VITAL INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26634, 3 December 1947, Page 6

VITAL INDUSTRY

FARMING IN DOMINION NEED FOR ENCOURAGEMENT PROVISION OF ADEQUATE LABOUR P.A. WELLINGTON. Dec. 2. The greatest national effort should be made to make more labour available to farmers, even should that effort encompass steps normally regarded as " almost revolutionary.” This contention was advanced to the Royal Commission on Sheep Farming when submissions were made on behalf of the New Zealand Stock and Station Agents’ Association by Mr R. S- Plimmer. An industry rrrUst languish if the assets upon which it was dependent were permitted to deteriorate, and it was during periods of prosperity that capital assets should be maintained and improved, he said. As the farming industry was the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, it was submitted that very help and encouragement should be. given to individual farmers to strengthen their financial position and improve their assets in the way of land and live stock during times of good prices. It was submitted that, when the overseas supply position became anything like normal, priority should be given to imports which were essential for the adequate running and proper maintenance of farms. It would be wrong if overseas funds created by the sale of farm produce were used to import, for example, luxury lines while there was an internal shortage of essential farm requisites obtainable from overseas. The rehabilitation of returned servicemen in the farming industry was really a major operation in the Dominion's economy, he continued. It could upset the balance between the production of dairy produce on the one hand and meat and wool on the other. In the course of time it might well happen that because of the settlement of returned men as dairy farmers on fattening land there would be insufficient fattening land to handle all the store stock. This matter must be approached in a far-sighted manner. “We regard it with some seriousness. and hope that the policy now being followed is not just a hit or miss one,” Mr Plimmer said.