MORE MAIZE IN NEW ZEALAND

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 6

MORE MAIZE IN NEW ZEALAND

Next Season’s Demand May Be Met REDUCING IMPORTS TO MINIMUM (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 28. As the result of an increase in production it was expected that the local crop of maize next season would practically be sufficient to meet the Dominion’s requirements, thus enabling importations of maize to be reduced to a minimum, said the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) in a statement tonight. Mr Nash said that for some time past the Internal Marketing Division had been actively interested in the supply of maize, not only to the extent of arranging any importations required, but also in stabilizing local prices at a level to afford reasonable encouragement to growers in New Zealand. “The effect of the division’s influence on the price of maize has been to prevent any undue inflation of values and at the same time to maintain prices in reasonable relationship with the cost of production,” Mr Nash added. “It Is satisfactory to be able to report that in consequence of this policy the production of maize in New Zealand has been increasing in Poverty Bay, one of the principal districts concerned. “The position is shown by the following extract from a recent report prepared by a leading stock and station agent: ‘Supplies of good quality maize' held here are now little more than sufficient for the district’s own local requirements although, in the meantime, values remain unaltered at the Marketing Board’s rate of 5/8 November delivery and 5/9 for December. The new season’s crops are looking wonderfully well. Taking all factors into, consideration Poverty Bay during the coming season should have little difficulty in producing between 50,000 or 60,000 sacks of maize, ah increase o" well over 100 per cent, on last year s crop’.”