PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 306, 16 May 1941, Page 5

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

NATIONAL COUNCIL

NOT TO BE DISBANDED

At a meeting: of the National Council held on the 9th instant the Minister of Agriculture, /the Hon.. J. G. Barclay, complimented the primary production organisations on the valuable work whicli they had done in the past. The frequent - changes in the export position during the last few months had made it practically impossible to give the District Councils specific tasks to undertake during that period,, and he appreciated the difficulties of the Councils under those conditions. Ia some respects the position was now, slightly clearer. Mr Barclay expressed the definite wish of the Government that the National Council 1 and the District Councils of Primary Production 6hould continue to function., Apart from any work they might have, oil hand there were certain jobs they could do almost at once, and others of greater importance that they Would very liketly be asked to carry out during the year ahead. Al-» though at the moment increased primary production was required ii* only a few specific cases, that did not mean that the District Councils would have nothing to do from now on. There would be problems of adjusting production in which the Councils could be of real, assistance. In any case, the whole organisation should be preserved, as the future was still very uncertain and the District Councils might be required for spccial purposes, at any time. Various, members of th© National Council including Messrs. W. W. Mulholland, W. E. Hale and H. M. Christie spoke in support of this view, which was accepted without debate. Programme "for 1941-42. The Council considered a draft production plan drawn up" for next season: District Council's may expect a copy of the plan within the next week. From correspondence recently re-» ceived from various councils', mem* bers have apparently had doubts as to the real necessity of the Councils remaining in existence and some have sought guidance as to whether they should go into recess under existing conditions. It will i>e obvious from the above summary of the Hon. Minister's statement to I.he National Council that the Government still feels that Councils can play an important part in the Dominion's war effort. Steps will therefore be taken immediately by the executives of the National Council to forward full particulars as to the lines along which tho Councils are expected to assist, and as mentioned above an early submission of the Production Plan for | season 1941-42 will be made for youe i direction.

Growth of Pastures. Mild; weather of thet past few weeks lias been reflected in the continued growth of pastures, especially of paspalum grass which is usually checked by early frosts in May. As a consequence there is a good supply of feed on/Whakatane farms* and cattle are in better condition than was the case m some recent years.- . - '