FARM PRODUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 November 1943, Page 4

FARM PRODUCTION

NEW ZEALAND’S PLIGHT

WELLINGTON, November 19

The Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union directs public attention to a recent statement by Lord Woolton, ex-Food Controller in Britain, when he said the indications clearly pointed to a general world shortage of foodstuffs within a measureable’period of time. The Executive considers it its dutv publicly to slate the production o'f foodstuffs in New Zealand is on the down grade. The reasons are partly climatic, partly material and partly psychological. Nothing could be done on the first point, which is the smallest factor. The second point ; s covered by a shortage of fertiliser, a shortage of other farm requirements, and of adequate efficient and permanent labour. The shortage in these things had intensified the effects of the unfavourable climatic conditions in the past 12 or 16 months.

In regard to the third point, the farming community appeared to be suffering from a feeling of frustration. They and their womenfolk had put the maximum into thencontribution to the war effort, but these efforts were being nullified bv inefficient administration, by vacilla'tion and by inability to appreciate the essential requirements of food production. As regards dairy farming, the call for manpower for the Fighting Services had resulted in women being largely responsible for carrying on the industry. In many cases these women were subjected to the double strain of maintaining homes and carrying on farm work and some were breaking down.