COUNCIL MEETS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 2

COUNCIL MEETS

PRIMARY PRODUCTION MEETING NEEDB OF WAR THREE MAIN LINES OF ACTION (Bj Teiegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The first meeting of the Council of Primary Production which has been formed to organise the production of agricultural and pastoral commodities to meet the exigencies of war conditions. was held in Parliament Buildings today. The Minister of Agriculture. the Hon. W. Lee Martin, presided over a full attendance, including members of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee. Mr Lee Martin said the function of the council was to advise the Government on the specific direction of farm production in order to maintain, to increase or to modify primary production. As Minister in charge of primary production it was necessary for him to maintain effective co-operation with the .Ministers of Supply and Marketing to fulfil requirements for Do-

minion consumption and export. It would also be necessary to maintain the closest touch with primary producers’ organisations to ensure that emergencies would be met with the least disruption of the normal course of farming and business. Three Main Avenues “There are three main avenues along which organisation must proceed," said the Minister. “1 feel that urgent action should be taken before ground is lost and before we arc faced with declining production. The first of those is the organisation and direction of labour for normal and special seasonal requirements. The second is the maintenance of farm production of both crops and livestock, and the third is the organisation of the supply of farm materials so that prices may be reasonably controlled and that, in the event of a shortage of some essential commodity, a system of rationing maybe operated. ”1 propose to appoint executive officers in charge of these three lines of action, and it will be necessary to consider fully the detailed organisation which should he set up so that a Dominion-wide coverage of local advisory committees may function at the earliest possible date and give the necessary elasticity to the whole scheme. “The Employment Division of the Labour Department, working in conjunction with local advisory committees, who will include representatives of the Farmers’ Union and the New Zealand Workers’ Union, should be able to provide adequate and suitable farm labour for any emergency. After the policy of crop production lias been decided, capable direction by the organiser, working through district officers of the Department of Agriculture and in close co-operation with the local advisory committees, should ensure success in this direction. Use of Machinery *T hope that by the fullest use of tractors, whether owned by farmers, contractors or the Government, it will be possible fully to maintain the necessary areas in arable crops. “It will also be necessary to introduce considerable diversification of crops to meet New Zealand's requirements of certain products normally imported and to supply urgent demands which may arise in the United Kingdom,” the Minister continued. “This involves detailed study of the potential demaud for particular commodities and also the investigation of production costs and the establishment of equitable prices. “As a general principle we should aim at the least possible dislocation of normal farming practice. That is to say, that areas carrying first-class pasture and efficiently used for intensive fattening or butterl'at production should not suddenly be diverted, for example, to grain production. “In the control or possible rationing of farm supplies, it is important to prevent a monopoly or local scarcity of any commodity, causing an unduly sharp rise in price, as it now appears probable that for the duration of the war the major farm products will be marketed under Imperial Government commandeer and that prices will be Adjusted Within rigid limits. Stabilisation of Costs “Consideration must be given immediately to the stabilisation of farm costs, and particularly to the prevention of unduly high prices lor essential farm requirements which it is necessary to import. “1 wish finally to emphasise that the all-important consideration is to secure the goodwill and • fullest cooperation of all the farmers of the Dominion in a supreme elTort to increase primary production.'’ the Minister concluded. The council discussed various proposals of policy and organisation, and steps were taken to set up subcommittees to deal with the sheep industry, the dairy industry, the pig industry and farm labour.