TO PRODUCE MORE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 17

TO PRODUCE MORE

As their supreme contribution to winning the war, the farmers of New Zealand are asked to produce more. Were they accustomed to work as other citizens, on live days of the week and for eight hours a day, there would obviously be expected of them a greater physical effort. For the needs of war must be met. But as anyone with a practical knowledge of our rural life knows, the farming community has for some years been working at an ‘'all-in” pace. Clearly, therefore, increased production must come from other means than added toil. The co-operation of other forces in the nation must be engaged. Fortunately, these are at hand, ready and willing to serve. In another section of today’s paper is a feature dedicated to the “Produce More” campaign. Here are furnished ideas and proposals that may be incorporated in the policy and activities of every class of farming. There is no employment of the declamatory style, no “beating of the big drum,” rather is the material put forward in explanatory terms. The use of goods and services i.s urged on a plane of reasoning. Ou such grounds the feature is worthy of the study of every man on the land. During the last century science, mechanics and industry have given magnificent service to agriculture, otherwise we would today still be ploughing our fields with a crooked stick drawn by an ox, skimming cream from milkpans, tap-dres'sing our pastures with dung alone, boiling-down our surplus sheep and killing our cattle for their hides. Take away all that farming receives from industry and commerce, and farming as we know it would simply fade away; our rural life would rapidly sink to peasantry. But quite often thoughtful people fail to realize that the developmental stage has not ended, that progress still continues. That one uses all the advantageous contributions made to farming up to, say, five years ago does not mean that one’s farm is benefited fully to the extent of what is today available. And in this regard let us not be blinded by the dazzling brilliance of new inventions, valuable as these may be. In aggregate, of infinitely greater value are the constant amendments and improvements being made to plant, materials, and services already familiar. Finally, there is constant need to In 1 reminded of the goodness of old. tried and proven goods and services. In the rush of modern days, the glamour of what is new, the very latest, quite often brings forgetfulness of good things of the past. Now, however interested they may feel in the ideas put forth, for one or several items in the feature referred to, there will be some who will hesitate at committing themselves to action. Inaction may be founded on thoughts such as these: “Though prices are good enough just now, this war won’t last forever, perhaps only for a year or little more; then we may be in for a pretty sticky period: a man had best now hang on to whatever surplus he can put by.” Were those words used to decide against “making a splash,” against a risky speculation, or even against investing in a presumably sound business proposition, but one outside the' farm itself, then we would be in agreement with their sentiment. to invoke them in support of a policy of laissez faire, as regards farm working and equipment is a false philosophy. All should clearly- appreciate that, while present prices are fair enough, the post-war years will possibly see a period of some dillieulty; ami sc. sensing the future, it is right to plan to meet what may come. Simply “sitting light” on every pound note that one can put into the stocking is not the common-sense way to prepare. Never can another investment be found so good as that made in improving one's own farm and farming. Money invested outside the farm may return 4 percent.; invested in the farm, the plant purchased or improvement wrought, may pay for itself in two or three seasons. Just, work out the interest rale that represents, and see which is the better investment. Consider a concrete example: A typical farmer under commandeer prices lias a £lOO surplus from last season and sees the same for this; does he safeguard -his 1 future business best by putting that in the bank, giving himself a £2OO cash nest-egg, or toy wisely investing the sum in farm plant and improvements? In relation to his total liabilities that £2OO will mean very little—perhaps a year’s mortgage interest. But put back into the farm that sum may well raise the net return from his operations by £lOO a year. That represents return upon £2500 of capital at 4 per cent. In effect, his farm is worth as a business an added £2500.

Wise investment in one's own farm is the soundest investment in the world. And the greatest gain is always made from bettered plant and equipment and improvements to the land one owns. Finally, disregarding the personal aspect entirely, viewing the subject in light of that supremely dominant concern of today, the wav effort, there is only one course of action to be followed. Everything possible must be done to produce more. To that end our farms must be supplied with the best plant, equipment and improvements.