PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 303, 9 May 1941, Page 5

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

MAIZE-GROWERS MEET

ARRANGEMENTS FOR

PLUCKING

At the instigation of the Primary Production Council the Maize Grow crs Committee met at Whakatane on Wednesday night, Mr W. A. McCracken presiding. There was ,1 good attendance audi arrangements lor plucking of crops and, suggestions of a suitable price for the product were discussed.

v After some discussion on prices for the plucking it was decided oil the motion of Messrs H. C, Mc■Cready and ALex McLean- that foi the average crop a basic price of £2 4s per acre bagged for delivery be •charged, the grower to supply one extra man. In the event of crops being below or above the average the grower to arrange the: price •with the pluckers concerned, or failing agreement a committeei of two > representing the grower <141 the one hand the pluckers on mlic other to • decide' upon a reasonable ciliarge.

Mr McCready referred to the fad that, as representatives of the pluck, eirs in the Taneatua district, were, not present at the meeting, it would seem that this area did 1 not coins * under the general scheme for plucking, and would consequently have to fend for itself. Replying, to this -observation Judge Harvey stated ; that the) Maori Production Committee at Ruatoki would arrange for the neceissary pluckers in the district concerned. There werei five such committees operating in the Whakatane l district, viz.,, Te Teko, Poroporo, Paroa, Matata and toki and it was their responsibility to organise gangs of pluckers in their respective localii tie's.

He thought there would be no trouble about arranging a satisfae-. Tory plucking organisiatiom. and the .growers had supplied: the'. Maori •Committees with a 'complete state-, ment of where the maize was and •whether it was on Uoodable land l or otherwise. As the Maori Committees would be holjding a general maeting, of their people on Sunday next to consider the outcome of the meeting in progress: it was: very necessary that the growers through the Maize Committee 1 of the Prim■•ary Production Council should :make available before that time,, a complete list of areas to be plucked, their locality and! any other information necessary to ensure the smooth running of the scheme once it is commemced.

All going -\yell' it should be possible to make- a start on an organ ise<l basis next Monday but much would depend upon the co-operation afforded by the grower. He could say quite definitely, however, that the Maori people l ' were, prepared to •do their share an a truly patriotic spirit and it only remained for others to do likewise.

Mr Alex McLe&n. mentioned that in the. past it has been more or less customary especially among the larger growers to supply pluckers that much in addition to the price paid for plucking'. Pie asked what was to be the position thic year ?

Following a brief discussion it was agreed that whilst the' pluckers with meat in addition to the price were no't specifically asking for this •concession it would be a good gesture to them if v growers continued this practice or paid an- extra amount, say 2s per acre, as an equivalent. ; It was pointed out by several speakers that as the plucking charge suggested by -the Maoris was an extremely moderate o.ne the' least the .growers could do was to reciprocate this generous attitude in the manner suggested. V. Prior to closing the 1 meeting it was agreed to hold another on •day next to finalise armn genie pts. Judge Harvey was accouled a a ote •of thanks for his coropeiration.