PRODUCTION DRIVE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5944, 17 May 1944, Page 7

PRODUCTION DRIVE

FOOD FOR BRITAIN I MINISTER ASSURED OF FARMERS’ SUPPORT 1 In furtherance of the primary pro- ■ duction drive to aid Britain, the Min- ’ ister of Agriculture, the Hon. B, ; Roberts, addressed members of prim- ! ary production councils in Palmerston i North, and was assured\of the farm- ! ers’ wholehearted support and co-op-j eration. ! Stressing that the reason for the ; calling into existence of the primary I production councils was the necessity I for utilising the primary industry to I the fullest to ensure victory, Mr RobI erts praised the farmers for the i splendid response given to previous i calls for greater production, but inti- • mated that an even further effort was 1 needed to meet Britain’s requirements. 1 Referring to the friction arising I from the censorship previously imI posed, he said this was necessary at ’ the time, as Britain was so unprei pared for war that it would have j been unwise to give the facts public- | ity. Thus it was impossible then to ! make known Britain’s dire need. But I just as* Mr Churchill and Mr Roose- • velt had snatched victory from defeat j in the military field, so must the fari mers do so in the production field, i They had done magnificently in the | past and he was sure they would do i again. • The changes of directions given to i producers from time to time had ■ been most irritating to farmers, but | these were due to different appeals I from Britain arising from her chang- : ing needs caused by the fluctuating military position, j “We have to be subject to the Authority of Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt in matters of military needs, which often interfere with the plans we have already made,” said the Minister, “but I am sure there would be no holding back were we asked for the impossible.” If any sense of frustration existed : among the farmers, ho looked to those i present to strive to dissipate it. In this I drive for greater production it was the • privilege of all to do their utmost. Mi' • Churchill had promised blood, tears i and sweat. Some had already given ! their blood overseas and those at ' home would give their sweat. In New I Zealand they still had enough and to I spare and they would carry out Brl- [ :ain’s wishes not only to the letter ■ but in the spirit also. Mr Roberts referred to increases already made in various'farming activities and mentioned the Government’s direct entry into the production field Manpower and lack of fertilisers were the main problems at present, but every endeavour was being made to free men from military service in the Pacific for farm work. He thought he could promise more fertiliser also, in view of information recently supplied to the Government. At the conclusion of his address Mr Roberts was tendered a vote of thanks and assured of the farmers’ co-opera-tion to the full.