EFFICIENCY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17666, 19 December 1917, Page 9

EFFICIENCY.

CANTERBURY INDUSTRIES. FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. The first annual meeting of the General Council of tho Agricultural, Pastoral and Dairying industries in the Canterbury military district, in connection with the National Efficiency Hoard, was opened yesterday at tile Chamber of Commerce hall. There was a large attendance of delegates and guests at the lunchion which preceded the formal opening of the conference, tho Mayor, Mr H. Holland, presiding. Among those present were Mr W. Ferguson, chairman of the Efficiency Board, and Mr J. A. Frostick, Canterbury Commissioner, Colonel R. A. Chaffey, Mr J. .1. Corry, Mayor of Blenheim, and Mr Maling, Mayor of Timaru. Brief speeches accompanied the toasts honoured after the luncheon. In proposing “ King and Empire,” the Mayor welcomed the. visiting delegates to the city, and offered to. do anything he con’d to make their visit enjoyable He said that the council would have many important matters to discuss in connection with national efficiency. He would take that opportunity to direct attention to the rapid manner in which the native forests were disappearing; it was the duty of all public men to assist- in reafforestation schemes. They must consider those who were to come after them, and it was not just for the present generation to use up the native forests. Another important question was the waterpower of the Dominion. Christchurch had the opportunity of enjoying some of the advantages waterpower could confer on a community, with the Lake Coleridge hydro-elec-tricity supply. At the time of the coal strike on tho West Coast, he had been asked if it were advisable to save coal locally by forbidding electric light signs, reducing the lighting of the streets, and reducing the tram service, but he had replied that tfuch reductions were unnecessary, owing to the hydro-electric facilities. Such electric power could be of great aid to the manufacturer, and was an important factor iu the saving of the coal supplies. Tho Christchurch Tramway Board and the City Council had saved the State 40.000 tons of coal last year. That coal, worth £IOO,OOO, had been saved for use on the transports-, or by tho community in general. The farmer was also interested, owing to the Bcliem -s of extracting nitrogen from tho atmosphere depending on their practical access to cheap electricity. It was also proposed to start a new industry at New Brighton, by the installation of a marine salt plant, which would enable the salt to bo prefaced at about one-third of the present freight charges, saving not only valuable shipping space but over £IOO,OOO annually. It was to be hoped that nothing would bo allowed to stand in the way of the new industry. The question of agricultural tractors was exercising the minds of farmers and others in many parts of the Empire.. He had been. authoritatively informed that the petrol-driven tractors had been a complete failure in England. , _ Colonel Chaffey, in response to the toast, expressed patriotic sentiments and said that it was an honour to attend and to be on the job they were on, namely, national .efficiency and ■to help to win the war. He saw it more clearly every day that they were wasting eiierges. Organisation was necessary,. and he believed that if farms were worked together the labour supply would he made more efficient. Mr Corry proposed “ National Industry,” nnd said that ‘he local industries could be regarded .. ith increasing respect. Before the war Now Zealand held a record for exports in proportion to population, and since the war started the totals had gone up by leaps and bounds. Primary products' were of course their leading industry, 80 “■ per cent of tho exports being made of such products. They should wisely prepare for the future, and he ready to pay for the Dominion’s share in the war. The time had come when the Dominion should consider the. extension of its manufacturing industries. They owed the national prosperity at present to the high prices of the primary, products, but these would not remain at the snmo level after the war. i.he country called as novor befoio to its patriots. Ho hoped to see a more vigorous closer settlement policy revived with a special view to-tho repatriation of soldiers. He could congratulate the people of Canterbury on the increase of the production of lucerne. The quinnat salmon also nvglit p.ove to be the basis of a national industry. He urged completing the railway backbone 0 f the South Island and the linking up with the Marlborough Sounds, destined to be the naval base of the Dominion in the future. The relations of the State and manufacturers would have to he recast in view of the from the war. In conclusion Mr Cony pleaded for a better chance toi the W °The r Mayor of Timaru (Mr Maling) fTg nd tlmm ai werrhow h to fc placoTthe Teturned soldier on the laud to provide for the payment of the national share of tho cost of tho war without • educing the present standard of living. Thev should set about developing the 'rirln<;t”iei necessary for their well-being and make them less . dependent onunportations. Ho believed that hydroffictricity held great promise for the future. It was electrical powei .that had helped Germany. It tlmywgied New Zealand to prosper, organisation and co-operation were necessary. no did not thins toe present banking system was sufficiently helpful to tiddus. Tho main essential tor a banker seemed to bo to know how to say No politely. (Laughter.) Mr \V. Ferguson and Mr Frostick were accorded musical honours before the former responded to th 0 toast. He said that New Zealand could be congratulated on all the people being workers; there were very lew who had not earned any repose they might be enjoying. That, capacity to woik, and tho climate, were main factors in the national prosperity. The exports, however, had not during the past ten years kept’ progress with the growth of the national and municipal debt's. Some scheme must bo evolved to increase the exports of tho country and to improve national industries. Scientific research would b 0 able to give its aid; the board at present had a scheme with that in view under consideration. He hoped that the counoil would support a demand that the Government should spend money on industrial and agricultural scientific research. The population of th e Dominion must be increased. Tho children must be kept healthy, and a country life was the most healthy for them. The citizens must be induced to go to" the country. More village settlements with small industries should be instituted, and a healthy race of men and women would bo raised. Country people must be given more of the comforts of city life. (Hear, hear.) After a snort adjournment, tli© conference was formally opened by the readihg of a presidential address by. the Commissioner, Mr Frostick.

