Role Of Agriculture

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 1

Role Of Agriculture

Although the contribution industries could make to export earnings was emphasised at the National Development Conference, the part of the agricultural and pastoral industry, New Zealand’s traditional export earner, was made clear by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys).

The industry was asked to increase its export earnings by only 74 per cent in the olanning period, he said, but it was asked to earn S9lom out of $1215m in the first five years and SlllOm out of 31585 m in the second five years.

“What this means in terms of sheep and cattle, beef or dairy, we have to work out, but it is a monumental task,” he said. It was a sobering reminder of how rapidly or how gradually the country could relieve

ifs dependence on the pastoral

The experience of the Agricultural Development Conference suggested that there must be a guard against the error of seeing targets and the assumptions on which they were based as having “the power of Holy Writ,” Mr Taiboys said.

Time had shown how wrong was the price of 42d or 35c per lb for wool. But at the time of the conference it had appeared to be a conservative estimate.

Realism Of Targets

The agricultural targets committee had to reassess the 1972-73_ target figure of 3910 m. It believed that it would be on target, but prices had changed, and farmers were adjusting to the change. The Minister said he had no doubt that the conference would be exposed to the same criticism as had been levelled against the Agricultural Development Conference. First, it was said to be window-dressing, then a political gimmick. As production increased it was said the Agricultural Production Council had nothing to do with it When prices fell it was soon claimed that the council was responsible. “All this and more will be said of your work,” Mr Taiboys said. Mineral Search Mr R. C. Bradshaw, for the minerals committee,' emphasised that there was a high degree of initial risk in mining, and overseas participation was practically essential. Exploring for oil in New Zealand had cost S2om so far. Even after exploration money had to be spent on proving deposits and then on the installation of costly mines or extraction processes.

“s6om Saving”

However, if oil was discovered there would be a saving of $6O million a year in overseas exchange, and if ilmenite was developed there could be a substantial increase in mineral exports, so that the mineral committee

accepted its target, although it was small in relation to the others.

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall), who is chairman of the conference: The cost is great but the rewards are greater. The chairman of the education, training and research committee (Mr G. J. Schmitt) said there could be a good case for greater Government outlay on the three subjects It could be financed by taxation because the person who contributed knowledge got only an infinitesimal share of the reward—society benefited most. Problems could arise unless the community was prepared to recognise the need for adequate margins for skill, knowledge and responsibility, not only in gross rates of pay but also in income after tax, Mr Schmitt said.

Such a recognition might even amend the “dismal prognostication” of 'the targets committee on net immigration—that the country would continue to lose a great number of people by voluntary emigration.

One of the few speakers from the floor on the reports was Mr L. W. McCaskill, of Christchurch, who said it was important that the conference should not just discuss finance, but remember that there were humans involved and also natural assets which could not be replaced.