MAIZE PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 73, 16 May 1944, Page 5

MAIZE PRODUCTION

GROWERS AND MERCHANTS

INCREASED PRICE NECESSARY \

When addressing a meeting' of maize growers in the County Chambers last week, Mr J. R. Virtue, President of the Grain Merchant's Federation, gave a very full review of the maize position showing how the acute tfecline of production will seriously effect our overseas commitments of pig meats and manufactured commodities in New Zealand 1 . He saidi he was present to d'iscuss ways and means to secure an increased acreage and thought by the growers and' merchants freely exchanging their views, they might arrive at a solution; of not only arresting the decline buit meet the Government's aim of 10,000 acres for 1944/45 season. Whakatane's quota being 2400 acres.

An attendance of over 40 were present from Opotiki, Taneatua and Whakatane districts, also delegates from the Gisborne Association of

Growers. Mr W. A. McOacken presided. In introducing the speakers, he outlined the proceeding that had taken place earlier in the day when the Gisborne and local committee had gone into the matter of production costs. It was. recognised there would be variations in the two districts by way of yield and farming practice, that would be a factor in arriving jat a uniform basis of costs over all, but so far as this district was concerned a close survey had been made from the returns of numerous farmers both in yield and cultivating costs.

Mr H. B. Martin, Secretary of the Federation, pointed out that it would be a responsibility of the Government to find the labour necessary for the work, which would be implemented through the release of men from the army. He wished the growers to get behind a drive for the target and plan ahead to provide the acreage.

General discussion revolved around costs and the current fixed price of maize.. It was the unanimous opinion that the failure to obtain an adequate planting at the commencement of this season was due entirely to the delay of. the authorities in arriving at the price to be paid and the unsatisfactory figure announced later by the stabilisation commission. Figures setting out the general average costs per acre and yield were submitted by Mr Alexander, these showing a loss equivalent to 1/4.7 per bushel. Full- accounts were taken of all operations and overhead up to re-sowing into pasrture and credit given to fixed price plus 6d subsidy and pasture improvement. Mr Cooper, Mr Cameron and other Gisborne speakers said they would endeavour to fulfil their quota, and had discussed costs with Mr Virtue. An increased price would be necessary before growers would be interested, but owing to different conditions, it would perhaps not be so high as in this area. In -future their association would collaborate with this 1 district, before taking part in any discussion on the price question. It was arranged the outcome of this meeting would be considered in Gisborne. Mr W. Sullivan, MJ?. f . summed up the attitude of growers as reasonable in their request for a price sufficient to cover jjroductio'n, without which no business- could carry on. The drop in cropping over recent years was due to the unsatisfactory price and labour conditions. Given a fair spin, he thought, farmers, would loyally support the drive. Mr Baird stressed the need for a higher subsidy, anything less than 7/8 per bushel would not induce growers to break land for cropping. Mr Virtue pointed out that if the increase sought Avas too high, then the Government may consider it to be uneconomic to grow maize in this district, resulting in importations to make up the deficiency, which may have repercussions after the war. j Mr T. Steele asked what would be the price of imported maize, he understood it would be in the vicinity of 9/-4 The speaker was unable to give an indication. The chairman invited Mr Virtue, to take up the matter of idle native land with the Government, also that native labour should be so organised to take full advantage from the land. Considerable areas, very suitable for maize growing were non-producing at the present time. There was now in the district a mechanical picker, a demonstration Will take place in he near future. It is expected it will be the means of overcoming some of the past difficulties in. harvesting. The following resolution from the meeting was given to Mr Virtue: "That provided satisfactory arrangements are made to increase the price of maize to a figure namely, 7/8 (Continued in next column)

per bushel, September delivery basis, which will give a fair return to the grower; then this meeting representative of Bay of Plenty growers will make every effort to obtain the quota set for this district." >Sl