PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 97, 10 August 1943, Page 5

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

BAY COUNCIL MEETS

ACUTE FARMING PROBLEMS

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Production Council held a meeting on Friday lasb. Mr R. Ruddick presided and Messrs Boon, Butler, McCraeken, Macdonald Mullins and Withy -were present. Correspondence from the Director of the National Council drew attention to the acute .shortage ol' galvanised piping and the. necessity of strict; examination before permits Ayoulil he granted to purchase. The same applied to wire netting. Farmers are as'Ued to make the best use of anj r material they have, before applying for a permit. The Department is closely watching the distribution (if meat meal, which must be solely used for fowl and stock food. A regulation has been issued i>rohibiting its use as a fertiliser. Poultry and Pigs Under arrangements made by the authorities, building material for poultry and pig housing will now be released,, provided a recommendation is given by the Production Council, that it is to be vised for increased production. Gum boots are not yet available. It is expected the New Zealand, factory now being established will be. in production in a month or two. Retreads for Farmers Farmers can siecure B retreads for their cars, application should be made before their car tyres reach the stage, Avhen retreading is not practicable. No new tyres arc available at the present time. Potatoes and Onions The production programme for 1943/44 season requires greatly increased plantings of potatoes and onions. It. has, been decided to stabilise prices, namely main potato crops. Dec. delivery £14 per ton. Jan. delivery £12 per ton. Feb. delivery £11 per ton. To obtain the stabilised price, farmers must make a contract) with his piercantile firm, otherwise no guarantee of purchase, can be given. ' 'Onions come under the same procedure prices varying from £10 in March to £28 in November. Based on the demands now made in the Dominion, increased areas of maize will be required* together with more production in eggs, baccfri and butter. The Council have in. mind the difficulty of labour in maize harvesting, and are investigating costs with a view to overcoming the difficulty in the future. Status of Council The Minister has approved of a new constitution for District Councils. The election of seven district committees for the. county will take place during this month. A meeting will be held in each area, ilic meetings will be advertised at a later, date in the,press. The National Council have made representation to the War Cabinet regarding the labour position in primary production. Urgent recommendations have been put to them in the matter of release from military service of workers in primary production.