fHE COMMISSIONER’S ADDRESS. The Commissioner said that it afforded him very great pleasure to meet representatives from tlie committees. The movement was a new one, but was of the greatest importance to the Dominion ir. general and to their districts in particular. ‘The Efficiency Board had been entrusted with very important duties, although purely in an advisory capacity to the Government, with unrestricted poivers of investigation. The organisation of the country to meet the military situation was one ot it* duties, and, ' 4

board in charge of the Canterbury military district, he was proud to be able to say that the people in that district had responded to. the Imperial call for men in a manner second to none in the Dominion- The Committees ov Advice in every district had performed their duties without fear or favour and the organisation was now working Very satisfactorily. Tt was recognised by the Government and by the general public that a very large number of farmers in the Canterbury district who controlled areas capable of producing wheat pat aside their personal advantages. and increased the 'area, for wheat culture as far as it was possible to do. In doing so they faced the labour prob lem which the increased cultivation of wheat intensified, relying first on .their own efforts to meet whatever situation might arise, and secondly on receiving the help of a sufficient number of volunteers to make up whatever deficiency might exist with regard to labour for harvest operations. The time fo appeal had not arrived, but he was sure if the farmers would co-operate and help each other as far as cucumstances permitted, the difficul y be fully met. If it was found that further help was. needed, they shoulJ get into touch with the District U ™ n mittees as soon as posable, so that . appeal might be made to the people t the necessary help. w- a _ The organisation of the tional Efficiency Board established simply fo. tho P P of meeting tho military situatmn but also for promoting national efficiency, boll during and after the. war Ho hoped that as a result of the hist an nu a I conference there would beeta 0 s- s CnatSs teodfUloil* cajW This country, by the natural preens. isJaaßSg it tn meet the taxation incidental to Ihe additional debt, hut now a heavy war burden rested upon the pool o which heavy as it was to-day, mijit easily’bo < mblod before tbo war ended Thev mini, not measure their abtoty to meet their obligations by the maiket conditions of to-day. Meat, wool, but ter, cheese, indeed, all tho main linn of production, might and would fall in price. The liability side of the national balance-sheet could not bo reduced except by the creation of additional, assets. Therefore, production must be increased. It could, he believed, be doublod, and that belief was basod upon tho results accomplished m other countries where scientific methods were adopted. Th 0 necessary taxation must be met, and it could only, be met by those who possessed tho ability to pay. Land was tho one tiling which could not disappear. Manufacturing industries might. by economic pressure,' become entirely wiped out, and, in the process of wiping out, tens of thousands o taxpayers would disappear, who hither - to shared the national burden, bua they, through no fault of their own, had to leave it to bo shouldered and -provided for bv the products of, toe land. Henry George,- the founder of the single-tax theory, contended tr.a-u nothing°mado by man should bo taxed at all, but that the land should pay it all. The author of that system was first a printer, then *n editor, tlwn a theorist, but neve' a farmer. Ho .mentioned that for the purpose of emphasising the nccejrity for .a largo increase in the population of the country, and because no cl os'* of the. community was so’ vitally interested in, the population problem as tho farming community. If bv nnv means our population could be doubled, it would not. add one pennv -to the country’s liabilities, but would onormoi’isly increase the assets. Well educated and scientifically trained men were the greatest assets any country could possess. There were hundreds of ways in which they might improve their own position, and in doing so add to tho nation’s wealth. The country soon would be face to face with a most gigantic economic struggle, and it would need oil tho strength they possessed to meet it, but if they faced those things in the spirit of cooperation and true comradeship thev would not onlv hold their own, but also make their country attractive to tons of thousands of other people who would come to us and help us in thp building a new Britain in the south, which would reflect credit on the builders of this and succeeding generations. On the motion of Mr Corry a vote of congratulation and thanks to Mr Frostick for. his able address was agreed to with acclamation.

