PIG CROPS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32595, 11 July 1945, Page 5

PIG CROPS

QUESTION OF SUBSIDY FARMERS NOT SATISFIED BETTER PROCEDURE WANTED The question of the pig crop subsidy was again raised at the meeting of the Thamps District Council of Primary Production after a letter from the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. B. Roberts, appealing for more pig production to reach the total of 50,000 tons of meat aimed at for the season was read. In a resolution finally adopted, the feeling was not that the present subsidy system was at fault, but the method of administering it. It was decided, on the motion of Mr W. H. Cheale, to write to the National Council of Primary Production expressing dissatisfaction with the way in which the pig subsidy question had been handled, with the suggestion that it be put on a better business basis. The complaint concerned lack of information for the farmer, lack of inspection of crops,

lack of supervision in the starting and finality of crops and lack of advice to farmers about how the scheme should be worked. Prices of Pigmeats In referring this to the National Council -and the Minister of Agriculture, it will be stated that a straightout increase in the price of pigmeats would be preferable to the crop subsidy, in view of the way this had been administered. The question was raised by Mr W. Hamilton, who said farmers could not get the information they wanted and he thought someone should be appointed locally to give all the information necessary and also to go round and carry out inspections. He complained about inspections being conducted when farmers. were not at home, not having been notified. Mr Cheale said he was amazed to hear Mr Hamilton saying this, because a few meetings ago he had moved a resolution that the council should write away and get information about this and no one had seconded it. The chairman, Mr S. E. Hall, said Mr Hamilton, was away then. The Pig Councils were paid to carry out the work and he was not too favourably concerned about production councils taking over some of it. 1 Information Wanted “If we got more information, moye applications would be coming in, but farmers do not know what to do about it,” said Mr Hamilton. In pointing out dissatisfaction which existed, Mr W. Buchanan said he did not think farmers would crop next year; either that, or they would try to get an increase in the price of pigmeat. The chairman said he would agree 100 per cent with any motion criticising the Pig Council, but he did not feel inclined to come in to help another organisation which had not done its job. “We are prepared to help the Pig Council, but not when it falls down on what it is supposed to do,” he said.

After further discussion the motion was carried.