PRIMARY PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1939, Page 8

PRIMARY PRODUCE

MASTERTON DISTRICT COUNCIL SET UP Maintaining and Increasing Production ACTION UNDER WAR EMERGENCY REGULATIONS MOVE TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS - / A Masterton District Council of Primary Production was set up at a meeting held in Masterton attended by representatives of the Department of Agriculture, farming interests and others, with a view to ensuring the maintenance of, and if possible, increasing primary production in New Zealand. Those present were: Messrs N. Lamont, Department of Agriculture (convenor and chairman), 11. Morrison (Farmers’ Union), J. Robertson, M.P., R. F. R. Beetham (N.Z. Sheepowners’ Federation), R. E. Gordon Lee (Masterton A. & P. Association), J. G. Ilanaghan (State Placement Officer), W. James (Young Farmers’ Clubs), R. R. Tilson (Wairarapa A. & P. Society) and R. H. Williams (secretary of the Masterton A. & P. Association and the Farmers’ Union). Tn his opening remarks, Mr Lamont expressed his thanks to those present for their ready response to his request for their attendance at the meeting, particularly in view of the very short notice given. He briefly' outlined the organisation set up with the object of maintaining and if possible increasing primary production in the Dominion. A National Council was already functioning and it was necessary to establish district councils without delay in order jo provide local information and generally implement the policy of the national body.

A circular letter from the National Council was read in which the constitution and work of the district councils was outlined. The chairman pointed out also that the main function of the council was to co-ordin-ate the efforts of existing organisations of primary producers rather than to displace these. Tn view of the fact that instructors of the Department of Agriculture were acting as convenors of the district councils, it was agreed that the Masterton Council’s boundaries be those of the Wairarapa instructorate. This area can be defined as follows —that area between the Tararua Ranges and the East Coast, south of, and not including the Pahiatua and Akitio countries.

ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED

The Chairman pointed out that owing to the urgency of the matter, it had not been possible for the initial meeting to ask the various organisations to appoint a representative. He had therefore simply approached the chairmen of the principal organisations directly and their appointment to the council would need to be confirmed by their organisations or a substitute found. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the council be kept as small as possible as it should thereby be the more efficient and effective. Furthermore the function of the council was primarily a co-ordinating one, while, if necessary, sub-committees could be appointed for special purposes.

It was decided that the following constitute the council:— (1) The local Instructor in Agriculture; (2) The local Placement Officer; (3) One representative of the New Zealand Workers’ Union; (4) Two representatives of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, one of whom would directly represent dairying interests; (5) One representative of each of the A. and P. associations in the area; (6) One representative of the Young Farmers’ Club’s; (7) One representative of the New Zealand Sheeppwners’ Federation. It was realised that on occasions the council would require contacts in various parts of the district in order to provide purely local information, to arrange meetings and generally to act as a contact between the council and farmers in the various localities. It was decided, therefore, to ask the local branches of the Farmers’ Union and Young Farmers’ clubs to act in this capacity and, if necessary, for these local organisations to set up a committee of two or three who could act in cases of urgency. The following centres were named: —Eketahuna, Alfred ■ ton. Tinui, Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Martinborough and Upper Hutt (providing the last-named was not in any case joining up with Makara). FARM LABOUR Several matters suggested by the National Council for immediate consideration were discussed. In regard to farm labour supply it was agreed that this was probably tho most important single factor to be considered, particularly at present with shearing and harvesting approaching. It was understood that most farmers had already n.ade arrangements for shearing but in the event of any shortages being reported endeavours must be made to supply these and effective machinery t > achieve this must be devised. It was pointed out that less than half of the Dominion’s dairying and fat lamb country was at present being top--dressed, although this type of country invariably yielded profitable returns from topdressing. Every endeavour should, therefore, be made to increase thd area topdressed and to this end a suitable publicity campaign should be i initiated. So far as hill country was i concerned a scheme would be consid- : ejed for the organising of hand-sowing J

gangs. In the meantime, it was desired to draw farmers’ attention to the great assistance that could be given by their obtaining or at least ordering their supplies well in advance in order to reduce the strain on manufacturing and transport facilities. PASTURES AND CROP SEEDS Statistics were quoted to show that the supply of good quality pasture seed was far below the requirements for normal re-sowings of permanent pastures. This shortage was likely to be accentuated if, as might be expected, the programme led to an increase of areas under the plough. It was felt that, publicity should be given to the point and all owners of good permanent pastures urged to save seed, if not by closing up, then at least by stripping as large an area as possible. At the present time a large proportion of our supplies of crop and vegetable seeds were imported, in many cases from European sources. It would now be necessary to provide for outown requirements and the necessary information on this matter would be obtained.

i It was of the utmost importance that I every safeguard should be taken to avoid decreases in production due to unfavourable seasonal conditions and, to this end reserve supplies of hay and er.Silage should be established. The maximum area of arable crops should also be sown for the same reason and also for the purpose of providing foods for pigs. All exported pig meat must be in the form of baconers and it was felt that the situation could only be met by either buying in meals, etc, or by what was probably the cheaper method, the growing of special root and cereal crops. Similar remarks regarding increased provision of sheep forages were made, while mentioib was also made of the benefits of flushing for increasing lambing percentages and of better winter feeding on the health and milking of ewes. As to the elimination of leakages in production the importance of maintaining adequate supplies of labour for controlling scrub on hill country was brought under notice, as the serious effects of neglect for even a short period were only too well known. Other factors were crop diseases and stock diseases. The former, if they arise to an important extent might become the object of co-operative effort, while the latter could best be tackled by more attention to feeding, particularly * during the winter. It was realised that the majority of problems mentioned were entirely matters for publicity—in effect, the work of the District Council would be in considerable measure the extension and emphasis of the Department of Agriculture’s existing advisory service.

' SUBCOMMITTEES In view of the urgency of having adequate farm labour a farm labour supply sub-committee was set up. Un - der the constitution of the Council this consists of (a) the representative of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Mr H. Morrison); the representative of the New Zealand Workers’ Union (protein, Mr J, Robertson), and the Placement Officer (Mr J- G. Hanaghan). If necessary this sub-committee will be enlarged. It was agreed that the first duty of this sub-committee would be to conduct a survey of the labour position at present and to determine immediate future requirements. The appointment of other sub-com-mittees was deferred in the meantime.

In closing the meeting the chairman pointed out that it had given members an outline of the objects and scope of the council, and they would now be in a position to report back to their parent organisations, and consider how far these could contribute to the common cause.