AGRICULTURAL PLAN

Chronicle (Levin), 22 August 1947, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL PLAN

(N.Z.P.A.-

Reuter .

British Farmers' Chance To Assist In Crisis

, Covyright)

Reeeived Friday, 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 21. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Tom Williams, announcing the Government's new agricultural plan, said the Government would subsidise and finance the breeding and purchase of livestock and machinery, recoup in full the wage increases awarded agricultural workers, establish much increased minimum prices for livestock up to 1951-52, and grant subsidies for grassland sown to approved crops and for the rearing of calves. The Government wanted to increase the area sown in wheat by about 500,000 acres. The new prices for wheat, livestock and homegrown wool were substantial. • The programme, said Mr. Williams, was designed to increase the net agricultural output by £100,000,UU0, falling roughly ipto two parts — £50,000,000 from higher efficiency and £50,000,000 from additions .to the resources of the industry. Mr. Williams added that the expansion of output was not put forward to meet a temporary necessity. The Government recognised the need for long-term stability and efficiency. Mr. Williams said that farmers now had their greatest opportunity without coercion to see what they could do for a country in desperate straits. The fulfilment of the programme would not affect imports from the primary producing countries of the Empire such as New Zealand and Australia. "We shall want all the food we can buy from these countries."