FALLING OFF

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1943, Page 2

FALLING OFF

PRODUCTION OF FOOD IN DOMINION SERIOUS VIEW TAKEN BY FARMERS’ UNION EXECUTIVE. MANPOWER & OTHER FACTORS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “We consider it our duty to state publicly that the production of foodstuffs in New Zealand is on the down grade,” says the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, directing attention to the recent statement by Lord Woolton, Food Controller in Great Britain, that the indications clearly pointed to a general world shortage of foodstuffs within a measureablc distance of time. “The reasons for the decline in New Zealand food production are partly climatic, partly material, and partly psychological,” the union continue!}. “Nothing can be done on the .point,' which is the smallest factor in.,the case. The second point covers shortage of fertiliser, shortage of other farm requirements, shortage of adequate, efficient and permanent labour, having the consequential effect of shortage of fodder crops and supplementary stock foods. The lack of shortage of these things has intensified the effects of the unfavourable climatic conditions of the past 12 or 16 months—conditions which can be met, and are usually, in normal times, by the practice of providing reserve supplies. “The third point is the psychological factor. The farming community appears to be suffering from a feeling of frustration. For too long they have been answering and straining every nerve to meet the call of patriotism. The farmers and their womenfolk have put their maximum into their contribution to the war effort. But these efforts are being nullified by inefficient administration, by vacillation, and by inability to appreciate the essential requirements for food production. “As regards dairy farming, the call for manpower for the fighting services has resulted in women being largely responsible for carrying on the industry. In many cases these women are subjected to the double strain of maintaining their .homes and carrying on the farm work, and some are breaking down.”