PRODUCTION COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 3

PRODUCTION COUNCIL

REVIEW OF WORK. DIRECTOR’S ADDRESS. A comprehensive review of what was being done by the National Council of Primary Production and the problems facing- it in its endeavours to secure a greater volume of production as the Dominion’s contribution to the wiueffort was given by the director of that organisation (Mr R. B. Tennent), at a meeting of the District Council of Primary Production held at Diannevirke, this week. After outlining the establishment and purposes of the National and District Councils of Primary Production, Air Tennent said the question had been asked, as to what the National Council was doing to bring about its objective of greater production. In reply, lie would say that many of the large number of problems facing the council had been fully discussed with a view to eliminating some of the disabilities that were retarding an expansion in the industry. Information received from the district councils had been of the greatest assistance. Some thought results were not being gained quickly enough, hut he reminded his hearers that in’a task of the magnitude of the one involved progress would naturally be slow. Increased production would not be brought about by some spectacular move iieing made, but could only be accomplished by the individual efforts of fanners to improve conditions on their farms and attention to all matters making for greater efficiency. He was no believer in grandiose schemes to achieve the ultimate objective, but rather thought it was up to the farmers to do everything- they possibly could to speed up production on their farms. One of the big questions of tile day was that of farm labour, and the Government had been asked to do something to alleviate the shortage. The survey carried out by the council last year had not disclosed a very serious or immediate labour shortage on farms. However, since the outbreak of war, some 4000 men had left farm work to enlist in the military forces. A serious position would arise if these men were not replaced, and ways and means of overcoming the difficulty were greatly exercising the minds of tho Government. Britain’s greatest need was undoubtedly men for the lighting services and they must realise that there was no way of stopping farm labourers from joining the colours. The question was how they were going to replace them. To increase production on the land they must hayc the necessary labour. NEED OF HOUSING. Air Tennent considered that the lack of suitable housing on farms for married men was the crux of the whole position. There were thousands of men on public works who had been trained for farm work, and tho National Council believed that if a scheme could be devised whereby housing suitable for married men could be provided on farms and such men taken off public works and re-established on the land, the labour problem would be almost solved. Representations had been made to the Government to recruit men from public works and other occupations for the larms and if this were carried out it would he all to the good for the stability of the industry. Referring to the rural housing scheme, the 'sneaker said that this had not found" favour with all county councils, many of whom were unwilling to undertake the responsibilities involved. If more county councils would play an active part in this connection, the housing problem would in a large measure be solved. Another important matter with winch tho council had concerned itself was that of maintaining, the fertility of the country. Toil-dressing was necessary to the maintenance and expansion of production. Large quantities of the fertiliser used in New Zealand came from overseas —Europe and Northern Africa. These supplies were likely to become so costly ns to render their use economically impossible. However, the Government had oflered a subsidy which would stabilise the price of phosphates. In impressing upon the Government the importance of this matter, he considered that the National Council had done the farmers of New Zealand a valuable service. Air Tennent also emphasised the need lor stepping up the production of phosphates in New Zealand. There might be delays in delivery because of rush periods, but lie fell, sure the supply would lie sufficient to aeet requirements.

Stressing tlio need for more attention to pig raising, especially in view of Britain’s supplies of pork and baron from Denmark having been cut ofl, Mr Tennent said that 1,084,000 ])igs bad been killed in New Zealand in 1936. In -the following year the number had dropped to 901,000, and it bad steadily declined since. Farmers had a duty to Britain in the present crisis. Pig raising provided farmers with a means of considerably augmenting their incomes. As a result of negotiations instituted bv the council, farmers were now able to obtain barley at 3s 4d per bushel—the lowest price that had ever ruled in the Dominion. COMPETITION OF MAIIGABINE. It had lately been stated, the director said, that it would bo of no avail to organise a big drive for more butter .production because margarine'was rap idly taking the place of butter in England. Although margarine was' selling at 7d to 8d per lb in England as against Is (id and Is 7d for butter, it was bis opinion that margarine would never completely displace butter. Now with part of Britain’s normal buttei supplies cut off, the prospects for New Zealand butter were even brighter than before and farmers should therefore go all out to secure a greater volume of butter production. Other avenues through which the National Council had endeavoured to assist production mentioned by the speaker included its work aimed at rendering the Dominion self-sufficient in the matter of seeds for supplementary crops. New Zealand was now virtually deprived of supplies of rape, turnip and mangold seeds obtained from England and the Scandinavian States. Fortunately, this eventuality bad been anticipated ami lie was pleased to lie able to state that ill so far as rape was concerned the Dominion was now self-supporting as last year they bad produced enough'seed for the next season’s requirements. They were endeavouring to do the same in regard to turnips and mangolds. The speaker also touched briefly upon the efforts being put forth to produce greater quantities of linen fibre in New Zealand Results to date shewed that the industry was one with distinct possibilities, especially as tests bad proved that that the quality of fibre grown in New Zealand was very satisfactory.

Reverting to the method being employed to achieve higher production, Mr Tennent said there was nothing really spectacular that they could do. Nothing would please him better than to be able to announce something of this nature that would impress upon all the importance of the industry in

the present crisis, but lie regretted that he could not make such an announcement —increased production would only be accomplished along the lines they were at present pursuing in <jndeavouring to redouble the efforts and efficiency of the individual farmers. If the district council were going to maintain and extend production, the members must play their part by publicity and by losing no opportunity of stressing the necessity for it. He did not want members to feel they were wasting their time in attending the meetings, but reminded them that in sending proposals forward to the National Council they were doing good work. If the time should come when more urgent steps were indicated, then tiie organisation of the National Council of Primary Production would be there to take the task in hand.