PATUMAHOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 271, 1 May 1917, Page 3

PATUMAHOE

WHEAT GROWING AND THE WAR Following upon the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Franklin County Council a meeting of farmers convened by the member of the Mauku Riding to discuss the best tneins of inducing farmers to guard against shortage of food supplies by growing wheat during the coming season, was held in the Patumahoe Hall last Thursday evening. Farmers from Mauku, Patumahoe and Waiau were in attendance. Mr J. Henry, member for the riding, in explaining the reason for the meeting pointed out that the production of wheat, for the last two or three years in the Dominion had been below the population's requirements. There was, he said, 6trong evidence of a world's shortage during the coming season, in which event New Zealand would be unable to procure supplies from abroad. In any case during the continuance of the war want of shipping facilities would be a bar to importation. It was therefore not only the duty but the interest of farmers to see that every man who had land suitable for wheat growing should plant an area in proportion to his holding. Considerable discussion took place as to possibilities of obtaining labour for harvesting and the fitness of the different districts for wheat growing. It was evident from the discussion thut Mauku and Patumahoe were considered good for the purpose, most of the land having grown good wheat in the past. The Waiau lands were considered ununited for the usual varieties with the exception of tha fl it lands bordering on the Manukau harbour where the Clark families had grown good wheat about the time of the Waikato Native troubles some 50 years ago. Some were of the opinion that the Waiau high lands would grow certain varieties all right, as one or two plantings of " Bordeaux " had given fair returns The feeling of the meeting was that wheat growing would not be profitable from a financial point of view, but in order to avoid a food shortage and from motives of patriotism every farmer should plant an area large or small, according to his means and holding. Every farmer present promised to put in a paddock of whea', the areas ranging from five to twenty acres. A committee to take the business in hand, each member to canvass his part of the district with lists whereon to gel the signatures of farmers and the areas of wheat they will plant, was appointed as follows ( viz.:

Messrs J. Golds worthy, R. Johns, J. Henry, W. Gearon, R. Sommerville, E. C CufF, M. Crispe, G H. Learning and A E. Robinson, with Mr Smythe (of Mauku) as secretary. The meeting also unanimously passed the following resolution, proposed by Mr W. Finlay and seconded by Mr J. B. Goldsworthy, viz, " Tkat in the opinion of this meeting of farmers of the Mauku District in view of a probable shortage the coming season all farmers throughout the Dominion holding land suitable for wheat growing, should sow an area in wheat in order to ensure an adequate supply of this most necessary food product, and thereby assist New Zealand to continue her efforts in helping to bring the present regrettable war to an early and victorious conclusion.'' The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. Mr J. Henry has been advised by the Minister of Public Works that the Cabinet has accepted and let a contract for the erection of station buildings, etc., both at Patumhoe and Mauku.