GOVERNMENT WILL SUBSIDISE HIGHER COSTS OF HARVESTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22664, 15 June 1948, Page 6

GOVERNMENT WILL SUBSIDISE HIGHER COSTS OF HARVESTING

FLOOD-DAMAGED MAIZE CROPS

j WELLINGTON, June 14. “In response to an appeal made by the Federated Fanners, Gisborne, and following a close investigation of all the circumstances, the Government has agreed to subsidise the increased costs of harvesting the heavily-silted and damaged maize crops on the Gisborne flats,” said the Minister of Marketing, Mr. E. L. Cullen, today.

“The saving of as much as possible of the crops is of great importance to the poultry industry, for which the maize is so urgently required, and many of these damaged crops can only be harvested at very considerable expense. “It has, therefore, been decided that a subsidy be granted beyond the normal picking cost of Is a bushel —which will be borne by the grower—up to, where necessary, a further 4s per bushel. “This subsidy will be paid by the Marketing Department on behalf of the Government on the recommendation of a committee consisting of Mr. V. G. A. Hall, of the Marketing Department, chairman. Mr. H C. Chamberlain, of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Stuart McGuinness, of Federated Farmers, Mr. G. W. Armstrong, for the maize-growers, Mr. J. G. A. McGregor, chairman of the Gisborne Grain Merchants’ Association, and Mr. J. H. Flowers, of the Department of Maori Affairs. “Growers who are having difficulty harvesting their maize should contact the members of this committee and submit detailed costs of harvesting. “A special appeal to the Maoris in the East Coast areas to come forward and help in the harvesting of maize at the award wages of 25s per day under the present urgent conditions is being made by the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, and it is hoped that the next four weeks will see the job completed, subject to favourable weather conditions. “It is hoped to arrange that where there are any special transport difficulties for the labour requirements some Army lorries will be made available.”