GRAINS FOR AUCKLAND PROVINCE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22611, 16 May 1945, Page 4

GRAINS FOR AUCKLAND PROVINCE

For years there has been a shortage of wheat and other grains in the North Island and particularly in the Auckland province, where large populations and intensive farming and poultry keeping maintain a heavy demand. The wheat and flour controller has suggested to the Primary Production Council that attention should be given to the growing of wheat, barley, peas and maize in the province, and the suggestion has been passed on to the farmers. For reasons which may or may not be sound the northern portions of the North Island have no present reputation for the growing of grains, with the exception of maize in certain east coast districts. It may be that the land is not as suitable for the purpose as, say, the Canterbury Plains, but the need is so great and the demand so insistent that it is well worth while thoroughly to investigate the possibilities. Even if sufficient grain could be grown to feed the numerous poultry flocks in the Auckland province something "worth while would have been achieved. The northern districts did not always decline to grow grain. There was a time when even the port of Kawhia enjoyed a substantial export of wheat, and in many other districts large quantities were grown. Then followed the dairy farming age, and ever since then the agricultural economy has been unbalanced. Because of the returns available from dairying the farmers were prepared to import such grains as they needed from the South Island or even from Australia, and the *egend grew up that Auckland province could not produce grain. One result is that poultry flocks have had to be reduced heavily, other animal foods are equally scarce and even the porridge that made Scotland great is practically unobtainable. Grain is so important to the nation that farmers’ organisations would do well to consider the possibilities of producing and to act promptly if the alleged unsuitability of the land is not more than a myth and if the return from grain growing offers an adequate profit. The risks attendant on the industry are well known, but it would be a good thing for New Zealand if this obvious weakness in its economy could be remedied.