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Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 8

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

(Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, -May 14. At a recent mooting of the National Council of Primary Production Hie Minister of Agriculture (Hon. J. 0. Barclay) complimented tho primary production organisations on tho valuable work which they had done in. the past. It was stated that the frequent changes in the export position, during the last few months had made it practically impossible to give the district councils speciiic tasks to undertake during that period, and the Minister said he appreciated the difficulties of tho councils under those conditions. In some respects the position was now slightly clearer. Sir Barclay expressed the wish of the Government that the National Council and the District Councils ol Primary ' Production should continue to function. Apart from any work they might have on hand, there were cer!*:n jobs they could do almost at once, and others of greater importance that they would very likely he asked to carry out during the year ahead. Though at the moment increased primary p-roduetion was required in only a few specific cases, that did not mean that the district councils would have nothing to do from now on. There would he problems of adjusting production in which the councils could be of real assistance. In any case, the whole organisation should bo preserved, as the future was still very uncertain and the district councils might bo required for special purposes at any time. Several members of the national council, including Messrs AV. W. Mmholland, W. E. Hale, and H. M. Christie, spoke in support of this view, which was accepted without debate. . , ~ The Minister summarised the production and export prospects for next vear in the moat and dairy industries, after which the council discussed fully fho directions in which primary production should be extended or modified during the 1941-42 season. 1 hei council recognised that, though the position was slightly clearer than it had been earlier, there was still a lack of precise and final information about some important phases. However, despite this it was considered advisable to proscribe a programme of production ba.sed on the limited knowledge available and viewed as subject to possible alterations arising lrom developments which could not now be foreseen.