Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1940. SHEEP-FARMERS CONFER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 161, 7 June 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1940. SHEEP-FARMERS CONFER.

Tii-e annual sheep-farmers’ conference at Massey College is being lield in tlie shadow of a crisis that demands of them the greatest effort to meet the food problem in Britain. Since the Continental markets were closed through Hitler’s aggression this Dominion has been continually reminded of a duty that must be discharged. In his recent broadcast address the Minister for Marketing- stated that New Zealand is producing- butter, cheese, and meat far in excess of the amount which the Mother Country contracted to take, but he did not say that these limits could not be exceeded. On the other hand, he remarked that the demand for pig meats was practically unlimited, and it is worthy of note that the British Minister fowAgriculture, in explaining- the United Kingdom’s big drive to increase production, said that one reason for it was that ships which must now go further afield for food supplies were required to a greater extent for the carriage of munitions. Imports of feeding stuffs for pigs and also for poultry, he said, must be reduced to make way for munitions. The subject was discussed .by the sheep-farmers at the opening- of their conference when valuable (suggestions were made for giving

effect to the Government s requests. Three factors which govern production by sheep-farmers were mentioned management, finance, and labour—and the Government has already taken action in regard to the last two which should be the subject of careful examination by farmers, so that they can take full advantage of any benefits granted. On the subject of labour Sir William Perry has timely urged that men should be retained on farms instead of enlisting, but they are offering for overseas service rather than be classed as consciipts. There has been a big drain of valuable labour' for the farms, yet the Minister of Labour • says he has 500 men suitable for farm

work wnose pay win ul chi ring tkeir training period, but. they are not wanted. Mr Cockayne’s address to the farmers at Massey College was full of valuable advice, disclosing profitable lines along which the sheep industry could proceed to increase returns from the farms. He quickly discarded any suggestion that farmers should Krt . a . "policy whose

effects he lias personal knowledge of after visiting Old World countries where it has been put into operation. By preferring _ that the farmer should be an individualist he went straight to the core of the matter; but at the same -time there should be surely organised planning, something in

the nature of an advisory council for important districts, of which mention was made earlier, and to which farmers could look for advice. The best farming brains in each district must form these councils which could be responsible to a higher authority. Then problems such as surplus production, canning, shipping, storage, finance, and labour could be resolved to the satisfaction of producers. The most effective coordination and organisation are required urgently, and this can only come from a vigorous determination at the source.. The country’s producers are keen _to do their duty, but the lead is still awuited.