SOWING OF WHEAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20913, 13 October 1942, Page 2

SOWING OF WHEAT

BIG INCREASE SOUGHT EXTRA 50,000 ACRES APPEAL TO FARMERS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. An announcement that he was asking the wheat growers of the Dominion lo co-operate with the Wheat Committee and the primary production councils to increase the area under wheat from 300,000 acres in 1942-43 to 350,000 acres for 1943-44 harvest, was made by the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Growers and prospective growers would be urged to indicate by means of a contract form the areas they are prepared to sow next season. Mr. Sullivan said that to be able to provide sufficient of certain lines of primary produce to meet the requirements of the Allied forces in the Pacific area and to satisfy the needs of the civilian population, a marked increase in the volume of these lines of production was absolutely imoerative.

While fully recognising the difficulties under which the producers will be obliged to labour, bjjt having regal'd to their loyalty and to their achievements in the past, he was confident that, with the co-operation of Ihe other interests concerned, the required increase in the volume of production could be obtained, and the needs of the Dominion fully met.

“Most of our farmers are co-oper-ating whole-heartedly and are making a sincere effort to do their part, but unfortunately there are still some who have not yet recognised their national responsibility,” Mr. Sullivan said.' “To meet such cases it is necessary to ensure that all farmers bear their fair share of responsibility. I will personally do my best to overcome the labour problem that may arise iri connection with the planting of the crop,” concluded Mr. Sullivan, “and it can be definitely accepted that the Government will ensure that the crop is harvested.”