MAIZE GROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 109, 12 January 1940, Page 8

MAIZE GROWING

INCREASING PRODUCTION As a result of an increase in production it was expected that thelocal crop of maize next season* would be practically sufficient to> meet the Dominion's requirements,, thus enabling importations of maizeto be reduced, to a minimum, said' the Minister of Marketing, the Hon..

W. Nash, in a statement at Wellington. Mr Nash said that for sometime past the Internal Marketing" Division had been actively interest-* ed in the supply of maize, not only~ to the extent of arranging any importations required, but also in stabilising local prices at a level to afford reasonable encouragement to growers in New Zealand. "I lie effect of the division's influence on the price of maize IVasbeen to prevent any undue inflationof values and at the same time to> maintain prices in reasonable relationship with the cost of production, Mr Nash added, "It is satisfactory to be able to report that inconsequence of this policy the production of maize in New Zealand : has been increasing. "In Poverty Bay, one of the principal districts concerned, t.he position is shown by the following extract from a recent report prepared" by a leading stock and station agentr "Supplies of good quality maizeheld here are now little more than sufficient for the district's own local requirements, although meantimevalues remain unaltered at the Marketing Board's rate of 5s 8d for November delivery and 5s 9d for December. New season's crops are looking wonderfully well. Taking all* factors into consideration. Poverty Bay during the coming seasortshould have little difficulty in producing between 50,000 and (JO.OOfr 1 sacks of maize, an increase of well" over 100 per cent, on last year'scrop." V