JOINT EFFORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22438, 19 September 1947, Page 4

JOINT EFFORT

PRODUCTION DRIVE COMMITTEE SET UP GISBORNE MAKES START All organisations handling primary produce in Gisborne and on the East Coast are to be asked to co-operate in a production drive. With this in view an aid-to-

Britain committee was set up at a meeting of the Gisborne Provincial Executive of the Federated Farmers yesterday.

Outlining the work carried out to date, the president of the Gisborne executive, Mr C. H. Williams, said there was a strong central committee in Wellington. Another committee had been set up by head office of the federation in Wellington to deal with the farming side of the problem and the provinces had been requested to form similar committees.

Mr Williams said it had been suggested that the old primary production council be reinstated, blit the federation took the view that its organisation was just as competent to undertake the work so far as farming was concerned. The provincial committee would ask branch executives to carry out their work in their several brandies. “I neeci not say anything about the necessities of the programme,” added Mr Williams. Mr W. F. Metcalfe said il was the flat land that could produce the additional food in the shortest time. Strenuous efforts should be made to grow more maize and barley and, in fact, more ot any crop going into the ground now. The Gisborne flats and similar land in the Waiapu could be utilised for the production of foodstuffs at short notice.

General Increase Wanted The president said it was not altogether true that the production of crops was the only increase possible in a short time. For instance, he said. 50 per cent of sheeps’ livers “went down the chute” because of fluke. Measures could be taken to prevent that wastage. The saving of fat on farms could be encouraged Mr E. M. Newton suggested that emphasis should be placed on fertiliser for second-class land and higher values for po -k. The price for fertiliser could be based on a graduated scale giving the utmost help to those farming sec-ond-class land People in Britain were not bothered about the type of meat as long as they got more meat, f icv wou'd welcome pork at lOild as much as they would welcome iamb. Every effort should be made to increase the production of pork and that could be done by taking sows from the fat pens and about to go forward in the 1501 b class and putting •hem to the boar. By the end of May or early June, in place of the 1501 b sows, there would be, say, eight 801 b porkers. Producers would be encouraged if the Government gave a higher price for the porker than for the baconer. The chairman thanked Mr Newton for his contribution to the discussion. Mr Newton said English visitors to the Dominion were amazed when farmers killed a sheep and one had remarked to him that a meat breakfast set before him was the equivalent of a ration for three people. It was decided that an aid-to-Britain committee be set up as representative of the provincial district. Mr Stuart McGuinness asked if any thought had been given to the inclusion of transport workers, butchers, and others on the committee to make it truly representative. They were all required to do their part in the production drive and without a combined effort the results might be affected. Complete Liaison Required Mr H. Cooper said complete liaison was required between the producers and others handling the produce. Mr Williams said the scope of the committee, had not been considered. Mr S D. Reeves said the central committee in Wellington would include representatives of all workers’ organisations and he believed that the central committee would probably direct that similarly representative committees be formed in all centres. The province had received its instructions from. Federated Farmers to set up a provincial committee representative of brandies of the federation. Mr McGuinness suggested that other organisations in Gisborne should be contacted making them aware that the federation was operating and inviting their co-operation. Mr Williams: Should we take the initiative with the formation of a general committee for the district? Mr Cooper said the federation, as representative of the producers, should show a lead. , ~ , . , Mr J. C. Watt, said it would be inadvisable to lose valuable time. In many cases transport workers had lazy, but he was sure much of the trouble was lack of organisation. Mr Williams drew attention to the forthcoming address of Mr H. E._Blyde, vice-president of the federation, in Gisborne on Wednesday next, and thought his suggestions could be awaited beiore any decision was reached. After a further short discussion, it was decided that a committee be formed consisting of the president, section chairmen, branch chairmen, plus otners by invitation to include representatives of the fruit, poultry, market g ard ® l \’ and maize industries, bee-keepers and departmental officers as required. _ It was decided also to communicate with other organisations in the district inviting them to contribute to the success of the production drive.