FARMERS’ PROBLEM

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21096, 24 April 1940, Page 5

FARMERS’ PROBLEM

INCREASING PRODUCTION At the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union, ways and means of increasing primary production to meet the demands of the present emergency, were discussed. Scheme 4b was too slow, vaid Mr S. A. Ammon, who advocated the use of more machinery in clearing and breaking in land. Mr G. T. Crawley said that there was not sufficient man-power available and the only quick means of increasing production was to make use of more fertilisers. There was an inadequate supply of these in the Dominion and there were delays in supplying lime. The herds could not be increased in numbers and the alternative was to increase the 1 production of the herds by stimulating grass growth by increased fertilising. Lack of suitable labour was the real problem, according to Mr J. Rae, for it was little use developing partly improved farms at great expense unless there was an assurance that labour would be available to make use of the newly brought-in land. Other speakers pointed out that increased numbers of stock were going through the works, and, on the one hand, grass consumption was

decreased and replacements of stock was made more difficult. It was decided to make inquiry as to what plant the Public Works Department had available for bringing in new land.