A TOWNSMAN’S VIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1946, Page 7

A TOWNSMAN’S VIEW

N.Z. FARMERS’ EFFORT. In a recent communication from Mr. E. A. Chivers, secretary of the Christchurch Famine Emergency Committee, a striking tribute is paid to the efforts of the farmers of Canterbury in striving after maximum production. “I have lately had the chance to move extensively about the country districts and I have been away from the main roads and seen farms that the average motorist does not know exist, and it has been tremendously encouraging to see the work that is being done. “While It is inevitable that we think largely in terms of wheat, meat, and butter, it is well to keep In mind that important contributions are being made In other ways. Town milk supply is an example where very great efficiency is being displayed and in many areas more land is being brought into pasture for this purpose. Then there is the land that must produce green feed and hay, and other types of feed for present and future use. “I wonder how many people realise how the New Zealand farmers and agricultural workers compare in efficiency and production to their prototypes' in other parts of the world. I have taken some figures from the tables published recently in a British Government publication "British Agri, culture” Issued in 1944 by the British Council. These tables deal with the net outnut in money and the number of people fed per agricultural worker in the various countries. Net outnut No. of people per worker fed per worker New Zealand 1450 33

“To me this seems io emphasise the vital contribution New Zealand is making to world food supplies and I am sure that if a similar survey could be made over the coming year's production it would show the New Zealand farmers in even more favourable I'ght. The thanks of the Famine Emergency Committee are due to the many farmers who, while looking for satisfaction in regard to their claims for increased prices, greater sunnlies of fertiliser and lime, while looking for more labour, both farm and domestic, are still going ahead and making “very effort to resnond to the appeals that are being made to them."

Australia £300 29 Great Britain £205 17 United States £185 13 Denmark £155 12 Canada £135 12 Netherlands £120 16 Belgium £100 9 Switzerland £100 Y France £90 5 Germany £70 7 Eire £65 6