North Farmers’ Increased Production Committees

Northern Advocate, 29 May 1940, Page 3

North Farmers’ Increased Production Committees

PRACTICAL MEASURES DESIGNED IMMEDIATELY TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTION IN NORTHLAND OF FOODSTUFFS FOR BRITAIN V/ERE TAKEN AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NORTHLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION HELD AT WHANGAREI YESTERDAY. Delegates from every dairy company in the North were present, and gave unanimous support to the proposals. The move emanated from a conference of farmers and local bodies at Kaikohe on .Monday, when Mr. W. Grounds was appointed to present suggestion), then made to the dairy conference. The following resolution was carried unanimously yesterday: “This Association is of the opinion that, in view of the cutting off of dairy produce supplies from the Baltic States to Great Britain, the New Zealand Government lie urged to give the utmost support to the Northland Increased Production Committees which are being set up to stimulate rapidly increased export'production if the Government will provide the necessary financial support.”

In favour of this, a remit from Maungaturoto asking the Government to extend all facilities to enable the dairyfarmer to develop potential resources was withdrawn by Mr D. A. Finlayson. Immediate Action. The Kaikohe conference had been held with the purpose of seeing whether something could be done—and done quickly—to really increase production, said Mr Grounds. As Mr Morton, chairman of the N.D.A., had said in his opening remarks. it was hard to discern any actual benefits from measures already .taken to this end. The harvest of District Production Councils had been disappointments, resignations and realisation of their own impotence, Mr Grounds feared. Many of the proposals to stimulate production had been ridiculous and futile. In determining to make a practical approach to the problem, the farmers of tiie Far North had been fortified by the Government assurance that any finance necessary to secure an increase would be made available. Admittedly the position regarding the foodstuff requirements of the Motherland and the shipping position were somewhat obscure. Left in Dark. The position had not been clarified by the Minister of Marketing last week. Mr Nash said that New Zealand had over-supplied her contracts, leaving the implication that Britain might not want the increased production, even if it were made available. It was most unfortunate that such an impression should get abroad. Later, Mr Nash himself had stressed the need of increased output, more particularly of cheese and bacon. Bearing in mind shipping and other difficutlies, it was the obvious duty of the farmer to fill the deficiencies caus-

ed in Britain’s food supplies by German invasion of European countries. To that end, it was imperative that Northland should be organised to maximum efforts. Fertiliser First Need, The considered opinion of working farmers was that immediate stimulation in yield could best be brought about by application of fertiliser to grasslands already brought in. Suggestions for bringing in new areas of heavy fern country, etc., were for the sweet by and bye. It was realised that dairy production for next season could not be greatly increased, but the output of pig meat could be increased materially in a short time. District Executives. The idea was for the constitution of district committees —possibly centred in the four Northern counties, Whatigarei, Ruawai and Paparoa—to supervise areas with the requirements of which they were familiar. Each of these in turn could appoint a representative to a central executive which would co-ordinate the whole Northland effort. Additional fertiliser could be made available on a subsidised basis, repayment being on the rural credit system of payment for manures out of resultant increase in yield. “It is no use crying over what has not been accomplished in the past,” said Mr Grounds. “We must produce more foodstuffs now, and that urgently.” Replying to Mr Finlayson's suggestion that the effort should be Domin-ion-wide, Mr Grounds expressed the hope that Northland’s lead would be followed elsewhere.

Lead for N.Z. The chairman of the National Dairy Association, Mr Arthur Morton, who presided, warmly commended the proposal, which, he said, was the most important matter before the conference. By applying the plan for increased production themselves, Northland farmers would be setting a fine example which others would not be slow to follow. The Hikurangi company was already working on these lines with success, said Mr Elliott. As a practical farmer, he considered that many of the Government’s socalled experts were not as expert as they pretended to be. Mr K. J. Partoon said that it was in spare areas where there was the immediate possibility of increased production. Importance of Stock Foods. The importance of including stock foods was stressed by Mr W. S. Wallace. “Perhaps Britain needs pig meat as much as butterfat,” he said. Mr H. F. Guy maintained that the war would be won as long as the men fighting overseas were maintained by Dominion production effort. “I am pleased to find that not a voice has been raised against the motion, and that we are unanimous in our support of the war effort,” he said. “I would like the slogan in Auckland to be adopted in the North —He who does nothing is helping the enemy.” Delegates also raised the questions of the lack of canvas covering, preventing the transport of manures, and also the dearth in suitable farm labour. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Increased Production Committees. Mr Grounds also moved that the conference approve the proposal to form increased production committees in all Northland districts and pledge itself to do its utmost to promote and support practical methods to secure rapidly increased production. The chairman suggested that the conference might recommend to the dairy companies that each should set up its own body, with a central executive formed of a representative from each. The motion was carried. Mr S. W. Smith moved that a central executive, comprising Messrs Grounds, Tremaine and Wallace, should be appointed. Moved by Mr Partoon, an amendment that the association executive should undertake the work, was carried without opposition. The Government’s announcement of the formation of a War Council had indicated that the Government was seized of the position that stalemate had passed, and that a definite move would be made shortly, said Mr Guy, in advocating that a move should be made immediately. It was decided that each dairy company should set up its own committee. Mr L. A. Mclntosh said that the first charge against the farmer should be for fertiliser and not for other factors such as Government mortgages, and suggested that the Dairy Board might assist in asking that necessary legislation should be brought down. Mr Murdoch said that the Dairy Board knew the position, .ana would do all it could to assist.