DISPOSAL PLAN FOR VEGETABLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21899, 18 December 1945, Page 2

DISPOSAL PLAN FOR VEGETABLES

U.S.A. CONTRACTS

OFFICIAL POLICY

FEED FOR STOCK

ADVICE TO FARMERS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. IS. “It is evident from recent articles and letters to the newspapers that a good deal of misunderstanding exists regarding responsibility for the disposal of vegetables grown under contract for the United States forces in the Pacific, a contract which has now been cancelled as a result of the early finish of the Japanese war,” said the Hon. B. Roberts. Minister of Marketing, in an interview yesterday. “The New Zealand Government was well aware that, in agreeing to grow, pack and process vegetables. It would necessarily have the problem of cancellation and disposal on its hands no matter at what date the war should close, and it was with this view that a special clause was inserted in the contract between the Internal Marketing Division and the growers providing for such a happening. “The United States Joint Purchasing Board does not have any direct contracts with the growers or processors, but obtains all of its supplies through the New Zealand Government, On the cessation of hostilities on August 15 it was quite impossible to determine how long it would be necessary to supply the military forces in occupation and demobilisation, but it was reasonably anticipated that supplies to the end of 1945 would be needed.

Settling With Government

“The American authorities have since indicated that they do not now require vegetables until the. end of the year and the Internal Marketing Division has consequently exercised its right to cancel all vegetables not planted and to dispose of the vegetables which had been planted but not able to be used by the military forces. The United States forces recognise their contract responsibilities in this matter and will settle with the New Zealand Governm “The division has made available to public markets everywhere in New Zealand where transport was practicable full supplies of cabbages, beetroot and cauliflower and will also make carrots available as they mature, so that the people will be able to procure at very cheap prices the surplus vegetables grown but now not required tor war needs. , „ “In regard to vegetables for feeding stock, which have been the subject of comment, the position is that after the markets have been satiated the United States authorities will accept responsibility for settlement only if they can certify that the material produced for them’for military purposes has actually been destroyed. Some farmers have been desirous of receiving compensation for their crops and then obtaining crops for feed to cattle without cost to them. “The United States board takes the reasonable view that, if produce is urgently necessary for cattle food, then it is worth some payment and arrangements have been made for the division to receive any reasonable offers from farmers for stock food, on which basis it will be made available to them. If it is of no value to the markets or for stock food, then the American authorities will certify as to its destruotion and will take responsibility for compensation to the New Zealand Government.

“Any farmers in districts where surpluses are available, such as Hawke’s Bay or Pukckohe, should make application to the Internal Marketing Division if they are desirous of purchasing surplus cabbage as stock food. “The suggestion has been made that the division should continue to dehydrate these surpluses and up to the present the dehydration factories have been carrying out this function. However, I have previously mentioned that, although dehydrated vegetables have been offered to UNRRA, the Netherlands East Indies, to the British forces in the Pacific and India and to other overseas food agencies, no response has been received for dehydrated vegetables, even though it has been made abundantly clear that the price asked for by the New Zealand Government is not of major importance. Fresh Vegetables for Royal Navy

“The division is at present in touch with the Polish authorities through the HWh Commissioner in London, but so far" no answer has been received. It has been pleasing to note that the Royal Navy has been able to utilise some of the fresh vegetables, including potatoes, but here again it is doubtful whether they will want any more after the first shipment in January. “I feel it desirbale to make this statement so that there shall be no misunderstanding of the position and that New Zealand will continue to work on the nolicy that, where perishable foodstuffs such as vegetables can be properly processed and preserved, they will be made available to countries in need. The division has provided the C.0.R.5.0. party shortly leaving for Greece with supplies of dehydrated vegetables for their use. ■ln the meantime we will continue to supply the local markets with all they can absorb.”