PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 132, 6 May 1941, Page 5

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

COUNCIL AGGRIEVED. (Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, May 5 '•According to recent information, I do not think this council can do anything at all," stated Mi S. 1. Crookes, president of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when tendering his resignation as a member of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production at its meeting to-day. "I do not feel that we are getting anywhere, and there are many other directions- in which 1 can more usefully give my time and services," he added.

At a later stage the chairman (Mr R. C. Clark) asked members whether they thought the council could serve any useful function by continuing in office. He pointed out that the council had been set up to stimulate production but that function had largely disappeared under the altered conditions in regard to the export of produce. "I am deeply concerned about certain' statements that are reported to have been made in "Wellington," continued Mr Clark. "It has been said that the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. J. G. Barclay) is not seized with the importance of the work of the National Council of Primary Production and that the council has ceased to have any power at all. Do you think we should cease to exist, or should we a6k the Minister what is to be the policy for the council in future?" Mr C. A. Sexton: "I understand that the national council has not had a meeting since February. One would have thought it should have been meeting frequently in view of the problems before the industry." The chairman said in his conversations with the Director of Primary Produce (Mr 11. 13. Tennent) he had formed the opinion that the director and the authorities were not very enthusiastic about the councils and their functions. It was decided to request the director to place the council's views before the Minister and seek his instructions as to its future activities.