LEAD GIVEN BY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 23949, 16 October 1939, Page 6

LEAD GIVEN BY COUNCIL

Produce Growing On Reserves ACTION PRAISED BY government The Government’s appreciation of the magnificent lead given by the Invercargill City Council in its response to the Government’s appeal for increased production was expressed by Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., at the jubilee celebrations of the Invercargill branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants on Saturday night. A maximum of production would be one of the biggest factors in the decision of the war, declared Mr Denham. The Mayor of Invercargill (Mr J. R. Hanan) and the Reserves Department were to be congratulated on the step they had taken so spontaneously in an : ttempt to increase production. Their scheme of vegetable and produce growing on council reserves was the first of the kind in New Zealand and he could say that it was well received—it was the talk of Wellington and the other bigger centres. “Invercargill has set a splendid example, one which will be taken up .throughout New Zealand, and which has been commended by the Government,” added Mr Denham. “This sort of thing is going to help to win the war more'than anything else.” Later in the evening the Mayor referred to the excellent support the council had received from the Government. The scheme would probably have died in its infancy if the council had not been given such strong support and encouragement from Mr Denham and his colleagues, he said. He also mentioned the response of the men engaged in agreeing to shift work so that the maximum production of crops might be obtained. By their action the men had given a lead to workers throughout New Zealand—that action would not be forgotten.