MAINTAINING PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3189, 13 September 1917, Page 8

MAINTAINING PRODUCTION

~ AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT'S 1 EFFORTS \ RURAL ENTERPRISES "Theprolongation of the war is placing an increasing strain on the'agricultural industry, the provision of the necessary labour being tho principal problem to cope with," says tho Minister of Agriculture in his annual report. "It will be for tho Government, after a wide 6urvey of tho position and consultation with various authorities concerned, to indicate any necessary limits in connection with tho industry's t-hare in military service. Possibly the precedent regarding exemptions set by Great Britain might be reasonably followed bv New Zealand. But in any case, tho time appears to be approaching when tho women of the country must be called into the agricultural ranks, in no inconsiderable numbers. Here also,-we. have tho examplo of tho Motherland. Our boys leaving school must also help to fill the gaps to a greater extent than hitherto. There is also a great opportunity for retired farmers to render patriotic service in the training and superintending of such labour recruits. Asregauds tho great, primary industries proper, partial exemptions have already been granted to certain classes of workers, and similar provisions may havo lo bo extended shortly.

"In regard to the vitally importaut matter of refrigerated shipping and storage for dealing 1 with ouir main perishable products—meat, butter, and cheese—it is satisfactory to record that the stores were cleared of accumulations of produce before tho export reason ot 1916-17 began in earnest. The end of the period now reviewed, however, was marked by a greater blockage of produce than ever experienced before, and tho position has since become more ' aggravated. The main causes are the war losses among the refrigerated fleet trading to New Zealand/and the diversion of a number of such vessels for food-carrying on shorter routes in order to meet tho serious exigencies of tho Mother Country. The tonnage recently allotted to New Zealand up to the end of Sopteraber' is, however, very considerable, and, while there seems little hope of< the stores being cleared this year, suffioient 6naco will -be' set free to enable the new season's business to open without being disastrously ,'iampered. 'lie wisdom of the iction taken by the majority of the meat-freezing companies in extending their cold-storago accommodation has been amply demonstrated.. The aggregate holding capacity of tho various works is now equivalent to four and four and a half million freight carcasses, and further extensions are in band at certain establishments. The daily industry has hardly shown the sanio readiness in p:oviding refrigerated storage for its output, though extensions to cheese stores havo been made recently at sevoral ports, and others are now in hand, at Wellington iu particular. It scorns clear that much raord must bo dono beforo tho .lairy industry can feol reasonably secure ini relation to next season's operations. A repetition of tho experiences of the past season af v Wellington,.with mora or less casual storage for large quantities of cheese, is highly desirable. A measure of financial support for tho construction of cheese cool storago for this and certain other ports has now been decided upon by tho Government. "The present position in regard to our overseas trade should cause all concern, ed to look well ahead and consider tho best scheme of farming and production to follow undor possiblo eventualities during tho ensuing season. Questions of live stock management aro chiefly concerned, such as whether to carry over moro lambs and freeze more sheep. Again, should tho dairy factories make butter or cheese, and so on. A complete stoppage of shipping, oven for a comparatively short time, would, of course, require the taking of very radical measures, and these should bo worked out, in advance as War emergencies are worked out by a military general staff. It appears, however, not unduly optimistic to hold that tho now producing season may be commenced on fairly normal linos.

i "Above all things a strong all-Tound food-pvoduction policy should ho maintained. Any suggestions for a limitation of production on the grounds of a possible stoppage of exports cannot bo" considered. Neither New Zealand nor tho Empire is at the< end of its resources in shipping or storage. With a worldwide sliortago of foodstuffs among tho possibilities of the near future, any slackening-off in production cannot be too strongly deprecated. Tho conclusion of peace, with an easing of* tho shipping difficulty, should find New Zealand' ready as a supplier to the utmost of its capacity under prevailing conditions. "If Now Zealand's production of agricultural produce of all kinds is to be largely extended after the war, as will bo so eminently desirable in view of the increasing national debt, I am convinced that it -will be necessary for the Gov. crnmont to havo power to lend money for the establishment of enterprises designed to promoto _ production. Such provision already exists in the case of tho fruit-preserving industry, and there seems no reason to doubt that similar

assistaiico should bo rendered in tho caso of all kinds of co-operativo or other 6omi-publio agricultural undertakings. I strongly recommend that legislation should bo introduced to enable the Government to mako advances to co-oporativo companies and to proprietary concerns in suitablo circumstances for the establishment of such businesses ns meat works, dairy factories, cold stores for poultry produce, lime-works, works for the utilisation of waste timber, woolscouring plants, and 60 on." ADDINGTON MARKET By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, September 12. At Adding'ton market the yardings of stock were smaller than those of the previous week on account of the wet weather on Tuesday. The fat cattle supply was barely sufficient for requirements, and prices were irregular, being equal to 555. to 60s. and over per 1001b. Tho yarding of fat sheep was very small, one only of tho four races being occupied, and prices consequently were much lirmer. An application was telegraphed to the Board of Trade' for a supply of mutton from the 'freezing works. There was a good demand for dry store 6heep, both wethers and hoggets showing an advance. Store cattle met with an improved demand, and pigs were very dear, while stores were rather easier. Store Sheep.—Sound-mouthed <wes, 335. to 355. 9d.; four-tooth ewes, to 385.; 2 and i-tooth wethers, 375. 10d.; 4 and 6-too_th wethers, 3fis. id.; wether hoggets, 255.. od. to 275. Gd.; ewo hoggets, 31s. 4d. Fat Sheep.—Prime wethers, 455. to Dts.; lighter, 375. to 445. 6d.; prime owes, 38s. lOd. to 48s. .9d.; hoggets, 295. to 345. 9d.; new season's fat lambs, 245. 3d. to 28s. ■ Fat Cattle-Extra prime steers, £23 17s. '6d.; prime steers, .£l7 to .£2O; ordinary steers, £9 to .£10; extra prime cows, m Ss.;.prime cows, Jil3 to .£l9; ordinary cows, .C 7 10s. to Xl 2; extra prune heifers, to £19; prime heifers, to ill 10s.; ordinary heifers, £& 15s. to £W 10s. Store Cattle.-Yearlings to 15 months, £3 to £6 75.; 2-year hoifers, in ca 1, £i l"s. 6d. to £S 55.; mixed 2-year-olds, w£7 18s ; 2 and 3-years, £9 10s.; 3-year steers, Jill as.; dry 'cows, .£7 15s. to .£8 2s. Gd.; dairy cows, £7 to .£l3. Pik-Choppers, ,£7 to M 195.; extra beavy baconers. ,£7 25.; heary £'o 12s. to M; lighter baconers, £i 10=. to os., equal to 9Jd. to 9Jd. per lb; heaw porkers, GSs. to 80s.; lighter porkere, 60s. to 655„ equal to lfljd. lo ll:ld. per lb.; large stores, 55s to 585.; medium stores, 455. to 505.; smaller. 3as. to 39»._, weaners, 20s. to 325.; breeding sows, £i 17s. Gd.