MORE VEGETABLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24423, 5 November 1942, Page 2

MORE VEGETABLES

THE SEASON'S PROSPECTS HIGH PRICES TO CONTINUE (0.c.) GISBORXE, Wednesday "If we get a normal crowing summer there should be an abundance of vegetables in New Zealand season." said the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, in Gisborne. We should not be short of potatoes during the coming year, lie said, On the approximate figures he had to date there were 23.000 acres being grown commercially this season compared with 16,000 acres last season. Nobody a year ago could have foreseen the demand there would have been this year, for Japan's entry into the war had upset our internal economy. The Army was growing 3000 acres of vegetables for itself. Where contracts could be let to commercial growers that had been done and only where commercial growers could not grow vegetables had the Government done so.

Asked if vegetables would be any c hen per, the Minister replied: "You cannot expect them to be cheaper." INDUSTRIES AFTER WAR NEED FOR REHABILITATION MANUFACTURERS' ATTITUDE (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday A decision that the council of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation should formulate a policy for postwar rehabilitation of industry which should be presented to the Government tor adoption was reached at the federation's conference to-day. Discussion of this and other subjects during the day was taken in committee, but it was stated later that the wonderful productive development of industries in recent years had been reviewed and it had been emphasised that manufacturers could not allow these developments to come to nothing. Delegates, it was stated, had also emphasised that New Zealand would not be able to wait and see what steps were taken by the United States and Britain after the war. but would have to look to her own interests; that the Government. which was taking excess profits for war purposes, should be urged to set aside a certain amount for the rehabilitation of industries. The Government was being supported by industries in the war effort and the industries should insist on intelligent importation and control of products now manufactured by New Zealand industries.

The rehabilitation of fit and disabled men was also discussed. General agreement was expressed that all industries should take their share of disabled men and train them for some section of their work. The Government should avoid putting hundreds of thousands of pounds into plant or factories for returned men. which factories might ultimately compete with others in the country.

CONVERSION OF TAXI SOLDIER PLEADS GUILTY (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday A plea of guilty was entered by a soldier. Patrick' William Sweeney, in Hamilton to a charge of converting a taxi to his own use. Accused said he was intoxicated at the time. He waited in the taxi for the driver, and when he did not appear after a long period accused said he became impatient and drove off to camp. He was caught by a traffic inspector at Huntly. Accused was convicted and; was ordered to be handed over to the Army. EXCESSIVE PRICES PROSECUTIONS AT KAEO (0.C.) WHAXGAREI, Wednesday Prosecuted in the Kaeo Court on two charges concerning the price of butter and candles William Kent, storekeeper, was fined £2 with costs on each charge. Defendant stated that heavy freight added considerably to costs in comparison with those in town stores. Even allowing for heavy freight charges the prices charged were in excess of those allowed by the price order, said Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M. Future breaches would be dealt with more heavily. On similar charges also respecting butter and candles Sterling Stores, Limited. was fined £8 with costs on each charge. E.P.S. CONTROL FEELING IN CHRISTCHURCH iP.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday The central committee of the Christchurch K.P.3. received to-day the reply of the Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon. L). Wilson, to representations for abandonment of the regional commissioner system. The committee did not regard the letter as satisfactory. Members complained that the Minister had missed the whole point of complaints about interferences under the regional system and strong exception was taken to an inference in the Minister's letter that the method of control adopted in Christchurch was not in accord with the regulations or the intention of the Government. As the Minister suggested a conference between himself and local bodies it was decided to ask Mr. Wilson to meet the central executive, on which nil local bodies in the area are represented. and the organising executive to discuss thoroughly the many aspect* ofra system which Christchurch regard* as inimical to efficiency. BOY STRUCK BY CAR Struck by a motor-car while he was riding a bicycle along Hunua Road yesterday afternoon, Raymond Coopc-r. aged 11. son of Mr. J. Cooper, Wharf Road, Papaknra, suffered a fracture of the left hip and lacerations. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital.,