The roll was called, about fifty delegates answering their names. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Frostick was the only nomination for the post of president of the council. and ho was declared elected. It was agreed that the time for receiving nominations for the general executive should be extended to fourteen days. SUBDIVIDING THE AREA. Colonel M’Konzie (Geraldine) moved: That tho Canterbury military district be divided into three sub-districts as follows: (1) Marlborough, Nelson and 'Westland; (2) North Canterbury; (3) Sou'll Canterbury. That at the annual or special meeting of the General Council, throo members bo appointed, one from each sub-dis+riot, to form a Counci 1 of Advice to the Commissioner; that these three members be responsible to tho Genera] Council that all matters affecting the primary industries as carried on in tho Canterbury military district are properly prepared and placed bci’ore the National Efficiency Board, thus enabling tno farming and pastoral interests to bo organised in «• praptical and solid manner. The Commissioner to have the right to appoint one member, but not to have any- right of veto in tho selection made by tho Goueral Council of one representative from each ol tho three Territorial sub-districts.

In the discussion that followed opinions were expressed that it would he a mistake to have too many committees. .Mr Frostick suggested that the remit be referred to the incoming executive for consideration. Mr Hi F. Nicliol suggested that the remit should be withdrawn and that tho executive should be instructed to appoint a special advisory committee of three. A motion on the lines of the suggestion was adopted unanimously.

THE LABOUR SHORTAGE. Mr J. Talbot moved:— That the Permanent Executive Council shall, at an early date, consider and report upon the noccssity. t’er the moro efficient organisation .of labour in tho agricultural, pastoral nnd dairying industries in tho Can'erbury military district-, and to investigate recent methods adopted in older countries in ’•espcct to such labour with tho view of making tho agricultural, pastoral and dairying industries in Now Zealand moro attractive to— . ‘(1) Persons with small capital; s /a\ p el -sons who work for wages. Suc!h ren°H to be referred to tho Commtte sioner’s Advisory Council, and if approved, to bo ciroula'ed to all Committees of Aof vice in the Canterbury military district. Committees of Advice to bo invited to make suggestions as to modification or amendmon‘ suck modifications or amendments to be considered by the Permanent Executive, who will submit to tho Commissioner s Advisory Council for final- decision and adoption.

Mr Brown, Agricultural Department, R aid that* it was a matter for each district, who should advise the board of the labour position jp each district. He had hom'd of instances of boys from the high schools being refused em- . Garrick said that regarding boys from the high schools working on

the farms these lads wanted too much looking after and also top high wages. The tamers had qiiito enough to do without having to “spoon-feed” the boys from high schoois. , If the lads were content with the usual facilities provided they could easily be placed. Mr Coi'ry endorsed the previous speaker’s views. Mr Nichol said that he was employing two high school lad 3. They were not specially catered for in any shape or form; v They were paid, Is an hour and found. They fed with the men and had the usual sleeping quarters. They had no previous experience of farming, but they had given entire satisfaction, and ho would like to keep them on as permanent hands. In reply Mr Talbot said that he thought it would be almost impossible to employ women on the farms, owing to the conditions. It would be all right if the women were staying with lelations in the country. Women, of course, could do the work, but if tjiey would not undertake housework in the country was it likely that they would undertake harvesting? The farmers would have to spread the harvesting over a longer time and to work together. Regarding bov labour, that flight to prove successful if the boy liked farm work.

Mr C. If. Ensor said that he agreed it was impossible for tho ordinary women in the towns to go out and do farming, partly ,owing to the accommodation difficulties. But they could relieve tho farmers’ wives of housework. It would do some of the town ivomen good to go to the country—and learn a little housework. (Laughter.) *

Mr C. Anderson (The Sounds) urged the conscription of labour. They had. ho said, conscripted everything else, but were afraid of labour. Farmers were doing very well just now, and were prepared to pay proper wagesThey did not desire “ sweated ” labour.

