FARMERS AND WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 7

FARMERS AND WAR

INCREASING PRODUCTION DROP IN RECENT YEARS STIMULUS TO BACON TRADE It is said that the farmers of New Zealand can play just as important a part in the present war as soldiers on active service. The assistance expected from primary producers will be increased production, but whether the individual can increase his production will depend on many factors quite outside his control. The fall in production in recent years has given rise to some doubt as to whether Dominion farmers can appreciably raise production levels within a year or two. Dairy production showed a further fall last season and present indications at least are that there will be no improvement this year. It is expected that Britain will be asking for greater bacon exports from New Zealand, but during the last two years pig exports have shown a fall of more than 80,000 carcases, representing a financial loss of £250,000 Bacon For Britain Discussing the position this morning, Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Cooperative Pig Marketing Association, said that Britain had always imported the great bulk of her bacon requirements from foreign sources, and since many of these were now cut off for the duration of the war, she was greatly in need of New Zealand’s assistance to make up the deficiency in her normal imports. Mr Phillips quoted the following figures representing the source and quantities of bacon supplies to the British market for the year 1937. to demonstrate Britain’s cause for anxiety regarding her desire for increased supplies from New Zealand:—English, 1,942,000 cwt.; Eng-lish-cured Empire frozen pigs, 504,000 cwt.; imported Empire (Canada, Ireland), 1,398,000 cwt.; foreign imports, 5,028,000 cwt. It was therefore to be hoped, said Mr Phillips, that all other sections of the community would in the present situation fully recognise the great importance of the farming industry, and thus be prepared to assist the farmer in every way possible to overcome his labour and other difficulties. It was also well to bear in mind that the dislocation of foreign supplies of bacon to the British market could not for a lengthy period after the cessation of hostilities be restored. This, apart from the major considerations, offered New Zealand a unique opportunity to develop profitably its export trade during the war period. Attractive Prices Indicated Pending a definite pronouncement by the Government, it was not possible to say to what extent the Dominion’s porker pigs would be required by the Imperial Government, but present indications pointed strongly to a stable and attractive price for baconer pigs. In view of the fact that in the past the Dominion’s exports of porker pigs had exceeded those of baconer carcases, farmers would be well advised to set about increasing their normal food supplies, for example, by growing suitable root crops or cereals, in order to carry on to bacon weights pigs which they would dispose of usually at porker weights. Mr Phillips said he understood that the Government was exploring ways and means of assisting the producer by the importation of barley from Australia. This, however, would have to be made available to pig producers at a lower price than had previously ruled to ensure its general use as a practical supplementary food.