WAR PRODUCTION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32415, 3 April 1944, Page 3

WAR PRODUCTION

INCREASE OR DECREASE VIEWS OF MR J. THORN, M.P. “During the war period primary production has enormously increased,’’ .said Mr J. Thorn, M.P., in the House of Representatives. “That is clearly shown in the document issued to all members of the House by the National Service Department. The production of wool has increased enormously, so has meat, and so also has the area in crops. “The only commodity in connection with which any real apprehension might be felt is dairy produce, but in the first three years of the war — 1939-40, 1940-41, and 1941-42—the output of dairy produce was maintained at the average per year for the threeyear period immediately before the war, except that in 1940-41, which was a miracle of a production season, the production was 12,000 tons higher than the average of those three years. Production fell in 1942-43 and 1943-44, and last year it was about 23,000 tons less in butter and cheese than in 194142. “We all knew the reasons. The reasons were four in the main. The first was the changing and chopping from butter to cheese, and then from cheese back to butter. A second reason •'was the lack of fertiliser. The third reason was the labour shortage, and the fourth was unfavourable weather. The last has been a 'big factor in the reduction of output of dairy produce. “Where the weather has been good, production has increased even though there has been a fertiliser shortage, and a shortage of labour. A paragraph which appeared on February 9 last will show that dairy production is increasing in the district represented by the member for Hauraki. Experience On Plains The paragraph is as follows: “While most other districts are reporting a fall in production due to drought conditions, the reverse is being experienced on the Hauraki Plains, and increases are reported in production generally. For the period ended January 31, as compared with the same period last year, the Hauraki Plains Co-opera-tive Dairy Company at Turua reports an increase of a little over two per cent. The same number of' cows is supplying the factory as in the past.” “That, seems to show that notwithstanding the fertiliser and labour shortages, production will be increased if the weather is favourable, even though prices of dairy produce are

held on their present levels. That paragraph proves, too, that the dairy farmers are willing to co-operate with the Government, notwithstanding the alleged disturbing regulations concerning them.”