FOOD SUPPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1940, Page 6

FOOD SUPPLY

INCREASED PRODUCTION URGED (Per Press Association —Copyright). AUCKLAND, May 20. Contending that many New* Zealanders were living in a fool’s paradise, and that it was not the time lor anything but deadly serious action,, Colonel N. I’. Adams, of Clevedon, emphasised the neees. ity for the legislative powers that Would ensure the Dominion's potentialities being exploited to their utmost in the war emergency at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production. The rationing of produce in New Zealand was bite of the measures he advocated. Colonel Adams referred to the absence of any lead from the Government to giiide primary - production councils, add to the lack of authority to enable it's recommendations to be carried out. With the supply of produce from Denmark and’ tlie Low Countries no longer available to Britain, the position was made all tlie more serious, and there was need for the Government to state what the United Kingdom needed front tlie Dominion. With that information available authorities such as the council and farmers themselves' would know where thev stood.

“Unfortunately, we lack power behind us to do very nuicli,” he said. “We are capable of Undertaking, and anxious to do the work of increasing production; but, we have not the authority to see that it is carried out. Why should not fat lambs' be held over for ultimate export as mutton, - and calves retained either for dairy production or for beef. These are products that Britain needs. It is no time for finer feelings, and if indi- 1 vidua 1 producers should be hurt they are hurt in the vital cause of tlie Empire. The Government must be urged to act: - “Foodstuffs wene needed at once in Britain - to an extent - greater than New Zealand could produce. He strongly suggested that the people of the' Dominion should be rationed' for : in this way some thousands cf tons of additional produce’ could be sent to tlie United Kingdom. Its loss in the Dominion would scarcely be "felt. If there were some who 1 would riot fall in with such a scheme, they did not deserve the protection of the Empire, arid he'did not care a hoot about them.

It was decided to urge the Govern-' ment to take powers at once to introduce machinery to carry' out the advice of' production councils. It was also agreed to ask the National’Counci) to invite representatives from each district council to a - special meeting, at which primary production’''ih the light of recent events could be discussed. 1 > • ■■ ■