H—29

In spite of innumerable difficulties due to shortage of labour and materials, production on the average, increased during the war, as is shown in the following table :

Live-stock Production

Cash Crops: Acres in Crop

During the war years the chief directing influence was secured through District Primary Production Councils. They carried out the policy of the National Council, which acted in an advisory capacity to the Minister on matters pertaining to seasonal production programmes as required by the exigencies of war and which organized rationing of essential supplies and the provision of labour. Production Councils were disbanded subsequent to the cessation "of hostilities, and an arrangement has been made to secure the co-operation of the Federated Farmers whereby the Dominion programme for production is being diffused to producers through the Federation's district organizations so that all factors which may limit production can be fully investigated and rectified, as far as is possible. Programme for the 1946-47 Season The difficulties created by the past summer's drought in the North Island (and which might have severely curtailed next season's dairy and meat production) have been largely overcome by bountiful autumn pasture growth and fodder-supplies transported to the northern dairying districts from the South Island. Although the autumn weather did not favour the preparation of land for autumn-sown cereals in the South Island, the essential features of the following production programme should be capable of fulfilment: — Meat .. .. .. .. 530,000 tons. Butterfat .. .. .. . . 190,000 ~ Wool .. .. •.. .. 160,000 „ Wheat .. .. .. .. 250,000 to 300,000 acres. Oats for threshing .. .. .. 50,000 acres Malting-barley . . . . .. 40,000 „ Feed barley .. .. .. .. 15,000 ~ Maize .. .. .. .. 12,000 „ Potatoes .. .. .. .. 25,000 ~ Onions .. .. .. .. 1,000 ~ Peas .. .. .. .. 45,000 ~

2

(In long tons) Butterfat: Year ended 31st July. Meat: Year ended 30th September. Wool: Year ended 30th June. Average of five seasons, 1934-39 Average of six seasons, 1939-45 ., 189,900 191,600 470,000* (Three seasons onlv) 528,000 134,000 151,000 * Years ended 30th June.

Areas threshed. Commercial Areas outside Boroughs. Wheat. Oats. Barley. Maize. Peas and Beans. Potatoes. Onions. i Total. Average of five seasons, 1934-39 Average of six seasons, 1939-45 214,200 243,900 63,400 61,000 22,400 31,200 6,900 8,200 19,100 35,100 21,900 22,200 i 800 1,100 348,700 402,700