IRRIGATION WORKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 37, 23 November 1940, Page 2

IRRIGATION WORKS

PROPOSAL FOR QUICKER USE.

CONSIDERED BY FARMERS’ ' UNION, Many farmers at Winchmore are anxious to prepare a part of their farms for irrigation, stated a proposal from a farmer which was considered at the meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon. They are deterred, however by the uncertainty when water will be available from the Rangitata River owing to the time of completion of Surrey Hills pipe line. It is understood that if water was taken from Lake Heron, and it is believed that it could be done at- a low cost it could be. made available for irrigation in the Winchmore area in not more than six months, and this would be of considerable value when the main scheme is completed. The scheme woidd also give a return for the work already completed. Mr C. C. Winn said that there would probably be a considerable delay before the main irrigation scheme came into operation. If this scheme could he got going it would bring irrigation more strongly into the public eye. The pipeline at Surrey Hills might not be completed for a long time, he said. It was desired that the proposal be put before the Minister of Public Works.

In seconding that the proposal be sent forward, Mr Dunldey said it seemed that the farmers were shunting. A little time ago everything possible was being 'done to stop the irrigation work. The proposal is to be sent forward to the Minister.

The Canterbury Agricultural College wrote assuring that any definite information gained from research into blue lupins would he made public. Regarding importation of oats the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) wrote that oats had been imported last June when there was a shortage. Millers who were short had pressed for importation and small quantities had been obtained. The Government had not imported any more, and ftiat policy was being justified as a surplus of oats now evident. It was decided that a deputation approach the Minister of Transport on the question of farmers’ heavy traffic licences. Messrs J. Fleming, C. C. Winn, 11. C. B. Withell and C. Ward were appointed to form the deputation

The Hinds branch forwarded a resolution opposing the amendment to the Small Farms Bill with regard to the confiscation of land, considering that every effort bo made to stop this becoming law. It was decided to telegraph to the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Frasey), Messrs S. G. Holland, M.P., and T. D.- Burnett M.P., and Mrs A. N. Grigg drawing attention to the proposed legislation and expressing strong opposition to it.