PLANNED PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1940, Page 2

PLANNED PRODUCTION

Detailed Proposals For Wairarapa Counties

IMMEDIATE ACTION ESSENTIAL

Growing of Crops and Increasing Output

CALL ON EVERY DISTRICT FARMER

A survey of the part that the Wairarapa can play in the call for increased production to meet Great Britain’s war requirements, is given by Mr N. Lamont, chairman of the Masterton District Primary Production Council. The proposals detailed below are to be placed before a meeting of the general committee of district proaucers (formed at a meeting addressed by Mr W. J. Polson, M.P., on Friday last), to be held in Masterton next Monday. Mr Lamont s statement and proposals are as follow: —

It is little short of incredible to discover that there are still some persons who fail to appreciate the seriousness of the situation, so far as food supply is concerned, that has arisen or must soon arise in Great Britain. Apparently some expect the Government of England to proclaim daily from Daventry 'that their need is desperate before any effort will be made. Mr W. .L Polson, M.P., when he visited Masterton recently, gave some very telling figures illustrating England’s dependence on imported foodstuffs. We know the extent to which England depended on countries such as Denmark, Holland, Latvia, Esthonia, Lithuania, etc, for primary products and we know the position of those countries today. In the news a day or two ago, reference was made to the introduction, probably a rude one, of New Zealand troops to the rationing system in England. Surely no more is required to make intelligent New Zealanders appreciate the position and understand that England cannot be expected to make herself more plain, short of advising her enemies of the exact state of her food reserves. We can surely realise also that the New Zealand Government is well informed of England’s needs and that we can accept the recently advertised plan as that best suited to meet the position.

We must remember too that to wait six months or eighteen months before we make our effort, may be to wait until famine becomes a stark reality in Europe. We must plan and act now in order to increase our productivity in six months or eighteen months and, by anticipating it, prevent what might well become a desperate tragedy.

It is difficult to visualise in this favoured land what it must be like to be faced with a fact so grim as starvation. But if every farmer, every individual, can but let his or her thoughts dwell upon that fact, not as a distant phantasy, but as an actuality, then will each of us realise the very real responsibility that rests upon us, as a food exporting country.

EFFORT REQUIRED

It is so easy to talk glibly of the Utopian world that is to evolve after the terrible struggle is over. Two things are sure—no such state will simply happen, rather must it be earned—and it will only be earned to the extent that each recognises that his responsibilities on this earth do not begin and end with his own needs but must extend, in like measure, to the needs of his neighbour—whether that neighbour is at home or over the seas. All this has been said before and should not need repetition. Some will even say, perhaps, that it is merely

In addition to the broad review of the productive potentialities of the different counties given in this table, more detailed information relating to individual counties will be provided for local committees.

DISTRICT ORGANISATION

In order to ensure maximum effectiveness and maximum co-ordination of effort the following general scheme of organisation is proposed:— 1. District Council of Primary Production. The Council, as at present constituted, with possibly some increase in numbers, to act as an executive of the large general committee appointed at the recent meeting addressed by Mr Polson. The Council will act as the intermediary between the producers and the National Primary Production organisation in order to keep the former advised of the manner in which matters of general policy affect the district —and the latter advised of difficulties which cannot be overcome locally and which require legislative or other action. 2. District Management Committee. The personnel of this committee was announced in last Saturday’s “TimesAge” and will meet on Monday morning next to discuss the proposals outlined here. It is suggested that it would be unnecessary as well as most inconvenient to those concerned, if these committee members were required to travel long distances to meet frequently. It is hoped, and in fact the main object in publishing these suggestions is that the essential details of our production plan will be finalised on Monday. If this is accomplished then the local committees will be free to get. right down to the real work. Incidentally it would be an assistance if farmers throughout the district were to see that their local representatives were aware of any matters which it is felt should be brought up on Monday. 3. County and Local Organising Committees. It is further suggested that it would

adding to the surfeit of words we have had already. On the contrary, the New Zealand farmer is “the man of the hour." On him as an individual rests the grave responsibility of overcoming all problems that may stand in the light of increased export of foodstuffs. The Government, Department of Agriculture and the Primary Production councils can go on producing plans until they are blue in the face and their efforts will be futile until each and every farmer views and accepts those plans in a spirit of co-operative goodwill. It is upon the individual that the responsibility rests of turning these plans into achievements. At least, that is my conviction and it surely is self evident. On Monday next a large representative committee is to meet to finalise the detailed plans and organisation for this district and a suggested scheme to form a basis of discussion is outlined below. But may I repeat that all this organisation and planning will be futile and ineffectual unless every individual approaches the subject with a mind clearly determined, not merely to seek objections and difficulties, but to put the plans into effect in the teeth of whatever practical or economic problems may arise. It is too late now to discuss what might have been. We have been given a job of .work and each must decide whether he will take it up wholeheartedly or reject it entirely.

