FARMING AFFAIRS

Lake County Mail, Issue 21, 15 October 1947, Page 3

FARMING AFFAIRS

AID FOR BRITAIN CAMPAIGN Provincial and branch executives of Federated Farmers are busily engaged in. setting up production committees to take part in the drive for increased production. These committees, working under the general direction of the Central Committee at headquarters of the Federation have the responsibility of carrying out the detailed work of N stimulating production. Already many of the brunch committees have commenced a canvass of individual farmers to obtain an estimate of possible increases and the national picture will be developed from the results of that canvass. The Federation acts in close liaison with the national council of the campaign through its representative, Mr H. E. Clyde, and already several practical proposals are being implemented. One of these concerns baling wire used on double-dumped wool bales and by arrangement with the Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee, wire used on those double-dumps will be recovered in Britain and returned to IVew Zealand for use a second time, the first shipment is already on its way back to New Zealand and it will be a substantial contribution to the baling wire shortage. As a long term project in increasing production, it is probable that efforts will be made to import drain-laying machines available from both Britain and the United States. An extensive use of such machines would enable swamp areas in many parts of New Zealand to be brought into production. BALING TWINE An arrangement by the manufacturers that baling twine will be sold only to owners of pick-up balers, has been the subject of representation by Federated Farmers to the Minister of Industries and Commerce. According to information received by the Federation the manufacturers’ production of such twine this year will be approximately 500 tons, and it is estimated that 300 tons of that will be required for pick-up balers. In the Federation’s opinion there should be at least 200 tons available for users of stationary balers who cannot obtain wire. The Minister has asked for a report from his department and it is hoped some action will be taken to supply the owners of stationary balers with twine in place of the usual wire.