FARMERS THANKED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 April 1945, Page 4

FARMERS THANKED

JOINT PURCHASING BOARD GRATEFUL

The appreciation of the United States Joint Purchasing Board of the efforts of New Zealand farmers in “bringing forth bumper yields of high quality foodstuffs” to feed Allied forces in the Pacific is expressed in a letter from Lt.-Col. C. D. McColl, Q.M.£., of the United States Joint Purchasing Board to Mr. E. J. Fawcett, Director-General of Agriculture. “As the current autumn season progresses it becomes more and more apparent that, despite natural handicaps, the New Zealand farmer has again achieved singular success in bringing forth bumper yields of high quality foodstuffs,” the letter states. “The United States Joint Purchasing Board in its export food programme has again noted this trend of New Zealand food production, and rightly feels that some appreciation and thanks should be relayed to the farming industry. “We have noted, for example, that perishable vegetable deliveries (including potatoes and onions) have expanded to 600 per cent more short tons in 1943 than were delivered in 1942, and 1944 saw more than 100 per cent increase over 1943.” This came about first by a good job done by the farmers, and second by consistently good staff and team work by all the New Zealand organisation as well as in that of the Joint Purchasing Board.

“Naturally,” Colonel McColl continues, “we are very proud of this achievement, and feel that all can do better in 1946. We believe that your farmers and the various people and departments concerned in the distribution will agree. “The real significance of food has never been more emphatically presented than at the present hour in the Allied war effort. With all military forces making startling advances on every front, New Zealand farmers will be glad to know that their food is in the thick of the fight. We are sure they will be pleased to know that four days following the initial landing on Iwo Jima a reefer ship of New Zealand produced and packed food stood by to augment other food supplies so critically needed at that particular place at the right moment.”