AGRICULTURE BOOMING

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1948, Page 5

AGRICULTURE BOOMING

(N.Z.P.A. —

■Reuter

Britain's Greatest Dollar Saver

■ Coyyright )

Received TLursday, 7 P-hb LONDON, Juiy 22. British agriculture — the greatest dollar saver — is well oyer the first hurdle in the Govemifleiit's £iU0, 000,000 expausion programme. Mr. Toiil Williams. Minister oi Agriculture, told the Ooiumons this when he reyiewed the resiilt oi the past year. Britain had recovered i'rom the disaster oi 1947 and was "iorgiug ahead," he said. "Now we are looking forwa'rd to yields which are in excess of the teu year average." He said: "If we are Ificky with. the weather in the next few weeks, I antieipate the output in 1948-49 will reach the peak level oi 1943-44." Kei'erring to agriculture machinery, Mr. Williams said that the industry's consumption of steel had doubled in the last two years. Very hig orders tor farm machinery had been given to manufaclurers and most types oi agricultural machinery were being produced at ten times the rate oi 1938. Certain special types of machinery would have to continuc 1 o be im])orted since they were not made-in Britain and as many as could be acquired would be imported. The Government was, however, engaged in stimulating new ventures. "We" have now reached the stage," he continued, "where we are not only meeting the general needs of the home market but we wiil also be produeing we hope, by tlie end of this year, £3.000,000 worth per month for the home market and £2,000,000 worth per month for export." Afore phosphate I'ertilisers would be provided and next year the Government hoped to brenk all records with Ihe supply oi* nitrogen fertilisers, he addeth