PRINCIPAL REQUIREMENTS

Although Great Britain must obviously be desirous of obtaining almost any kind of foodstuffs, certain items have been particularly stressed and it would appear that these are foodstuffs that are relatively easily handled and do not require special storage facilities such as freezing accommodation, etc. In order' of importance we have been asked to supply the following:— 1. Eggs: England uses 240 million dozen eggs. Recently we have supplied none of these but large quantities came from Denmark, etc. There is no limit to the number of eggs we can send. 2. Bacon: We are asked for more bacon with a practical figure at which to aim, given as 10,000 tons increase. 3. Cheese: 15,000 to 20,000 tons, amounting to over 20 per cent, is the increase asked for. 4. Butter: In view of the greater urgency of other' items we are asked to only maintain our present supply. 5. Beef: The most important meat item, is requested in terms of “all possible.” G. Mutton and lamb —also stated as “all possible.” In pursuance of this plan certain other items must be considered because they are incidental to the achievement

be in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness if the organisation were de-centralised to the fullest possible extent; in other words, that the local organising committees endeavour to organise production facilities to the fullest possible extent within their counties or areas and not refer to the District Production Council until all local possibilities are absolutely exhausted. Because of the manner in which statistical- information is made available it is convenient at the moment to deal with counties as a unit. In some cases no further subdivision may be necessary but in others, smaller area committees or specialist sub-committees will be necessary. This is, however, a matter which will be best decided by county meetings. There can be little doubt that a tremendous amount depends upon these local committees and upon the degree of close contact they establish with every individual farmer in their areas -—both through meetings of factory suppliers, etc, and by actual personal contact and example.

DUTIES OF LOCAL COMMITTEES

The duties of these local committees will include the following main items: — (a) Advisory. Where it is considered necessary local committees may have to address meetings of producers in order to both impress them with their responsibilities and to make clear what is precisely required of them. In addition many farmers may require specific guidance as to the area of different crops required in relation to the size of their properties, flocks and herds; others again may be growing crops with which they are unfamiliar and the advice of experienced local farmers should be sought and utilised to the full. It is suggested that every endeavour be made to ensure that advice given is as specific and detailed as possible and in this connection the influence and advice of members of committees will be invaluable, as they are known to

of the actual export requirements. Briefly these incidental aims are that New Zealand must produce sufficient wheat, barley, oats, maize, crop seeds and pasture seeds for all local requirements. Obviously any programme involving increased cropping and grain production must require attention being given to the items listed. WAIRARAPA CONTRIBUTION The next step is to examine in some detail how the Wairarapa district may contribute its share to the principal requirements as set out above. 'l. Eggs. Eighty per cent of New Zealand eggs are produced from poultry kept by farmers wives and we are already advised that the ladies are taking this matter up. We are fortunate also in having a number of experienced poultrymen in the district whose full co-operation, which will be mainly in the direction of breeding next year’s pullets, is assured. Meanwhile our main concern will be the provision of adequate cereals to feed these poultry. 2. Bacon. Our contribution to increased bacon production will be two-fold. Upon the., dairy farmer rests the responsibility of direct production of pig meat but as anarable district we have been asked to share in the growing of a total of 30,000 acres of barley to supply all dairying districts in the North Island with a sufficiency of grain for next autumn and winter. A reasonable area of barley for this district is given as 5,000 acres and the seed has already been purchased by the controller of Primary Production. 3. Cheese. This district is mainly a cheese producing district with 21 factories making cheese and only three making entirely butter. Consequently the increased cheese requirement concerns this district directly and each factory must aim at an increase of at least 20 per cent on past years’ figures. This will be partly obtained by diverting present cream suppliers to cheese factories but attention must also be given to increased milk production on the farm. This in turn will mean more cropping to provide for better summer and winter feeding. 4. Butter. Although this is not a major butter producing district, a responsibility rests on the cream supplier to increase.his production in order to maintain our total butter and compensate for those changing over to cheese. 5. Beef .and Mutton. As one of the major meat producing areas in the Dominion, we are directly concerned with the maintenance and

be able and efficient farmers with the further advantage of intimate knowledge of the locality. (b) Implements, Materials, etc. The increased cropping programme will necessitate the fullest use being made of all available implements and machinery. Committees should be expected to act as exchange centres whereby tractors, etc, can be made available, either on a co-operative or contract basis, as widely as possible. One point in this connection will the contacting in each area of efficient tractor drivers in whose care tractor owners can reasonably be expected to entrust their machines. All the various forms of co-operative endeavour if fostered to the full could produce a really substantial result. Similarly with regard to materials, every roll of used netting and every sheet of old iron must be hunted out and pressed into service. Committees also are asked to keep the Council advised as far ahead as possible, of all requirements of seed, bags, etc. which are likely to crop up and which cannot be met locally. (c) Labour. The question of labour on farms should be dealt with not in the spirit of doing the job with the least outlay and the most profit but on the spirit of using labour on the farm to develop its productive resources to the utmost. The Council should be kept fully informed of all instances where labour can be used productively and every effort will be made to fill such demands. So far as casual labour is concerned —this is another field for co-operative endeavour while no effort should be spared to make use of Young Farmers’ Clubs, schoolboys, students, county or borough workers and so on. Once again all endeavours should be made to fully utilise district and local supplies before calling upon the Council or Placement Officer. (d) Finance. Although final details are not yet announced, we have been assured that cheap finance will be made available

