HIGHEST FOR YEARS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6449, 21 November 1947, Page 5

HIGHEST FOR YEARS

PRODUCTION OF BUTTER ENCOURAGING PICTURE Butter production this spring promises to be the highest for seven years, stated the chairman of the Aid to Britain National Council, Mr F. P. Walsh, at Wellington. ‘ He said the favourable position was indicated by the preliminary figures for August, September and October. The general production picture in the Dominion was most encouraging. The farmers had made an excellent start.

In the three months 4000 tons more butter had been graded for export than in the previous similar period. The October gradings of 19,200 tons were 12% greater than those for the same month of 1946. Cheese gradings 10,300 tons, represented an increase over the October figures for the two preceding years. Mr Walsh said it was too early yet to make any reliable forecast regarding meat production, but the indications were that it would be a record. Increases in the acreage of wheat, oats, barley and peas were expected. Reports indicated that at least 21,500 acres of potatoes had been planted; a considerable increase on last year.

Mr Walsh said there need be no misgivings about the future supply of tractors and farm implements. Import licenses' had been issued for the record number of 3836 tractors during 1948. Of these, 2636 would come from Britain and 1200 from the United States. At least 300 from Britain would arrive in January.

Mr Walsh added that if seasonal conditions continued favourable and the determination of the people to do their best was maintained, this country would eclipse all previous records in the production of food for Britain.