests in our traditional farming institutions, our breeds or our production records will be nothing but an impediment to progress.”