“VITAL AS ARMS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1940, Page 3

“VITAL AS ARMS”

EXPANSION OF FARM PRODUCTION ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. — APPEAL FOR MAXIMUM EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. ‘■production on farms is as vital as arms.” This slogan, which has been adopted by the British Government for the farmers of Great Britain, was mentioned by the Minister of Agriculture Mr Lee Martin, when referring in an address last night to the programme for increasing New Zealand's output of primary produce during the coming season. He said that nothing less than a maximum effort was good enough. The Government was assisting farmers in every way possible. The products of the soil were today sinews of war. Mr Lee Martin said every.effort was being made to maintain farm supplies. Of course, many materials were no longer available, but likely substitutes were being investigated or tested. The raw materials used in fertiliser makes had risen in price, but the Government had been able by subsidies to keep the price of superphosphate at pre-war level, and if the farmer' took advantage of the rebate on used sacks ho would obtain this fertiliser at below pre-war level. Steps were also being taken to maintain the supply of seeds. They grew in New Zealand seeds equal to the best in the world. Arrangements had been made for seeds to be grown in the Dominion under certification for such crops as rape, turnips and swedes. The Government had also arranged for the importation of substantial supplies of cheap barley for pig and poultry-keep-ers. This action had already helped the production of pig-meals and eggs. PROGRAMME FOR SEASON. Discussing the programme of Increased production for the coming season, the Minister said this could be outlined briefly and simply as follows:—Produce an additional 15,000 tons of cheese; keep butter production at last year’s level; increase output of pig meats by 10,000 tons; produce eggs for export to the greatest possible extent; prevent waste in all commodities required overseas, and in all commodities which have to bo'imported from overseas. Suppliers of cream to butter factories should, where requested, make their milk supply available to cheese factories. If this were done, particularly in the early and late portions of the season, the extra 15,000 tons of cheese would be in sight. To maintain production of butter while cheese was increased in output meant that the dairy herds of the Dominion must bo fed as they had never been fed before. Therefore, on every farm, reserve supplies of fodder of all types and kinds must be provided. This meant work and co-operation, and he knew both would bo forthcoming. MORE PIG PRODUCTS. The production of 10,000 tons of additional pig meats again revolved round the feed supply. He appealed to pig raisers to do their utmost to produce the requisite feed supplies on their own farms as far as was possible. Other farmers who were in a position to grow supplementary crops such as barley and maize could help in the vital supplies of grain. The same position applied to the poultry producers. Thej' relied on grain as a feed for their flocks, and this had to be produced on those farms in the North and South Islands which were suitable for grain production. “As a long term policy the breeding stock of the Dominion must be increased, and this applies particularly to dairy herds and sows,” said Mr Lee Martin. “The organisation for the saving of additional female calves is already under way. and I again appeal to farmers to take full advantage of the splendid provision which is being made through bobby calf pools and other sources for supply of suitable young stock. Similarly, wherever possible, producers should build up their herd of breeding sows so that in the 1941-42 season increased supplies of pig meat will be available.” Referring to the question of waste, the Minister urged that commodities of all descriptions required in New Zealand or in Great Britain be saved. Every farmer could help in this. Even dead wool should be collected in every instance. There was one important avenue of saving open to all farmers, and that was the saving of bags. Millions and millions of bags were used in this country every year in the lime and produce industries. As one indication. he need only, mention that the lime and fertiliser industries alone required about 12.000,000 bags a year. DRAIN ON STERLING. All these bags had at some time or other to be shipped to the Dominion, and as well represented a big drain on sterling funds. Too often they were allowed to go to waste on farms and in factories. They were all capable of being used more than once for one purpose or another, and it was the duty of all to see that they were preserved and made available for such use. Any programme of increased production involved a financial outlay. The Government had decided to lend money where it was required either for tiie switch-over from butter to cheese in dairy factories or for individual farmers who were increasing their production. The machinery for operating the scheme had been devised so as to make the loans available as quickly as possible. It was fully recognised that the money to be effective must be available when it was needed. "The whole of New Zealand owes a debt of gratitude to the farming community for its splendid co-operation in our united war efi'ort." concluded the Minister.