MARKET ASSURED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26545, 21 August 1947, Page 10

MARKET ASSURED

DOMINION’S PRIMARY PRODUCE DEPARTMENTAL REPORT Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. A market for all the Dominion’s exportable produce was assured for the next few years, stated the annual report of the Department of Agriculture, which was presented in the House of Representatives to-day. The report added that with the prospect of international agreement on the development of world trade based on a foundation of the maintenance by all countries of policies of full employment, there should be an expanding market for food for many years to come. The world food shortage was expected to be critical throughout the greater part of 1947 and although cereal supplies might become adequate in 1948. shortages of dairy produce and meat were likely to continue for a further two or three .years, the report said. The Dominion’s interest in securing an expanding market for primary .produce and in fulfilling her obligations to the United Kingdom should serve to stimulate the farming industry to produce as much food as possible. If the great industrial centres could maintain full employment there should be no difficulty in celling the high-quality meat and dairy products New Zealand could produce. As world cereal supplies were expected to be adequate in 1948. the Dominion should aim at increasing meat and butterfat production to the maximum. More adequate winter feeding was the one single factor which would most rapidly increase butterfat production and in meat production, more winter feed would greatly. lessen the frequently high winter mortality rate, especially of breeding ewes. The obligation of New Zealand to produce the greatest possible quantities of meal and <dairy produce during the coming seasons could be fulfilled only if adequate provision' was made for the winter feeding of breeding animals.