The Times SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1940. On The Farming Front

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 254, 26 October 1940, Page 6

The Times SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1940. On The Farming Front

When the appeal for increased production was launched last July, we pointed out in these columns that insofar as any worthwhile contribution was made to Britain’s war effort, the vital period was one of 90 days, the three months now ending. This was so because during that time could be determined all that the Dominion could produce and ship to Britain to arrive there right to the end of 1941. Nothing has been since learned or found to change that opinion. There is, therefore, hut little now to be done except the quite important working out of plans and policies already adopted that can affect the supply of exports for all this season. The time has therefore arrived to review the position on our farming front. What are the prospects for any increase in production resulting from the great “Produce More” campaign? A frank answer i.iust be: Very slight. This, however, should bo coupled with explanations else the bald statement may give a false impression. Firstly, it is not to be interpreted that the farmers did not respond in spirit. Secondly, it is not suggested that no increases in production will be seen. Bather, there will be some gains, but these will be largely offset by losses elsewhere. And as to gains of major importance, seasonal conditions will have granted these as a bounty of Nature. Thus our dairy production promises to be well up, due to the wonderful spring following an easy winter. Automatically this will increase the bacon output. And then in our sheep farming, the wool output may be up 10 per cent, over last season’s clip—again a seasonal increase entirely. But from man-made efforts but little increase yet promises. True we hope to see a crop of good linen flax harvested, but that will at best add but 1 per cent, to the value of our exports. As for meats, the Director-General of Agriculture away back in June last, cautioned against over-optimism here, pointing out that last season’s output was an extremely high one, an all-time record. That which was in mind in our “90 vital days” message of July last was the growing of above normal areas of fodder crops to be fed off next summer and autumn, the saving of enlarged harvests of ensilage to some purpose and the keeping of many more pigs, all carried to good bacon weights. Those actions alone could materially increase this export season’s output. Thus alone could New Zealand aid Britain’s food position during 1941, this right to the end of that year, 14 months hence. From all we learn of the farming situation, not only in our own territory but elsewhere throughout the Dominion, there has been no pronounced enterprise exhibited on these lines. Barley provides a case in point. Wo understand that only £OOO acres of a planned 10,000 have been sown or are to be sown in this locality. Little evidence again is seen of largely extended fodder cropping, nor docs ensilage promise spectacularly. Is the farming community slackening? Most certainly not. The situation was one wherein they could do little beyond achievements of the past—a runner already “flat-out” for a long stretch cannot “crack on the pace.” Be it realised by the rest of the community—still after 14 months of war working a 40-hour week—that our farmers are working, and have for years worked, GO to 70 hours weekly. The farmer had no real assistance from any quarter to aid in more production. On the contrary, he has lost a large part of his manpower, given to serve in Ihe fighting forces, this of both master and man.

Then on the financial aspect he faces problems and trials. Our potato-growers have been left with unsold supplies on hand. The call for increased egg production promises a similar risk. Prospects for the meat producer are for a 10 per cent, reduction in price of beef and for a lower price for mutton and lamb owing to partial failure of the hide and pelt markets. Then, too, must both dairy and meat producers face a lessening of returns owing to increased wages and other costs in processing of their products for export. Aggravating the situation is the rise in cost of all materials and services secured to work the farms. Farming to-day is no easy game. Prices are at only a reasonable pre-war level, giving that gross income to be reduced by the aforesaid higher costs, to a less than pre-war income. This without consideration of the inescapable burden of taxes.

With a fair season the best that might be hoped for would be to see production maintained. Prospects for an extra good season now give promise of something a little better. We as a primary producing country are fortunate in this. Doubly so, as enabling us to fulfil a duty to the Motherland and also increase our sum of so orecious sterling funds.