WAIROA EXPORTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20127, 22 December 1939, Page 6

WAIROA EXPORTS

GREATER PRODUCTION COMMITTEE’S EFFORTS GROWING OF PEAS SECOND GRADE LAMBS (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Every effort is being made to increase Wairoa’s productive capacity to meet the requirements brought about as a result of the war, and several schemes are being advanced by the Wairoa committee working under the National Council of Primary Production. One of the suggestions is that large areas of land about the district should be cultivated and utilised for the growing of peas, and it is considered that in this direction Wairoa could assist materially. There is at present an increasing demand for peas for canning purposes, and Wairoa is considered to be eminently suitable for the growing of them.

The committee, therefore, is recommending to farmers in the district that they seriously consider going in for the planting of peas on an extensive scale. It is . pointed out . that the crops require comparatively little attention, and that the growing of them would prove to be profitable. The peas are threshed by mechanical means, and a big advantage is that the growth left after threshing is suitable for supplementing feed supplies.

It is stated on good authority that canning firms in Hawke’s Bay would be willing to take up the peas that could be produced in this district.

Wairoa Canning Project

In connection with the suggestion, the Wairoa manager of Swift, New Zealand, Company, Limited, told a reporter that he hoped to be in a position to make an announcement shortly that large quantities of peas grown in this district could be utilised. The scheme, it was stated, provided for the putting up in cans of packs of peas with meat. It was not intended to can the peas on their own here. Efforts also are being made by the committee to have all the Maori land in the district brought under production, and if this proves successful there is no doubt that it will bring about a great increase in the volume of production.

Steps also are to be taken to reduce the incidence of disease among stock in the district.

It is- recommended that as much grain as possible be grown in this district for the fattening and raising of pigs, and also for growing seed for future use. It is pointed out that Wairoa is particularly suited for the growing of maize, and in view of the fact.that importations may not be possible in the near future, farmers are advised" to grow as much maize as possible. The need, for harvesting as much hay and the making of as much ensilage as possible also is stressed. Special Grade of Light Lambs The committee has recommended that every effort be made to light second grade lambs included in the exports for this district. It is stated that owing to the nature of the country in Wairoa a large number of these light second class lambs were required to be killed annually, and it meant a heavy loss to the district if there were no outlet for them.

Commenting on this aspect of the district’s production, Mr. Crichton pointed out that Swifts already had taken the question up with the Marketing Department with a view to having these lambs included in the exports.

Mr. Crichton added that Swifts had established a special grade last year, called light seconds, but which, at that time was not permitted to be exported. However, permission to export this class was eventually obtained, but the new regulations had prevented their shipment outside New Zealand.

In connection with farm labour, a committee consisting of Messrs P. J. O’Kane, Farmers’ Union, J. Fish, Workers’ Union, L. Wilson, Social Security Department ,and R. J. Powdrell, Young Farmers’ Club, has been formed to watch the interests of farmers.