THE WORST EVER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 6, 2 October 1943, Page 6

THE WORST EVER

Season. In Wairarapa

Dominion Special Service. MASTERTON, October 1.

The opinion that the current season is the worst ever experienced in the rapa has been voiced to “The Dominion" by many farmers. Heavy losses of stock are reported, due to the autumn drought and a lack of winter feed. Lambing percentages are about 10 per cent, down, and it is expected that the coming season’s wool clip will be lighter than the average. The drought experienced in the autumn checked- winter growth. Some -farmers could not get grazing at any price and stock was sold out of the district. A. large number of cattle have gone through the works as boners. Butter and cheese production is well down. Wheat production is likely to be affected, due to unseasonal rain last month. A shortage of labour and fertilizer is adding to the farmers’ difficulties, as they are not obtaining the maximum production from their lands. Mr. R. W. Kebbell (chairman of the Primary Production Council), states that though Mr. McLagan said that 8000 men were released for farm work none have come to the Wairarapa, and there is still a desperate shortage of labour. Mr. A. Linton, a member of the Dairy Board, considers that the Government will have to face up to the rationing of butter.