FOODSTUFF PRODUCTION IN WAR-TIME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 20, 10 November 1939, Page 38

FOODSTUFF PRODUCTION IN WAR-TIME

(By Major Sir

Reginald

Dorman-Smith

British Minister of Agriculture)

New Zealand farmers will be interested to know what the Government said to farmers in Britain two days after war was declared. UR main job is, in an orderly fashion, to increase our home production of essential foodstuffs. In many cases we shall have to alter our usual farming practice -perhaps in a manner which we, as individuals, may not like. We shall be called upon to suffer a degree of control which, in ordinary times, would not suit our particular ideas.

Sut we understand ail that, and yield to ho one in our willingness-our desire-to place ourselves and our farms unreservedly at the service of the country. Carry On, and Use Your Judgment How, then, can farmers best help at this juncture? The first thing is to be prepared to co-operate to the fullest possible degree with your County War Agricultural Executive Committee, and with their sub-committees when you hear from them. They are at work now, and will soon be in touch with you. And remember, the Country Agricultural Committees are composed of reasonable people who understand agricultural problems. They won't attempt to give to an individual farmer an impossible task. Trust those Committees, therefore, and treat them as friends, and as men who know their job.

And then, have patience and understanding. In the initial stages the fog of war will probably descend. There are bound to be uncertainties, delays, inconveniences. But don’t worry too much about that. Just carry on; use your own judgment, and if you can’t get all you want, improvise and still carry on. If things are a bit difficult at first don’t accuse somebody else of bungling, but just get on with your job as well as you can. Think in Terms of the Plough As far as the immediate after-harvest plans are concerned, the majority of farmers must think in terms. of ploughing up more land, both for the supply of human food and for the supply of animal feeding stuff. The immediate task will be to plough up as much land as possible for next year’s harvest. Your County Committees will be responsible for

seeing that these plans are carried out in each county. But, in the very nature of things, it will take some little time for them to give you precise directions. And in the meantime, I ask you to get on with the good work by ploughing up at least 10 per cent. of your present grassland. You should also do what you can to help any of your neighbours who may not at this stage have the horses or the tractors to do the necessary ploughing. With a little organisation a very great deal can be done by mutual help. Marketing With one exception, farmers are advised to market their produce in the usual way and in the usual quantity for the present. When changes are required,

you will be notified. The one exception is that it is desirable that this year’s wheat harvest should be kept in stack on the farm as far as possible. At present there is no shortage of feeding stuffs for livestock, and farmers, of course, should not take any hasty steps such as reducing their flocks or their herds. The country must have sufficient supplies of livestock products, especially fresh milk, and the Government will control supplies and distribution of feeding stuffs, so that the necessary stock can be maintained. At the same time, I would strongly urge farmers with livestock to make every effort to grow on their own farms as much as possible of the peste: feeding stuffs that they will require. Farm Workers And now, a word to farm workers, Our plans cannot be carried out without your full. co-operation, and I would ask every worker at present on the land to continue to carry on with his job, which is national service of the highest importance. If home food production is to be extended, the efforts of you skilled workers-and we have none too many of you-will

have to be supplemented. I feel sure that we can rely on any additional workers, be they men or women, receiving that help and encouragement which they will need from you who are already on the land. To the members of the Women’s Land Army who have volunteered to undertake farm work in a National emergency, I say "Thank you," and ask you to hold yourselves in readiness for the instructions which will be given to you as regards training or employment, as soon as the arrangements that have been made can be carried out. " Back Yarders " Now, just one word to small holders, to allotment holders and those who have a reasonable-sized gar-

den; to those also who may be termed " backyarders"; and to my friends the beekeepers: You can help-help perhaps more than you realise-to feed yourselves and others. Some straight away can prepare the ground now for vegetables in the spring. Others can keep a few poultry. Poultry kept in small numbers in city and suburban gardens or on allotments can be fed almost entirely on all forms of household waste. The hen is, in fact, amongst the most economical converters of waste food. Now, the small food producers played a very important part in the last war, and we realise to the full your value in the present struggle. _ Country People in General To country people in general I just say this: most of you will be very, very busy, performing duties for which you have already trained yourselves. But some of you may still find an occasional free hour or so when you can be of assistance to farmers who may to-day be shorthanded. If you can do so, particularly at this moment when it is so important to complete our harvesting operations, do get into touch with

farmers and see whether you can help; secondly, I know that no words of mine are needed to encourage you to give a real country welcome to those who have had to evacuate their own homes in the towns and the cities. That welcome you have already given in full measure, and I know that you will do all that you can to go on to help our guests.