MISSION ENDED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 57, 1 April 1946, Page 5

MISSION ENDED

PRIMARY PRODUCTION COUNCIL FINAL MEETING HELD After three and a half years of useful and vital operation, the Whakatane Primary Production Council held its final meeting last Wednesday, when Mr W. R. Boon, the Chairman, sketched at some length, the fine record of work and organisation, which had been accomplished. Mr D. Ross, Member of the National Council, was also in attendance, and conveyed the message of appreciation and goodwill from the Minister of Agriculture, for all that the Council had accomplished during its term of office.

“As this is the last meeting of our Council,” said Mr W. R. Boon, in opening the meeting, “I feel that it is fitting that I should give you an outline of just what the Primary Production Council has done. It may surprise you that the volume of undertakings was so substantial, and I can assure you that our Secretary has been fully occupied in carrying out our varied responsibilities.” Mr Boon stated, that when first inaugurated in 1939, the Council comprised delegates from the A. and P. Association, Farmers’ Union, Dairy Companies, Pig Council, Herd Improvement Association, County Council, Workers Union, Placement and Agricultural Officers. Mr R. Ruddick was elected first Chairman, and Mr G. R. Kent, Secretary. In September 1942, Mr J. M. Alexander was appointed a permanent secretary, and six months later the whole Council was reconstituted, the committee of three being elected in six districts in Whakatane, and three in the Opotiki counties, with himself as Chairman. During the first year, the Minister of Agriculture discussed with the Council, the problems of maize production, manpower, and flood damage. As a result of this, the maize committee was set up in conjunction with the merchants, and subsidies totalling 1/6 per bushel were obtained from the Government.

Fertiliser Distribution

The fertiliser sub-committee, when first constituted, distributed no less than 6041 tons, and dealt with 709 hardship appeals. Included in this figure were 3618 tons based on the special ration of lcwt. per cow. During the harvesting seasons; arrangements were made for the introduction of servicemen to assist the short worked farms. The Council handled this new arrangement with great satisfaction to the farming community generally. In 194243, 63 servicemen were secured on 40 days leave. The following year, the harvesters camp, established at Matata catered for 50 men on the Rangitaiki, and 30 men who were sent to Opotiki. Another important detail of the Council’s operations was the housing on farms, and 63 applications from farmers for hutments and dwellings were dealt with satisfactorily.

Land Girls and Farm Labour

The Council had collaborated with the Manpower Officer in Rotorua, and in this connection, the Secretary had rendered invaluable work, in placing no less than 274 land girls on farms where the labour problem was regarded as desperate. Apart from this, they had also dealt with 592 cases where men in the forces were nominated for farm assistants. Men called from farms to serve in the armed forces were also investigated by the Council, and evidence given before the Appeal Board which, he could say, was regarded as absolutely essential. In connection with the rationing of tyres and petrol, the Council had, in collaboration with the controller, investigated no less than 1451 applications for new tyres. Petrol had likewise been handled in the same thorough fashion. Another department had been in connection with lease-lend machinery, and 389 cases had been investigated. The Council had also handled the question of timber, roofing iron, gumboots and fencing wire and had further, taken an active part in obtaining subsidies for the breeding of pigs. The latest responsibility had been the question of rationing out fodder for stock during the drought period, and to date, 367 tons of hay had been allocated to the Whakatane County, and 84 tons to the Opotiki County by the Hay Committee.

Thanks and Appreciation

In conclusion, Mr Boon paid a warm tribute to the work of the Secretary, Mr J. Alexander, who, as a practical farmer, had been able to fill the position in a capable and sympathetic manner. He felt, he said, that Mr Alexander had been a tremendous asset, and it was due to him that the widespread operations of the Council had functioned so harmoniously. He thanked all members for their loyal co-operation and assistance, and added that whereas many were of the opinion that the time was not ripe for the Council’s dispersement, he nevertheless would abide by the Minister’s direction that it should be dissolved now that the war had ended.

Mr D. Ross, Te Puke, said that as a member of the National Council, he had to convey the deep appreciation of the Minister of Agriculture, for the splendid work which had been done by the Council. The farming community generally, he said, had been given a wartime job, and they had carried it out with great credit to themselves. The work of the Council had been on a completely voluntary basis, and all appeals had been satisfactorily met and carried out. What lay in the future could not be seen. Many thought that the Councils should be retained, but this was a matter which would have to be decided by those in authority. He read a letter of thanks and commendation from the Minister of Agriculture.