Mr J. Connolly (Geraldine) said that business men iu his town had volunteered to close their businesses for two or three days to help in the harvesting. That was the best plan to deal with the harvest, which threatened to be seriously interfered with by the shortage of labour. Mr Frostick said that he did not think it was yet necessary to have enforced labour. Conscription for the State was very different from forcine a man to labour so that another could make profits. (Hear, hear.) The Women’s National Reserve was willing to undertake work which was previously done by men, but generally speaking the members did not want to do housework so that the farmers’ wives could do the field work. He endorsed the idea of getting business men to volunteor. The ’ resolution was agreed to unanimously. • NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. Mr C. J. Talbot, M.P., moved;— That this General Council approves of the principle of co-opcrativo effort amongst primary producers, and requests the Permanent Executive Council to prepare a report upon tho whole question of co-opera-tion in production. „ , , ... . (1) That data bo collated, obta-inablo through tho National Efficiency Board or other sources, as to tho mothods of 00-oppration adopted in other countries, also statistics showing the effects of co-operative effort upon volume of output and cost of production. (2) To consider and report upon co-opera-tion in production of industries, subsidiary to farming proper, such as booLooping, fruit-growing, poultry, etc. (3) The luost economica} method of dealing with the same. ■ . (4) To cousider and report upon tho waste products of the farm and bow thoy .can bo utilised^ to the greatest economic anct scientific advantage. Tile mover said that production must bs maintained. Farmers favoured cooperation, rather than outside labourMuch injustice had been done by farm ei's. Who employed their sons by not ■paving them adequate, if any, wages, but vet-this family co-operation should be one of tho most economical devised. Working men could combino and purchase threshing plants, etc., but hitherto there had been a lack of co-opera-tTpn in such ventures..' State enterprise wa-s getting, a strong hold m the country, and he believed m it, and thought that, after tho war, it would irrow. Bat it had its limits and draw backs- There- was a large field for cooperative farming among returned soldiers. This was an age of combination, ancl -farmers must drop their individualistic tendencies. . Mr Anderson seconded the motion. Mr B. Jones said that the only way to increase and cheapen production was by farming in largo areas. Subdividing large grain areas would increase the cost of production, and as far as officient co-operation was concerned farmers at the present time wore doing their utmost. x The resolution was agreed ro unanimously, LABOUR FOR HARVEST. At the evening session Mr R. Evans congratulated the Commissioner on the good work of the Efficiency Board, and added t-hat there was every prospect ot a bumper harvest. The labour question was acute. He moved

That tho board request tho Government 1° rnrTV nut tho promise made by the Hon w. D S MacDonald that if tho Canterbury farmers nut in the wheat tho Government S provido the labour to harvest it and a-lso that an appeal be made fetr volunteers •among business men of Canterbury to assist in the harvest. Mr W. F. Oheverton recalled some interesting experiences and said that ho did not take a pessimistic view of the labour supply. Mr D. Jones seconded the motion, and said that although the v.omcn and rids could have harvested the wheat last year they would not be able to do so this year as the crops were much heavier. This year 250,000 acres of wheat had to be harvested, and about six million bushels of wheat m Canterbury would be at the mercy of the weather for the summer months. He thought the labour supply would prove a very difficult problem. The city men should get together and evolve some sehomo to help. It was not for the farmer to tell tho city man what business was essential and what was not. The farmers might bo able to get in this harvest, hut what about the u e xt season? Ho wished to emphasise that much labour would bo required for the harvest, especially if broken weather was experienced. Mr Frostick said that he would arrani'c for meetings to ho held in all tho" leading towns iu Canterbury so that the people c.onld realise the need for labour for harvesting, and appeals could bo made to them to help to gather the food they needed. The Mayor said that the City Conncil was willing to release its employees for temporary work in tho country, but the farmers must approach tho council first. The men could not bo expected to go round looking for work. He did not think the position -so serious as was made out. If many men had pono to tho war many had returned, and the Returned Soldiers’ Association should be approached by the farmers. Tbo motion was agreed to unanimously. THE USE OF TRACTORS. Mr E. J. Grigg read a paper on farming machinery capable of increasing production and reducing cost-. He compared the cost of the horse to tho work it could perform with the cost and capabilities of tractors, to the great disadvantage of the animal. Mr Frostick moved :

That, tho executive be asked to collect full information as to tho latest agricultural machinery in urn in Great Britain, Canada and America and Allied countries, the use l'or which tho machinery was suitable, the coat, and the most suitable motive power, such report to bo referred to the' Ccmmiseictner’s Advisory Council, and if approved to bo circulated, to the Committees of Advice throughout tho Canterbury Military District. Mr R. M. Morten continued the discussion and pointed out some of the disadvantages of motor ■ and steam tractors. Ho regarded hydro-electric-ity as tho best moans for labour saving-

Mr Ensor said that tractor would work well on the light plains, but

would not work on title hilly country. Nor would ho recommend it for small farms. He had two years’ experience and believed that the tractor would come, but it was uo use hurrying the time for it. On suitable country the tractor was oheaper than horses. The motion was agreed to unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS. Dr Hilgendorf gave an interesting address on scientific ' farming. Ho urged the great importance of pure seeds, and the necessity for experiments extending dver a period, and not to judge results from a season’s crop. Mr G. H. Holford gave an address on “The Boy on the Farm.” Ho said that the exodus irora the country to the towns must be arrested by making conditions in the country more attractive. Ho suggested the establishment of rural high schools, the duties on a farm made more attractive to a boy, the receipt of an adequate wage, and provision for healthy recreation and social intercourse. Mr J. Brown also gave an interesting address. Votes of thanks were agreed to unanimously to Dr Hilgendorf and Messrs Holf.ord and Brown. The meeting adjourned till 9 a.m. on the following day.