PLANS FOR FARM DEVELOPMENT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24906, 20 June 1946, Page 4

PLANS FOR FARM DEVELOPMENT

OBJECTIVES STATED REPORT TO LABOUR CONFERENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 19. The Government’s objectives in agricultural development were put before the Labour Party Conference by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) when he discussed the report of the Parliamentary Labour Committee on the long-range plans. The report stated that the main objectives for farm development were: increased meat production, particularly lamb, beef, and pork, from the wartime level of 530,000 tons to 575,000 by the end of 1951; an increase in wool from 160,000 tons to 170,000; an increase in cereal and pulse crops for threshing to 400,000 acres; rebuilding dairy herds at least to the pre-war level, 1,80Q,000 cows in milk, with a butter-fat production of 200,000 tons; securing development of fruit production '(citrus, pip, stone, ana small fruits) and vegetables, eggs, and liquid milk production in certain areas to provide for the domestic market, and to secure closer settlement with more diversified production. The main requirements necessary to attain the objectives were: the early saving of 65,000 additional heifers; the increased use of lime and fertilisers; improved transport facilities for lime and fertiliser distribution; the allocation of overseas funds for the import requirements of farming; the improvement of pastures and livestock feeding practices; an adequate farm labour force; the extension of specialised intensive farming; the expansion of farming land.

The report continues: “Bearing on the expansion of farming, the Department of Agriculture visualises: (a) the development by the Lands and Native Departments for rehabilitation purposes of ploughable scrub lands in North Auckland and Auckland. and the better class pumice lands in Rotorua and Taupo, a total of probably 200,000 acres; (b) the development of irrigation by the Public Works Department in the North and South Islands (completed schemes 89,000 acres, uncompleted 170,600 acres, projected 272.000 acres), total of 531.600 acres; (c) swampland reclamation by the Public Works Department. Other main requirements are: the control of soil erosion and land deterioration: the improvement of farm houses and buildings, and rural living and working conditions: the extension of research and instructional services; larm training and financial assistance for youths; an apprenticeship scheme; the settlement of 1500 soldier settlers yearly.