APPEAL TO FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 8

APPEAL TO FARMERS

FOR INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTION

A WAR TIME DUTY A FARMER'S ADVICE TO FARMERS. By Telegraph.—Bpeclfll Correspondent. Marton, March 7. A matter requiring very serious consideration on tho part of producers was referred to at tho opening of the Marton A. and 1 , . Show to-day by Mr. E. Newman, M.J.*. for Bangitikoi. During the year, ho said, New Zoaland farmers had been prosperous because of the high prices ruling for exports, but tho Dominion's prosperity was duo to higher prices, and not to increased exports. It was not good, ho thought, sliat such a state of affairs should exist. In support of the statement lie had made, Mr. Newman quotod somo figures showing that tho wool exported in 191-1 totalled 220,000,0001b5. In 1915 this fell to 196,000,001b5., and in 1916 to 180,000,0001b5. As an offset to' the! decreased, oxport, however, prices had soared upwards, and values were as follows:—1914, £9,000,000; 1915, £10,000,000; and 1916, £12,000,000. These figures indicated a reduced production of 84,000,0001b5. since 1914, which, under normal conditions, would havo meant a substantially-re-duced income to wool-growers. Then, again, taking frozen meat, the quantity exported decreased from 3,591,000 owt. in 1915 to 3,326,000 cwt. in 191(i. Tho export of butter fell from 420,000 cwt. to 358,000 cwt. during tho same period, but cheese increased slightlv from 863,000 cwt. to 949,000 cwt. The figures he had quoted disclosed tho unpleasant fact that our main products were being reduced in quantity, instead of being increased. It was well that farmers throughout the country should be informed of this fact, because it was clearly their duty to increase the production.

Mr. Newman went on to show that the prosperity of New Zealand depended upon the prosperity of the farmers, and everything which hindered farmers in their, work injured the country. Speaking as a farmer to farmers, he therefore appealed 'to the patriotism of producers, and urged tiiem to grow more foodstuffs for people less favourably .situated. Hβ pointed out one direction in which they could substantially assist—namely, by growing wheat. It was not for the farmers just now to criticise too closely the methods adopted by the Government in fixing the prices of wheat, bnt they should rather go in for increased production, despite reduced labour, more particularly in regard to wheat. Tho Government were quite aware of the shortage, and lie personally, knowing th» difficulty thoro was in growing wheat, still pleaded with tho farmers of tho Rangitikei to put all personal feelings on one side, and for the good of the country and the boys who were fighting for us at the front, to grow as much wheat and potatoes as possible. It was tho duty of all who could not go to tho front to increase the production of food. He did not suggest that farmers should PUD all their land under crop, but only that each one who liad suitable land should endeavour to grow some wheat in spite of the, difficulties arising from tho shortage, df labour and generally increased cost of production. ■ Another" point Mr. Newman referred ■to was that tho farmers' unions were desirous of assisting in the work of supervision of farms belonging to men going to the war. Ho appealed to retired farmers or those not fully occupied to offer their services for this important duty.