preferable increase of meat exports. It is suggested that an important aim under this item will be the encouragement of the growing of rape, turnip and temporary pasture on available areas amongst hill country. This will not only increase winter carrying capacities as a basis for more production but will enable the flats nearer the main centres to concentrate more upon cereals than upon fattening crops. What is required is, not more carcases, but heavier carcases. 6. Wheat. Our recent expectation was that our part in increased wheat production would be met by an increase of 50 percent in the usual area grown, making a total of 1,500 acres. Recent reports from the South Island, however, indicate that they have been restricted by weather conditions so that every effort is needed to even further extend the area raised this spring in the North Island. I 7. Oats. The area sown for threshed oats in this district has in the past been up to 800 acres and no great increase is required this year. It is suggested that 1,000 acres be the aim. 8. Crop and Grass Seed. We have been assured that all necessary crop seeds which can no longer be obtained from overseas, will be grown in the South Island where the essential expert supervision is available. We will be required, however, to give our attention to the production of grass and clover seeds. Naturally, ai great deal will depend on the season, we have, but a point worth bearing im mind by local committees will be to see that all available strippers are fully utilised to obtain whatever is possible from areas that run up to seed head.

COUNTY PLANS

It is. suggested that, in every way possible, committees set up in counties or even smaller areas, be as authoritative, as self-reliant and as independent as possible. This is not a job that can be successfully organised from one centre. On the contrary our success depends on the ability, initiative and energy of the local committees composed of expert farmers with an intimate knowledge of their own localities and of high standing among their neighbours. Out first step is, however, to split up our district programme into the reasonable requirements from each of the six counties in the area. The details of this splitting up will have to be finalised at Monday’s meeting and the table given is intended to provide a basis for discussion.

on no other security than the increased production that can result. Local committees may, therefore, be called upon to satisfy themselves that individuals are credit worthy and that a scheme oi development extending over two or three years is approved before financial assistance is recommended. (e) Information and Progressive Reports. Each committee will find it necessary to appoint a secretary, one of whose most important duties will be to keep the Council advised from time to time of the progress being made in the area. Members of the committee should be able to advise their secretary of the actual areas of various crops—particularly barley and wheat this year—that farmers in their locality have promised to grow. Not only will this put the Council in a position to keep in touch with progress throughout the district but also will be of the utmost importance in enabling the Council to ensure that sufficient seed and other requisites are available in the district. (f) General. Many other items appropriate to their areas will suggest themselves to committees and other duties, such as the management of areas of land placed at their disposal by individuals, may arise. It has been the principal object of this report to provide a basis for discussion at next Monday's meeting. Many important points and considerations may have been overlooked but it. at least, is an attempt to outline what our aims and objects are and what kind of organisation is necessary to administer them. I know other questions will arise—for instance, the very burning one of the price to the grower of barley—but. without wishing to direct tile course of Mr Morrison's meeting. I would suggest that the first decision that must be reached on Monday is what is required of us. When we have a production plan for the Wairararapa clear cut and thoroughly understood then it will be time enough to discuss the practical and economic difficulties.

PRIMA RY PRODUCTION—PLAN FOR INCREASE BY COUNTIES. Item: Castlepoint. Eketahuna: Mauriceville: Masterton: S. Wairarapa. Featherston. Wairarapa Totals. Usual Now Usual Now Usual Now Usual Now Usual Now Usual Now Usual Now Area. Req'd. Area. Req’d. Area. Req’d. Area. Req’d. Area. Req’d. Area. Req’d. Area. Req’d. Wheat — — — — —- — 880 1100 60 100 160 300 1100 1500 Oats for Threshing — — ,— — — — 350 400 250 350 200 250 800 1000 Barley — — — — — — 10 2000 50 1500 100 1500 160 5000 Total Threshed Area — — — — — — 1240 3500 360 1950 460 2050 2060 7500 Rape 100 200 27 50 75 150 1600 2000 1400 2000 1800 2500 5000 7000 Turnips 50 100 150 450 100 250 2000 2500 2000 3000 2700 4000 7000 10000 Total Green and Root Crops 150 300 250 650 200 550 4000 6000 3400 6000 5000 7000 13000 20000 Hay and Silage, inch Lucerne Hay 100 150 1300 1500 200 350 1500 2000 2400 2800 2500 3000 8000 10000 Cut for Seed — — — — — — 200 300 200 300 100 400 500 1000 Total Hay, Silage and Seed 100 150 1300 1500 200 350 1700 2300 2500 3100 2600 3400 8500 11000 No. Cows in Milk 633 650 10226 10700 1756 1850 5828 6000 12246 12800 16604 17500 47000 50000 No. of Pigs 165 200 3543 7000 1089 1500 2574 4000 5932 10000 6733 12000 20000 35000 No. of Tractors 8 — 16 — 4 — 118 — 71 — 106 323 ? ’ No. of Holdings 80 — 363 — 122 — 522 — 456 — 564 2107 —