The Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1944. A Critical front

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 52, 4 March 1944, Page 4

The Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1944. A Critical front

The title of this article docs not refer to the Anzio beachhead nor to any other front of armed conflict. It does not refer to the production of shipping- nor of any form of munitions or armaments. It refers to that which has now become the Allied Nations’ supremely critical front—The Food Front. Repeated statements from Britain show all too clearly that a most grave situation is arising wherein doubts are held as to whether it will be possible to maintain the so meagre current rations of 2oz. of butter and 15oz. of meats weekly per person'— compared with New Zealand’s Boz. of butter and 400 z.-plus of meats. And this at a time when the United Kingdom is being crowded with freshly arrived troops, additional to those long there, as a prelude to the opening of the attack upon the Continent—for that last supreme battle in which -utter defeat has to be inflicted upon a powerful and desperate enemy. And then when that victory has been gained there will come the task of utmost urgency, to rush foods to the starving people of the formerly occupied countries. New Zealand as one of the world’s leading exporters of meats and dairy produce has a major role to play in this aspect of the war—in this battle upon the food front. Nor has that role been suddenly sprung upon us. For long months past and dating back to even more than a year, there have been repeated warnings of what would be required of us. Yet so far from production being maintained, let alone expanded, it has steadily ebbed to lower and lower levels. The Speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament reflects the Government attitude towards this supremely important problem confronting the Dominion. There is indeed ample reference to the importance of food production, quite 500 words or half a column ot* print, being devoted to the subject. But still the question has to be raised as to whether or not the Government does really comprehend or appreciate the matter in its true proportions'/ “Actions speak louder than words.” The Speech from the Throne gives words of recognition of the problem, but where is there a sentence of practical policy? More than five months have passed since the election and yet the country awaits a comprehensive, workable, enlivening plan for primary production. There remains amongst the farming community that same sense of frustration that has prevailed for all too long. Two recent news items bore the headings, “Big Drop in Lamb and Mutton Production,” and “Autumn Manure for Farmers Being Held Up,” accompanied by the sub-heading “Shortage of Railway Trucks.” The fertilising agent of soil is not being provided as it should be, due to industrial trouble on the coalfields. The stabilisation policy (in general an excellent one) is proving a brake upon the production of foodstuffs. Contrast the encouragement given to farmers in Britain, based upon prices paid there as compared with what are received here. These quoted refer to August 31 last, which was the end of summer at Home. For good bacon pigs the British farmer receives £l4 Bs—in sterling be it remembered, the equivalent to £lB in N.Z. money. He receives 17Jd lb. for baconers up to 2601b5. weight. For best ox beef his return was 127 s per lOOlbs., which compares with 34s in New Zealand. For fat lambs he receives 16d for the tops in sterling, which is 20d in N.Z. currency, and that compares with Bfd received here. The British authorities welcome their farmers making money, just as the New Zealand authorities welcome apparently the extraordinary incomes of coalminers and wharf labourers. After all, what does it matter if farmers here substantially increase their incomes, for a great part of such increase will go in taxes and a further portion would doubtless go into war loans. Labour and prices are the twin keys determining production from our farm lands. Labour cannot be satisfactorily provided by declaring farming an “essential” industry and forcing workers on to the land. That policy would prove fatal to results. Farming must be able to pay its way, standing on its own feet—pay at a rate to secure and hold men and women who are willing workers. The problem is not an easy one, the situation warrants the adjective “grave”—not for ourselves but for the people of Britain who have gone through so much. There is required something of a crusading inspiration to give a drive to primary production. The supreme responsibility for this rests with the Government. The task involves both morale building of the farming community and practical measures to encourage and aid productivity. Are the people of the Homeland to suffer for New Zealand’s ineffectiveness in the performance of a plain duty?

Ewes for South Island The North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production agreed recently that it was essential to supply shipping space for the transport next season of up to 150,000 ewes, particularly Romneys, for the South Island. Otherwise, it was stated, the situation would be extremely serious. After a discussion in committee it was stated that the matter would be taken up with the Shipping Controller.

All Saints’ Parish The vestry of All Saints’ Church has purchased a section of land at West End opposite the West End School. It is hoped to erect on thiß site a church room where parishioners who find the distance to All Saints’ too great may have the church services in their own district. The site is a good one, and in the centre of an area that ii thickly populated.