FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26479, 5 June 1947, Page 8

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

DUTY OF DOMINION FARMERS’ PRESIDENT CALLS FOR ACTION i STATE OF UNREST DEPLORED The greatest challenge to the New Zealand farmer at present was the food situation in Britain, declared the Otago provincial president of Federated Farmers, Mr S. Sim, in his address to the annual conference of delegates in Dunedin yesterday. A great deal more could be done, however, if the task were tackled determinedly by the workers in all industries.

“Given the tools, we farmers can produce the food that Britain wants—we have the facilities for the quick turn-round of ships—but will our national leaders give us the assurance that this food will be shipped promptly and expeditiously to those who need it so urgently?” asked Mr Sim. “Personally, I cannot condemn too strongly the manner in which fine food ships, rushed from the other side of the world to pick up our meat and butter, are either diverted from our ports or held up on the coast while the people of Britain hungrily await their return.

“The tragic part of the whole matter is,” he commented, “ that the people whose lack of patriotism or lack of conscience are now causing so much unnecessary suffering overseas are actually preparing hardships for themselves, because, when normal conditions return, shipping companies will not be obliged to send their vessels anywhere where they can get a cargo of food.”

Unrest General in Industry

His criticism was not aimed at one section of the community or at any one class of worker, Mr Sim continued. The strikes and hold-ups on the waterfront were symptoms of the state of unrest apparent in every branch of industry. Even farming—usually a placid and orderly way of life—had been affected by it. One ship, which took seven weeks to load in New Zealand, had .discharged at Liverpool in six days; another spent eight weeks loading in New Zealand and discharged her cargo at Liverpool in nine days. Negro labour required only eight days to load another ship of similar size at Williamsburg and her cargo was discharged in five days at Pearl Harbour.

Allowing for the fact that ships must visit several ports in. New Zealand, Mr Sim said, there could be no excuse for such a poor showing. The figures showed how farcicial the theory of the 40-hour week had become. At the same time, he had no objection to the 40-hour week if it meant 40 hours’ actual work together with high production. Importance of Work

“ The basis of our wealth is production, and our high standard of living is based pn work,” said the president. “Any slackening in the work of production must mean inevitably less wealth and a lowered standard of living.

“We, as farmers, know that it would be impossible to maintain production on a 40-hour week on the farm, and we would not attempt to try it. “It is our job to produce the food and, given £he tools, we will do it. By tools, I‘mean not only the me-

chanical implements of our work, but all the essentials to an efficient and contented working life in the country, I mean housing, for instance, and labour, fertilisers and other essential aids to good farming. With these we can boost production to the full capacity of farmlands. * “If that produce is allowed to lie in the sheds, or in the freezing chambers, because of strikes or go-slow tactics, those responsible for the delay are betraying not only their fellowworkers but the people of Britain,” concluded Mr Sim. “The workers of Britain did not work half-time when we wanted guns, tanks and ships with which to defend ourselves.”