MAIZE ACREAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21400, 10 May 1944, Page 2

MAIZE ACREAGE

PLEA FOR INCREASE GROWERS* DIFFICULTIES HIGHER PRICE WANTED Already in difficulties with their present crops, .which in many cases are standing in the fields without any immediate prospect of harvesting, maize-growers of the Gisborne district hesitate to consider increasing their maize acreage for 1944-45. A shortage of seasonal labour, and the more attractive work offered _by other lines of primary production, were quoted at a general meeting of growers last night as the principal obstacles in the way of expansion such as is urged by Government agencies. A lengthy discussion took place' at the meeting, which was addressed by Mr J. R. Virtue, president of the New Zealand Grain, §eed and Produce Merchants' Federation, on behalf of the National Council of Production. Mr Virtue is engaged on a tour of the maize-growing districts, discussing the difficulties of the growers, and endeavouring to smooth the way to a greater planting of maize for the next season. He pointed out that shortages of produce for the current season, which have to be made good by importations from abroad to meet average consumption, include from 2000 to 3000 tons of maize. The plantings of maize, since the 1933-34 season, had shown a consistent shrinkage with the exception of two seasons, these being the first and second after the outbreak of war. In 1940-41 10,763 acres were planted in maize, and in the following two years 8669 and 7307 acres comprised the areas. Last year only about 6000 acres were devoted to maize in the whole of New Zealand. Gisborne Allocation 5000 Acres The necessity for internal production would be quite apparent, he pointed out, and to obviate dependence upon imports it would be necessary to establish a total planting of 10,100 acres for the season 1944-45. North Auckland would be asked to plant 500 acres, Auckland (including the Bay of Plenty) 4000 acres, Hawke’s Bay 600 acres and Gisborne 5000 acres. This allocation placed the major burden on this district, which by climatic'and soil conditions obviously was the most favoured for maize cultivation, said Mr Virtue. The Government and the merchants were anxious to offer every encouragement to the growers to achieve the allocated acreage, and he desired to secure the views of the Gisborne growers on any retarding factors. The chairman of the Poverty Bay Maize-Growers’ Association, Mr K. Cameron, indicated that the price was the main difficulty, as at a ceiling of 6s 2d the growers were unable to recover their costs and show anything for their own work. The Internal Marketing Department had fixed the price, and when the growers had shown their difficulties and asked for Is per bushel advance, they were granted only 6d per bushel. This was not sufficient, and growers were tending to swing to other lines of production which did not require such constant work, and which also absolved them from labour difficulties. In reply to Mr Virtue, the chairman and othei speakers pointed out that seasonal labour was short in the district, and that maize-pickers had other wo.-,- to go to. The release of men from the army would help, it was considered, but the cost of picking was still likely to be too high to make profitable maize-growing possible, when the growers had to compete for the services of pickers. After a discussion in which Mr Virtue .tendered a warning against seeking increases in the price which would antagonise the consumers and make importations more probable, it was decided that he should recommend to the authorities in Wellington such action as might be necessary to provide pickers for the maize crops at a stabilised price. Security Against Surpluses

Some growers raised the possibility of their being left with surpluses on their hands, that having happened in 1940-41 when they yielded to an urgent request to plant more maize. Mr Virtue was able to assure these speakers that the maize was needed in the coming season, and he suggested that contract planting might be arranged for, as a surety against the farmers being left with surpluses. Supplies of cultivating machinery were also discussed, and it was decided that the authorities be asked to facilitate the importation of cultivators and other items of machinery, the available supplies of which were inadequate. Growers agreed to report their individual requirements to their association, so that definite schedules could be placed before the Government.

At the close of the discussion, those present gave an assurance that they would endeavour to increase local plantings to 5000 acres for the coming season, arid urged that the. Governnient consider increasing the re-turn-to the growers by 6d per bushel on next season’s production, over and above the scale of prices for the current season.