VEGETABLE SUPPLIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 7 October 1942, Page 2

VEGETABLE SUPPLIES

CONSIDERED BY GOVERNMENT ■ NEEDS OF ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIANS Wellington, This Day. H • “Some considerable time ago the Government fully considered the possibility <tff a shortage of vegetables for the Civilian population and armed forces.” iiid the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Shrclay, last evening. “After a survey Af the position, it was decided'to take immediate action to ensure that the ’•armed forces would be certain of securing their supplies during the coming tefeason. For this reason, I secured War Cabinet approval in May last for the department of Agriculture to undertake 'Sn extensive growing programme, and -I am pleased to be able to report that 4!his plan is developing successfully and will be coming to fruition toward the end of the present year.

“Though the department’s programme is designed to protect the needs of the armed forces, I recognise the necessity of maintaining supplies for the civilian population and the production of specific types of vegetables required for canning, and it was because of my concern in this connection that I welcomed a deputation from the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners on Thursday last The deputation placed before me a letter which had been prepared by the secretary of the organisation and set out certain ideas of the executive as to how assistance could best be rendered to the industry in an endeavour to safeguard the forthcoming season’s production. I was glad to have these suggestions, and readily undertook to give every possible assistance in the direction of facilitating those matters which it was considered would best achieve the objective.

“At the end of the interview I was asked whether the letter as presented could be published immediately, but I indicated that it would be preferable to give myself and officers of my department an opportunity of reviewing the proposals before tfiis action was taken. In view of my request, I was naturally disappointed to find that the letter had been handed to the Press. The publication of this letter has given these proposals a controversial aspect which is quite opposed to the spirit of co-operation, and it has been interpreted in certain Press statements in a manner which suggests lack of sympathy on the part of the Government. It must be appreciated, however, that the authors of such articles are not in the best position to judge or to know the action which has been and is being taken in order that the market gardening industry can procure the assistance it requires.

“In spite of the somewhat gloomy picture painted by the executive of the commercial gardeners’ organisation, I am satisfied that the individual producers throughout the country are facing up to the position and doing everything possible to ensure the maximum production. They recognise that like other industries they must contribute toward the manpower required for overseas forces and home defence. The eight points stressed by the growers’ executive are in the main concerned with manpower, and while it may not be possible to establish a reservoir of full-time competent labour, growers can be assured that every assistance will be given by the organisation of women, secondary school pupils, and male labour outside the armed forces. At the same time, however, the approach to obtaining such labour must be made by use of the appropriate machinery which has already been established for the purpose.”