ALL WILL SUFFER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32408, 17 March 1944, Page 5

ALL WILL SUFFER

FARMERS MEET IN PAEROA DECLINE IN PRODUCTION WHOLE COUNTRY AFFECTED That the whole of New Zealand would eventually suffer as the result of the decline in production of dairy produce was the opinion expressed at a meeting of farmers held in the Civic Hall, ‘Paeroa, on Monday morning; it 'being stressed that the Dominion. was entirely dependent on its exports to maintain the present standard of living and exports were rapidly decreasing. The meeting which had been called by the Netherton Farmers’ Union was open to all farmers and was presided over by Mr W. H. Cheale. Farmers were present from 'Komata, Netherton, Kerepeehi and Ngatea. Mr C. Townshend acted as secretary. Mr Cheale in opening the meeting explained that the reason for calling the farmers together was to enable them to discuss their problems so that better conditions for all could be obtained.' The need for increased production so that the people in Britain would not receive yet a further cut in an already meagre ration was emphasised by the speaker who stressed the seriousness of the position in Britain. In his opinion the decline in production was due partly to the dissatisfaction of the average farmer and; it seemed that one had to go back to 1'939 when the guaranteed price was introduced to find the cause for this dissatisfaction. The writing down by Hon. W. Nash of the recommendations from the commission set up to go into the question of the guaranteed price was largely to blame for the dissatisfaction which existed among farmers to-day, continued Mr Cheale. Position Deteriorates The speaker then compared the position of the average farmer in 1939 with the position to-day. In 1939, said Mr Cheale, a farmer could have an income of £6oo' and the only tax he had to pay was the Social Security Tax of Is in the ■£, leaving £570. To-day he had to pay income tax as well as Social Security and National Security taxes which reduced his income to £459. The farmer was £l'lo worse off to-day as far as his income was concerned, than he was in 1939 and yet to-day he had to pay much more for all the materials he used. Farmers, he pointed out, did not get. the 5 per cent, increases given to other workers when taxation had been raised. Speaking on the question of pig production Mr Cheale pointed out that more and more farmers were becoming discouraged in this important side line and were going out of pig production. This was because of the unsatisfactory price (being paid for fat pigs to-day. He referred to the difference between the price paid in Australia, 9d per lb., and that in New Zealand, 6Sd per lb., yet both countries were selling in the same market. Australian farmers also had the advantage of being able to buy pig food at cheaper prices and the protection of knowing that 12 months’ notice would be given of any change of price. .Such an unjust arrangement was the cause for much dissatisfaction among farmers. 'Rise In Guaranteed Price Mr Cheale contended that the Government should at least give the farmers the Id rise in the guaranteed price which they had been promised. Such an increase would do much to encourage farmers to maintain present production and to even increase it. To increase the production of pigs the Government should at least give the New Zealand farmer the ’same conditions as ruled in Australia.: Mr Cheale read an article from the New Zealand Dairy Farmer which disclosed that over 3000' farmers had recently gone out of dairying and this would result in a serious fall in production. *‘lt is the duty of every farmer to bring forward any possible proposal to stop this continued fall in production and so help in the war,” concluded Mr Cheale. Mr D. ; G. McMillan (Kerepeehi), stated that the fall in production would affect all eventually—the worker in the town as well as the farmer. The country, he explained, lived on its exports and if these fell there was less money to spend and all were affected.- The problem was not only a local br farmer’s’ one but was a national matter. Continuing, Mr McMillan said the loss of 3000 dairy farmers was serious indeed as the cows these men had milked had mostly been killed and

could not 'be replaced quickly.. Farm- ' ers, he urged, would have to increase all farmers to rear more calves in the future emphasising the need for these if production was to be kept up. Position Serious Mr C. Townshend (Netherton), said that the object of the meeting was to investigate ways and- means of stopping the fall in production. Farmers would have to take steps to awaken the 'Government to the seriousness of the position. The heads of the farming industry were trying to get the Government to realise the position but they needed the fullest possible support from the individual farmers if they were to achieve anything. Mr C. W. Schultz (Ngatea) said he was interested in the question of rearing calves but he pointed out, weaners to-day could be purchased at the same price as charged for them six or seven years ago. If more calves were needed to-day to keep up the herds surely the law of supply and demand would have forced' the price up. Mr Cheale replied that farmers were not interested to-day in increasing* production. Mr Schultz urged that steps be taken to stop the wastage in herds. Herd wastage was increasing each year and if this was stopped it would be of great value to the industry. He their herds. More calves would have to be reared to increase production and servicemen returning and being put on the land would also require herds. “New Zealand is suffering and will suffer because of the lack of sympathy shown by the 'Government for the farmer,” said Mr McMillan, adding that Britain was in desperate need of food and could only get. more from two sources —Australia and New Zealand. In conclusion Mr McMillan urged could not see how farmers could rear more calves without they had more, manure to grow more grass. At present the feed was not available to raise more calves. Need For Planning Mr Townshend said the question of running more calves would need planning. As soon as calves were increased they would have to Ibe sold to graziers as dairy farmers could not keep them. He emphasised the demand for stock which would arise in the future, especially when the servicemen were being rehabilitated. Mr Cheale emphasised that it

would fee necessary that only the • right type of calf was geared. _ ( Mr G. W. Wild (Tirohik). asked.that figures stating the calves reared last year* and before be secured so that all-could know just how these figures were falling if they were. All knew that was being killed more calves were reared to replace them. Mr McMillan prophesied that after the war the sheep industry would be seriously affected and many farmers would have to revert to dairyings This, he pointed out, would create a demand for heifers. Many sheep farmers could spare the grass to raise a large number of heifers. He suggested that a committee be formed to investigate the whole position and report to a future meeting. The following committee was appointed to investigate the question of holding regular monthly meetings and to table the information required at the next meeting. The committee appointed as under: —Messrs W. H. Cheale (chairman), C. Townshend (secretary), C. W. Schultz (Ngatea), D. G. .McMillan (Kerepeehi), F. Thorp (Paeroa), H. C. Jackson (Tiro—hia), F. Lewis (Paeroa), H. Baker (Turua), W. H. Groube (Komata) and G. W. Wild (Tirohia).