THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1943 EXPORTS DOWN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3252, 14 April 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1943 EXPORTS DOWN

In normal times the fact that exports in January were 26 per cent, less than in the first month of 1942 would have been regarded as a very serious development for the output of seasonal production is then about at its peak. To-day, however, the provision of shipping facilities presents the major difficulty, and there have been exceptionally heavy demands, for military pur-' poses, on the other side of the world which no doubt have limited the services here. The marked fluctuation will, therefore, not be serious provided production itself has not been heavily reduced, for with foodstuffs and raw materials in store awaiting shipment the position would rapidly be improved once shipping were again available. Recently the Minister of Agriculture stated that the output of dairy produce had declined by 7 per cent, when compared with the position a year ago, and continued dry weather in some important dairying districts threatens to reduce the output still further. Autumn production, because of the lack of grass, will probably be well below the average of recent years. Continued dry weather may also adversely affect the condition of the stock still to be sent to the meat works.

These are matters quite beyond the power of the producer to control and they serve to emphasise the importance of. making the average over a period of years the basis of individual and official policy. Rain is still urgently needed, for with the ground so warm there would probably be a growth of pasture that would do much to carry the stock through the winter months. It is by no means an easy task to maintain productive capacity in these days, with adverse weather conditions and the scarcity of fertilisers, but every effort must be made not only as a vital part of the war effort, but also as the basis of economic stability in the post-war period.