THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1946. FOOD PRODUCTION POLICY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32713, 15 May 1946, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1946. FOOD PRODUCTION POLICY

The Prime Minister has given an emphatic assurance that the world shortage of food, particularly animal fats, is real and grave. He was answering a deputation representing farmers, returned servicemen and the Church which asked for the fa'cts of the situation. Mr Fraser also gave the assurance that the Government would welcome a scheme for increasing produ'ction which the deputation suggested might be formulated by a conference of the Federation of Labour, transport workers, the chambers of commerce and the farmers. Mr Fraser suggested that these parties would be invited to confer.

Having been assured that stories of the shortages were not imaginative, Mr H. M. Rushworth said that New Zealand then was not “pulling its weight in the biggest problem that humanity has had to face.” He wished to know whether the Government would give sympathetic consideration to a scheme which could be drafted by the proposed conference. There was criticism concerning the delay to food ships and 1 in and settlement and a request for a “clear voice” from the Government and improved) co-operation by all concerned in the production of food. Much good might result from, an effort to secure united action in the manner proposed.

Agreement was evident on the need for the prompt transport of food to the countries affected by famine. Another constructive suggestion was made by Mr Fraser that the grain-growing areas should be extended. He mentioned) that wheat of good milling quality had been grown in Rangitikei. He might have added that grain could be grown successfully in many other parts of New Zealand where at present there is a common but often erroneous belief that it cannot be done. The truth is that New Zealand, and particularly its Government, is not sufficiently agriculture - minded, strange though that statement may seem. It has understandably concentrated upon those products which give the best return for a given measure of enterprise.

Only a few days before meeting the deputation Mr Fraser had said: “The claim that our people can find employment in the primary producing industries is ridiculous,” which was not a happy augury from the official 1 point of view for a campaign to increase the production of foodstuffs for which the world is crying. New Zealand in fact exports more food per head of the population than any other country, largely because it is favoured by nature and has a sturdy and progressive rural population. But it can and will produce far more abundantly yet if the necessary encouragement is given to the primary industries. This is one highly important aspect that should engage the attention of the food conference which it is suggested should be called to meet the present emergency. Are food production and distribution hampered by official policy ? Not deliberately, it may be said, but what is the effect?