Slow Expansion Of N.Z. Production

Chronicle (Levin), 21 November 1949, Page 5

Slow Expansion Of N.Z. Production

Received Sunday, 7.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, Nov. 19. Food production throughout the world in 1948-49 showed a great improvement except in Australia and New Zealand, said the annual report of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. The production in both Dominions suggested expansion although at & comparatively slow rate. However, the high level of food supplies in the United States, Australia and New Zealand should be sufficient to provide an adequate diet for everyone. Well fed people were no better off thaft before but the poorly fed, fcr the most part, were worse off, said the report. "The people in the majority of underdeveloped countries live as poorly today as their parents and grandparents lived. There is no evidence that the gap in living standards between the rich and poor countries is being narrowed. The contrary is true beeause once a country has attained a certain leveV of wealth, it accumulates further capital without much effort and cumulatively adds to its prosperity." Discussing world health, the report said: "In some groups there is a low intake of certain nutrients. In others an over consumption of callories leading to overweight, is becoming a problem. The relationship between overweight and certain degenerative diseases is being studied." The use of iodised salt in New Zealand had shown a marked reduction in goitre among children. Official estimates for Australia and New Zealand showed that only small increases were expected in the output of meat and milk in 1950-51. Indications pointed to some expansion in international trade in livestock products during the next few years. Canada might have as much as 17,000 tons of butter available for export in 1950-51 but in Australia and New Zealand, only small changes in export supplies were expected, with exports of all livestock food products at a lower level than in 1947. Australian production of sawn timber in 1948 reached a record of almost 1,000,000 standards. New Zealand was expected to be in a position to export about 70,000 standards by 1955 without in any way depleting her forest resources.