BROAD OUTLOOK NECESSARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22471, 5 January 1943, Page 2

BROAD OUTLOOK NECESSARY

Changing Times For Farmers Views Of South Canterbury President It might safely be said that to no section of the community will the New Year bring with it the need for a broader outlook and a wider recognition ol political and other issues affecting the disposal of their produce than to the farming community. During the last year the law of supply and demand has been almost entirely superseded by a policy of control of production and fixed prices and, as Mr L. V. Talbot, (chairman of the South Canterbury Primary Production Council and president of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union) emphasised in a New Year message to farmers. "Producers would do well to take an interest in and assist their own organisations so that their problems and difficulties will be recognised. “The beginning of the New Year,” said Mr Talbot, “is an opportune time to review the progress of the past year and to visualise the problems of the immediate future. It is well for farmers to pause for a moment in their work of production to do so, and to give one another greetings for the New Year. In common with the rest of the community, the war dominates our outlook to-day in every way, but it is with a feeling of thankfulness that we should count our blessings; thankfulness for what we have been spared and thankfulness to God that the invasion of our country, which seemed quite probable early in 1942, did not take place. We should express our gratitude to the men of the overseas forces, to the men of the Mercantile Marine, who carry our produce and bring in essential supplies, to our Allies, particularly the Americans, whom we welcome to these shores. We give our sincere sympathy to all those who have suffered bereavement through the war. and to those wh have been injured in the conflict. Increased Production “The task of the farming community is the production of primary products, and farmers, their wives and the regular farm hands have done their full share in maintaining this production in face of ever-increasing difficulties, mainly shortage of skilled manpower and domestic help on the farms. Unlike many industries which have increased production by drawing on the man and woman power of the country, farmers have increased their output with depleted labour. South Canterbury has produced Increased acreages of wheat, small feeds, potatoes and linen flax, together with dairy products, wool, lamb and mutton, and the prospects of the coming season are generally good. Still greater efforts are asked for and, as manpower has been overdrawn from the country, farmers will have a most difficult task in maintaining all lines of production with the labour now available. Machines are laid up for want of competent men to work them and service them. The work on many farms is being done by farmers who are getting on in years, and the strain is in many cases too great for them to carry on indefinitely. Many housewives are in a similar position. “During the Hon. W. J. Polson’s short period of office as Minister of Primary Production,” continued Mr Talbot, “the Primary Production Councils were invigorated and district committees set up. These bodies have done a very valuable work in handling manpower problems and have assisted both the producers and the Appeal Boards in regard to appeals. It goes without saying that farmers will do their best io carry on the essential work of maintaining production at its highest possible level during the coming year, but at the same time they do ask for reasonable consideration o> their difficulties. The shortage of fertilisers and restrictions on transport during the coming year promise to be major problems for the farming community. Shipping also may be required for more urgent war purposes, and this would create many difficulties in regard to storage and payments to the farmer for his produce.” Stabilisation of Costs “A stabilisation plan will be undertaken this year. Prices of the main items of farm produce, such as dairy products, wheat, meat, wool, etc., have been stabilised for some time past. Now, farmers are asking for the stabilisation of their costs of production, and it is to be hoped that this will be obtained. Primary producers are responsible for the primary and basic values In our national economy, and it is a pity they did not have better representation on the Stabilisation Council, which has been set up to administer this far-reaching programme. “This year will be a period of collective bargaining and national effort," concluded Mr Talbot, “and all farmers would do well to take an interest in and assist their own organisations so that the problems and difficulties of the primary producers will be fully recognised. Not by pushing their claims to the detriment of other portions of the community, but by working together to make the New Year, and succeeding years, a period in which all will work together towards a greater national effort and a better world."