MAIZE MARKETING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 49, 5 March 1946, Page 5

MAIZE MARKETING

BAY OF PLENTY PROSPECTS

NEED FOR MORE ACREAGE

The first meeting of the Maize Marketing Committee to take place in the Whakatane district was held in Whakatane on Thursday afternoon. Present were Messrs. Ross Fraser (Director Internal Marketing Division, Wellington), G. W. Armstrong, W. Morrison and C. Tietjen (Gisborne), W- A. McCracken (Edgecumbe), G. H. Masfen (Auckland), E. R. Marryatt (Fields Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Whakatane), A. H. Honey field (Auckland), R. G. C. Ffitch, Wellington, and V. C. Hall (Secretary, Gisborne). Considerable discussion took place on the growing of crops in the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay areas. Whilst many of these crops, despite prevailing drought conditions were looking well, the yield prospects would be seriously affected unless good rains were experienced within the next two or three weeks. Early sown crops on heavy land were standing up to the dry conditions actually better than any others. Some reports had been recived, of small areas having been fed off for stock feed, but .this practice was not general, and had applied only to those crops in poor condition. The committee expressed pleasure at finding a substantial increase in areas obtaining in almost all localities, this season, a total in fact, of 6350 acres. In view of the very serious world position with regard to the shortage of all grain and other human and stock foods and materials, this increase was particularly gratifying, and the committee hoped that rain, which would ensure a good yield would yet come in time.

Reports placed before the committee indicated that there still remained a small quantity of maize in the Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty districts, for allocation under the maize marketing regulations, and arrangements had been made for immediate permits to be issued to cover the quantity. The general opinion expressed by members of the committee was that the marketing regulations had worked in a very satisfactory manner in the interests of both the producer and the consumer, and , had achieved

their object in making for as even a distribution as possible of the maize available.

Some discussion took place on the crop to be planted next spring, and a motion was passed, urging the Government to make an early announcement, with regard to the subsidy to be paid on the crops to be harvested, in 1947. The committee expressed the opinion that every effort should be made to secure an increased area next season, to assist in meeting the world-wide shortage of foodstuffs.

The next meeting of the committee will probably be held in Gisborne in two or three months time.