The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1942. DRAW YOUR BLINDS—6.45d p.m VEGETABLE PRICES AND SUPPLIES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15163, 2 October 1942, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1942. DRAW YOUR BLINDS—6.4Sd p.m VEGETABLE PRICES AND SUPPLIES.

Vegetable prices and shortages have never exercised the minds of the public to such an extent as today. This is due in part to a great recognition of the food and vitamin value of vegetables, and to the consequent increase in th© demand. Added to thi 8 is the necessity for supplying our own relatively large army and at th© sam© time providing in some measure for forces in the South Pacific. who can be catered for much more conveniently from this source than from any other. Problems of distribution and cost, the margins between what th© producer gets and what the ultimate consumer pays liav e been ventilated' at great length of late; but there is a danger that while this angle is being considered

tile very much more important matter— at th© moment—of what there is and what tlier© will be to distribute is being thrust into the background. So far we have had a poor spring for vegetable growing; rains, cold weather and high winds have combined to retard growth and to delay the fine tilth which is the essence otf market gardening. This is the eleventh hour for the producer, and before it is too late all energies should be concentrated on encouraging End assisting him to get *** the crops which will be so urgently needed a s autumn and winter approach. A market is certain for everything that can be grown, and it is obvious that however heavy the planting may be. it will not be enough, errfter to meet requirements or to depress prices. One production problem is that of labour; that is seasonal and recurrent, but it has been made much more acute today by the drafting into th© forces of men trained to the craft. The industry is essential, both to the army and to civilians, but it has not bee n declared essential, and the heavy inroads if the army into its manpower will Lave their own repercussions on the army itself. The problem is national. Every ton of foodstuffs coming down from America for the forces in the South Pacific means a ton less munitions. or a ton less of the general imports which we must hav e to keep our own munitions effort, small as it is, in going order. Therefore, we cannot now afford to waste time in arguing about wliat is to happen to the crops when they grow; the present effort must be devoted to getting the seed into the ground while yet there is time. If somebody will get busy on that angle he will be doing a worthwhile job.