The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1944. RISK OF CEREAL SHORTAGE.

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1944. RISK OF CEREAL SHORTAGE.

This country, as well as Australia, is coming in for commendation from American spokesmen on account of the assistance, particularly in the way of foodstuffs, and small marine craft, which has been afforded for the forces of the United States in the Pacific. As regards food, however, these expressions of appreciation alike by President Roosevelt, Staff Chiefs, and Press representatives, may have been prompted as much by a regard for future tvar requirements as for those which New Zealand has met in the past. The expectation possibly is that the war with Japan in itlie coming year will entail the need of even a greater food supply than during the past year. Some months ago the Government announced that it would subsidise the raising of root and either crops to the extent of £5 per acre, a guarantee prompted no doubt by this prospect of our primary produce coming into still greater demand overseas. In addition to the American forces, both the United Kingdom and ithe U.N.R.R.A. have placed New Zealand under a moral obligation to augment such production. But since the subsidy was promised, the situation has undergone a grave alteration. The drought in Australia is responsible for this. Jt means a very considerable curtailment in the supply of livestock, and even a greater reduction in that of cereals. In such a plight Australia obviously will be unable to supply us with slock foods as it has done in all of .'the Avar years to the present. Next winter’s stock requirements here cannot at all be met by imports from the Commonwealth, which, insilead may be anxious for anything that New Zealand might be able to spare. Our sheep and cattle may not be much affected, but'pig raisers in the Dominion cannot ignore the effects of the misfortune of the sister country. Australia during the current, year has supplied New Zealand with two hundred thousand sacks of barley and barley meal, most of which has been used for pig raising. In addition there has this year been thirteen thousand tons of Australian Avhcat meal imported largely for the same purpose. Next year such a supply will be lacking. Canterbury wheat farmers recently discussed their particular position, with tile result that they demanded from the Government an early announcement as to what it would be ready to do to encourage a larger sowing of cereals, especially wheat. It was as good as stated that the farmers want a further increase in their guaranteed price before they will be prepared to grow extra cereals. To what degree they wish the Government to go in raising the guarantee was not stated, but it was affirmed that a price increase was the only condition on Avhich there would be a crop increase. Noav it will generally be agreed that, at least in seeking an early announcement of next season’s price, the farmers were justified, and it will also be admitted that if a higher price is essential, the- Government must grant it. Over this particular ' aspect of the matter, nobody has any control except the cereal growers and the Government; but there is another aspect which concerns farmers in areas other than those where wheat, oats and barley are raised. For the ensuing summer those . raising livestock and especially pigs may not have much about Avhich to worry, but next winter is a period which requires immediate consideration. Root and other crops, such as are guaranteed the subsidy of £5 per acre, ought now to be planned, and in due course planted. In fact, it behoves everybody to be alive to Ithe unfortunate situation to Avhich the Australian drought is giving rise. Root or vegetable crops of all available kinds should in the coming season be planted to the maximum. Every grower will assist to relieve 'the demand on available supply. Producers are] warned by the Pig Marketing. Association that all who caul should forthwith take steps be-! fore it is too late to provide rood and other/crops for their own 1

requirements. If they are able to do so, they probably will be well repaid by a more buoyant market for their pigs and other products. Pig raisers may avail themselves of the subsidy on root and other fodder crops by applying to the District Pig Councils. Moreover, •were the custom of increasing fodder supplies by means of such cropping once to be properly established, it might be found permanently payable even without any subsidy. A good crop of any dimensions should be worth so much as to make a difference of £5 per acre almost a negligible thing, although at the outset it should prove a very helpful provision. The co-operative pig marketing enterprise is incidenally one of the most, commendable in our rural economy, the officers of the Association being ever alive to their obligations, jmd experience is convincing the members of the advantages of combination. In the existing circumstances, however, th(?Te is a call for individual no less than for collective initiative, and producers Avill do well to heed the advice that they should seek the subsidy and rely to the maximum on growing their fodder supply for -the coming year.