The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. WEDNESDAY, APRAL 9, 1919. NEED FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 9 April 1919, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. WEDNESDAY, APRAL 9, 1919. NEED FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION.

The shortage of wool in Europe has resulted in very keen competition at the sales in London which opened early this month,- and record prices have been obtained for New Zealand clips. Although the position is satisfactory from the growers' point of view, it is clear that the cost of tweeds and cloths is unlikely to fall in the near future, and in this respect the cost of living cannot be expected to fall as rapidly as some people may expect. The European countries have been forced to use enormous quantities of wool for manufacturing clothing for the armies, and the civilian needs could not be adequately supplied. Belgium and Northern France suffered from the acute shortage, and with their release from German control a serious problem confronts the other Allies in the matter of providing the civilians with clothing and food. Had the demobilisation of the armies not begun soon after the armistice was signed the task would have been heavy enough, but soldiers returning to civilian life have added enormously to the difficulties. In addition, the woollen industries of Belgium and France cannot be resumed until supplies of the raw material are available. It is, therefore, easy to understand why there has been such a demand at the first open sales since the war ended. We doubt if the future will find competition less keen; in fact, if buying, either direct or indirect, for the enemy Powers is permitted, it is probable that the demand will be even greater than on this occasion. Foodstuffs are also greatly sought after, though with the return of the various European countries to normal conditions there should be a gradual easing of the position. The British Dominions, along with America and the Argentine, are looked to to supply these demands, and there rests upon them a responsibility which from highest motives should be readily accepted. Every pound of wool, every carcase of beef and mutton, and every ounce of butter and cheese that can be shipped to the Old World will find a ready sale. New Zealand has helped splendidly in sending forward large quantities of wool and foodstuffs, but with the return of the soldiers during the year and' the prospect of more labor being available there are hopes that this country will be able to produce more than in the past, and next season should find a great improvement in the amount of shipping space available. The Acting-Minister of Finance has explained that the cessation of hostilities has not relieved the Dominion of the necessity of raising another war loan, and the greater part of the money can be raised only through the producing industries. The farmer has two duties to perform; he must expend his energies in raising as much wool and as large a quantity of foodstuffs as possible to help in clothing and feeding the people of Britain and Europe, and he must, as far as he is able, help the Dominion to find the money needed to meet the country's responsibilities. Of course, a duty rests upon all the people, who should endeavor to prevent waste, and by thrift and an economical use of money place themselves in a position to take some share in the loan. We hope that, as there is a return to normal condition, there will be a steady increase in our products and a closer settlement of the country districts, so that prosperity may continue and the burden of taxation due to the war may within a few years become much lighter. Increased production, as is well known, provides the only solution to the difficult years that are ahead. The problems of the future are too serious to permit of extravagant ease and unreasonable luxury and the waste which so often accompanies them. We are all called upon to build up our strength, and by every possible means restore and reconstruct our nation and Empire and make good the losses which the war has entailed.