FARM PRODUCTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 4 November 1939, Page 10

FARM PRODUCTS

DISTRICT COUNCIL PROMOTING ACTIVITY LABOUR SURVEY HILL LAND FERTILISING Promoted under the Government scheme to foster greater production in the primary industries, the Poverty Bay Primary Production Council, was inaugurated yesterday at a meeting convened by Mr. E. M. Bates, fields instructor of the Department of Agriculture.

One of the first steps to be taken by the council will be a survey of farm labour problems, with a view to ensuring that adequate labour is made available where it can be used economically. There were present at the meeting Mr. E. M. Bates, of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. W. L. Rutledge, Matawai Settlers’ Association, Mr. C. 11. Williams, Poverty Bay Sheepowners’ Association, Messrs. Roland Graham and W. E. Chambeylain, Poverty Bay A. and P. Association, Mr. R. MacDonald, Workers’ Union, Mr. P. Hockley, placement service. Messrs. M. Dovle and J. 11. Sunderland. Kia Ora Dairy Company, Mr. G. V. Smith. Grass Seed Growers’ Association, of Young Farmers' Clubs, Mr. T. R. Jolies. Farmers’ Union, Mr. W. A. MeCliskie, Poverty Bay Pig Council. Mr. J. C. Hardy, Poverty Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, Mr. G. W. Armstrong, Poverty Bay Maize-growers'-Association, and Mr. J. Morrison. Produce Merchants' Association. Mr. Bales explained that he had been instructed by the department to lake steps lo form a district council in furtherance of the Government’s plans to extend production during the Dominion’s special war effort. He expressed pleasure at seeing so good an attendance, as indicating the interest taken by farmers and others associated with the industry in the extension of food production. Mr. Bates pointed out that there were three main avenues, the organisation of labour for farms, the promotion of crops and pastoral work, and the control of supplies. Solving Local Problems

The necessity for local councils was accounted for by the existence of local problems, and he said that the interchange of information perhaps would solve problems on the experience'in other districts.

The speaker reminded the meeting of the national character of the organisation undertaken with the Minister of Agriculture and a national council of primary production. The national council was functioning already. said Mr. Bates, who road correspondence he had received from the headquarter.; of the department regarding the details of organisation, and explained, incidentally, that he had been fortunate enough to induce Mr. W. E. Chamberlain to accept the secretarial duties for the Poverty Bay district council. A I'oimal motion to constitute a district council was moved by Mr. Doyle and seconded by Mr. Smith. Mr. Bates

was elected chairman of the council on the motion of Mr. Sunderland.

Jn acknowledging his election, Mr. Bates expressed the view that this was one of the best schemes the Government had ever brought forward, and that there seemed to be .adequate scope for the district body.

On the motion of Ihe chairman. Mr. W. E. Chamberlain was appointed honorary secretary to the council. Potential Labour Absorption

The chairman stated that the outstanding matter for attention was the recommendation of the national council on tile advisability of a survey of farm labour, and inquiries as to the potential extension of such employment. The possibility of farmers absorbing labour not yet fully experienced was referred to,' and also the necessity of making the best use of shearing labour, as there was every indication that there would be a shortage during the current season. A farm labour committee was appointed in accordance with the national council’s recommendation, comprising representatives of the Farmers’ Union, the New Zealand Workers’ Union, the Poverty Bay Sheepowners’ Association, the Young Farmers’ Clubs, the placement office, the Poverty Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, the Poverty Bay Maizegrowers’ Association, and the Grass Seed Growers’ Association.

Reference was made by the chairman to the likelihood of a shortage

of superphosphate occurring in the near future, Mr. Bates commenting that dependence on partly-acidulated phosphates would be necessary to some extent. In the past Poverty Bay had used only as much superphosphate as Dannevirke, and he presumed a shortage would not be felt greatly.

Hill-country Lambing

Mr. Rutledge pointed out that lambing percentages could be improved by top-dressing, and an effort should be made to secure an increased allocation for this district. He knew that farmers in the Matawai district were keen to do more top-dressing.

Mr. Graham said that the trouble with top-dressing was that it was not an economic proposition, especially at Matawai.

Mr. P. Hockley pointed out that No. 4b scheme provided for subsidies up to 75 per cent for spreading fertiliser on hill lands.

It was agreed that this would be a great help to farmers, but Mr. Williams stated that the chief obstacle to greater use of fertilisers was the cost of landing them at Gisborne The spreading might cost 3s or 4s per acre, but the landed cost meant 16s or 17s per acre.

On Mr. Williams’ motion, the meeting urged that some form of subsidy should be made available on the prime cost of fertilisers for the district.

In regard to the increased production of grass seeds, Mr. Armstrong suggested that the Department of Agriculture would require to make much better provision for handling seed at the district testing station.

Mr. Bates stated that provision for extension was b'eing made. Haymaking by Contract

A short discussion took place on the necessity for increasing the .making of hay and ensilage, and mention was made of the impossibility of securing hay-baling wire. A suggestion was made by Mr. Sunderland that gangs might be arranged to work hay on a contract price per acre, and Mr. Hockley considered that this suggestion could be put into operation with satisfactory results. Mr. Rutledge moved that the council support a recommendation from the Matawai Settlers’ Association that the Government be asked to provide special finance to encourage stumping and cultivation of land not yet producing economically, in cases where the farmers were unable, owing to existing mortgage liabilities, to secure advances from banks and firms. The motion was not generally supported, but was referred to the labour subcommittee for consideration.

In reference to fertiliser supplies, Mr. Williams suggested that the requirements of the district might be ascertained through the mercantile firms and that the Government be asked to provide rolling-stock to handle fertiliser traffic.

Mr. Armstrong pointed out that last season delays occurred in entraining orders from the factories and in clearing trucks when delivery was made. Cheap Grain For Figs

Mr. Rutledge suggested that the Government should establish a depot in Gisborne to hold stocks of fertiliser, and this suggestion found general support, Mr. Armstrong pointing out that what was needed was some means of saving the farmers the cost of putting fertilisers into store. It was stated that the difference in cost as between fertiliser delivered ex wharf and ex store was 7s per ton. On behalf of the Pig Council, Mr. McCliskie stated that farmers found great difficulty in carrying pigs over from porker weights to baconer weights during the autumn. At the present price of grain it was not possible to feed it to the pigs. He suggested that the Government should make cheap grain available for pig production.

Mr. Smith suggested that the obvious remedy was for the pig-raisers to plant their own supplies of maize. Mr. McCliskie: But it sells at 5s 6d a bushel! (Laughter.)

Other farmers present considered that there should be means of handling maize cheaply, purely for pig production, Mr. Doyle suggested that barley could be handled by subsidised labour and stacked only, and thus made available to the pig producers. The meeting agreed to send forward a i ecommendation on the lines suggested by Mr. McCliskie.