INCREASED PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 92, 17 August 1942, Page 2

INCREASED PRODUCTION

POTATO GROWING

SHORTAGE OF SEED

At the Primary Production Council meeting held recently it was reported that Councils are now required to investigate conditions in their district with the object of increasing production. The district's quota of the drive for 7800 acres of potatoes in the North Island was set down at 250. The quota for Tauranga is a similar number. Auckland is required to provide 1100. Hamilton 500, whilst Taumarunui and Rotorua quotas are 100 acres each. Mr Simms said lie considered 250 acres should not be difficult be provide from this district. In view of the fact that 3750 acres of maize and 1000 acres of Cape barley were required from the Auckland Province it was a possibility that the Gtorohanga district might be required to produce portion of the Cape barley requirements. The acute shortage of seed potatoes was alluded to, it being reported to the meeting that private sales were prohibited through Government regulations. It was thought, probable, however, that seed would be made available for the supplying of the district quota of 250 acres. Mr Simms stated that potato peelings could be used to good advantage as seed and suggested that many people, owing to seed shortage, would be forced to utilise these. Councils are also to be asikcd to foster egg production. The National Council stated that every effort would be made to guard against low prices ruling in the llush egg season. The summer prices of eggs had been fixed in the North Island at Is 6d, and Is 8d in the South Island. The duty of Production Councils is also to induce people to produce more pork and bacon. The lifting of the restriction on pigs of over IGOlbs and the change back from cheese to butter should have a beneficial effect in increasing the number of pigs fattened. Steps are to be taken by the Primary Production Council to obtain a reserve supply of fertiliser to allocate to necessitous cases. Mr Walters alluded to the case of a man in his district who Avas receiving next to nothing on the basis of allocation and his. farm had not been sufficiently developed to enable lime to be applied as a substitute. It Avas thought probable that it would fall to Councils the supervision of farms ol' soldiers overseas, rationing of ■ such commodities as wire, and the making of the neces« sary arrangements for the provision of seasonal labour for harvesting, The use of Land Army girls and also the use of student labour during the holidays is urged as much as possible.