"MAIZE!"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 178, 26 June 1940, Page 5

"MAIZE!"

GREATER PROD

APPEAL TO FARMERS SURVEY OF DISTRICT'S CAPACITY The Government has decided that importations of barley, oats, wheat, linseed and maize will have to cease and the Dominion will have to increase its yield of these cereals to meet its full requirements. The first four quoted do not concern this part of the country but as a maize growing district the East •em Bay of Plenty, comprising the Whakatane and Opotiki is directly concerned an appeal is being made to farmers to increase their acreage in maize by 50 per cent. It was stressed by Mr C. R.' Taylor, Department of Agriculture, Local Organiser of the' Eastern Bay of Plenty Council of Primary Production, that farmers are being asked to co-t operate, the increase asked for ■to be their contribution towards the country's war effort. He 'indicated that should results not be up to expectations and .the district's quota, the Government might see fit to use powers provided under the Emergency Regulations and demand certain returns from the farmers, has had been done in England. This was to be avoided if possible. When the Eastern Bay of Plenty District Council of Primary Production met in Whakatane on MonilaA T , Mr Taylor reviewed the position and the need for .immediate .-action. "The nearest comparable figures available were those for the 1937-38 season, and Mr Taylor quoted these in making his statement. This read: "At a special meeting of the National Council of Primary Production held in Wellington on the 12th June, 1940, it was decided among •other things that New Zealand should as quickly as possible become self-supporting in barley, maize, oats, wheat and linseed. "With this end in view the Eastern Bay of Plenty Council of Primary Production has been requested to take whatever steps are necessary to -ensure that the position regarding maize production is put on a satisfactory basis with all speed. "The following figures and comments will assist members to appreciate the situation regarding maize production as existing at the moment. Maize for Threshing: Season 1937-3S Dominion acreage grown was (5,147 acres. Dominion approx. yield was 300,000 bushels or 90,000 bags. Whakatane County grown maize was 1545 acres, equalling 75,000 bushels or 22,000 bags. Opotiki County grown maize was .567 acres, equalling 29,000 bushels or 8500 bags. The total was 2.132 acres, producing 104i000 bushels or 30,500 bac^. This total was approximately onethird of the Dominion total. "Average importations over past six years were 90,000 bushels, or nine-tenths of the total Whakatane and Opotiki Counties' yield. "Therefore to make good this deficiency on a pro rata basis would necessitate the Whakatane and Opotiki.,Counties producing another 30or in other words, growing a further 600 acres. Increasing Pig Feed. "In addition to this, however, is the need to provide pig feed to pedmit of an increase of 10,000 tons of bacon over and above our normal output of this commodity. To permit of this objective being attained, and to provide a margin for possible loss in ciops, still another 600 acres must be grown, thus making a total additional acreage of 1,200 as the share of the Elastern Bay •of Plenty. Bearing in mind the facl that the present area devoted to maize is 2.132 acres it will be seen that a further 1,200 acres represents a fifty per cent increase. "Last .year there was a definite shortage of good quality seed maize with the result that many sowings i\vere made with poor quality seed. Satisfactory yields cannot possibly he secured in this way, and when iill the factors entering into the production of a crop are taken into

UCTION URGED

consideration it is not difficult to sec why production costs arc frequently so high and net' results so disappointing. "Seed is one of the factors that very largely governs yield and it is suggested, therefore, that every endeavour be made this year to save good quality seed and in sufficient quantity to plant the additional acreage the Government is calling for. Importations Must Stop. Emphasising the great importance of the effort required from the district, Mr Taylor said that importations would have to stop. There were many factors making for this decision, not the least being that ships were not available. The Government's request was that the districts growing maize should produce at least as much more as was imported. "The Government wants co-opera-tion from tlie Stock and Station firms as well as from the maize growing farmers," continued Mr Taylor, "and it is desired that this Council set up a Maize Committee with the various companies' representatives as co-opted members. II is to be a united effort and that is the reason for the firms' representation." One firm in particular, said Mr Taylor, had generously offered the services of its outside staff and clerical staff for the purpose. Committee Formed, It was moved by Mr N. J. C. Maodona Id and seconded by Mr W. R. Boon, that the Council give every assistance to the Governments proposal to increase maize production. Messrs R, Ruddick, W: A. McCracken. and C. R. Taylor were appointed as the Primary Production Council's representatives on the Maize Committee with power to appoint a representative from Opotiki. The auctioneering firms' delegates were invited to the meeting and Mr C. R. Taylor explained the position to them. Those present were Messrs P. Sisam, J. Riddle and Wood, Opotiki (Loan and Mercantile); Pearce (Dalgety and Co.); T. Brassey and E. Chamberlain (Wriglu Stephenson Ltd.); and F. Gartshore (Farmers' Auctioneering Co). In stating that most of .these members were aware of the Government's proposals, Mr Taylor said that Mr Sisam was mainly responsible for the compilation of the questionnaire for farmers. Speed was the essence of the contiact, added Mr Taylor, the need being urgent. Some Difficulties. Mr McCracken was of the opinion that labour difficulties would be in the minds of some farmers when replying to the Council but Mr Sisam said that the contractors already in the district should be able to cope with the increased work. Another difficulty likely to be encountered was suggested in the improbability of obtaining the wive and netting necessary for the building of cribs. Mr Taylor answered that that was a matter for the Government. The Maize Committee adjourned at this stage and the Primary Production Council continued its business.