OVER 4,000 ACRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1942, Page 2

OVER 4,000 ACRES

WHEAT AREA PROMISED IN WAIRARAPA ADDITIONS TO RECENT LIST. DEMANDS ON PRODUCTION. Further information received during the past few days brings the wheat area promised in the Wairarapa to over 4,000 acres. The grbwers who have made this possible are: —H. J. Cooper, Opaki, additional 40 acres (total 192); L. Gallon, Carterton, additional 16 acres (total 26)); D. P. Fouhy, Carterton, additional 18 acres (total 203)); W. H. Allen, Upper’Plain, additional 10 acres (total 20); A. Svenson, Greytown, new grower, 50 acres. “In one or two cases,” states Mr N. Lamont, of the Department of Agriculture, Masterton, “I have been advised that the areas recently published were slightly in excess of those which will actually be sown, but these errors do not seriously affect the total. It is significant, I think, that the above increases are largely the result of present growers extending their areas. It is unfortunate that this should be necessary as many of these , men are already doing as much as could reasonably be expected of them, but it seems likely that we must look to present growers (or promised growers)) for any increase over our present inadequate total. “Although two months ago, 5,000 acres appeared to be a reasonable contribution from this district, there is now more than rumour to substantiate the belief that the demands upon our capacity to produce food are likely to be much greater than was thought even then. As a consequence, we cann’ot feel in the slightest gratified that, our original aim of 5,000 acres is in sight. Were the figure nearer I'o,ooo acres we might have real cause for satisfaction.

“There can be no one in the district who does not understand tl\e need for wheat, and fear—except cheese producers—who have not been personally approached. We all know that there appear to be individuals with ample suitable land who for no apparent reason have refused to grow wheat. It may be that in some of these cases, there are good reasons for the refusal and we must recognise that this is always a possibility . We have no other appeal to land owners, but to their sense of responsibility and if the country is short of bread next year it is hoped there will be none who cannot say that he did his utmost to prevent such a state of affairs.

“I am still being approached by individuals near Masterton who want land to sow in wheat —we obviously have the equipment. Petrol and labour have been specifically promised. The latest information suggests that even more harvesting machinery will come into the district next summer. In short, we lack nothing but the willingness of owners to make their land available.”