CENTRAL IRRIGATION

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1630, 11 April 1928, Page 5

CENTRAL IRRIGATION

FARMERS' NEED FOR REDRESS t ■ APPEAL FOR SUBSIDY DUNEDIN, April 3. Following iu the wake of the recent agitation in. Central Otago as regards irrigation troubles, a letter was received at the meeting this morning of the Otago Provincial Executive; of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. It came from Mr L. Ryan, the secretary of the Dunstan branch, who also attended the meeting. The letter, dated February 1, read: "At a largely attended meeting of the Farmers' Union, held last evening at Alexandra, I was instructed to write you soliciting your assistance in making a united effort to adjust matters in connection with the present existing difficulties under the several irrigation schemes in Central Otago. "The schemes generally are not giving satisfaction-—in fact, the position, if allowed to continue for any length of time, will certainly ruin a lot of settlers. " " Some of the water races are not delivering the water required, and for some weeks on end no water at all; consequently the pastures which have beeu laid down at considerable exjjense are being.burnt up, and if something is not done urgently some may have to abandon their holdings. "We have decided to establish a special fund one penny per acre on all land under irrigation, as there is likely to be a good deal of expense attached to this business. Other districts interested are joining us. "I was asked to poiut out that we contribute fairly well towards your funds, last year over £4O in fighting cases that perhaps did not affect us, and thought you might see your way clear to make a donation."

Mr J. Pow, the dominion secretary, in forwarding; the letter to the Otago branch, asked what could be done by the Dominion Executive to help the Dunstan people in their difficulties over the irrigation scheme, and what monetary assistance, if any, should be made tS the fighting fund of the branch. Mr Ryan said that in the first instance, when the letter was written there-was a good deal of distress, but the position had altered materially. As a result of the agitation and the obtaining of the iietition there had beei,i considerable expense, and the matter was not settled yet. By the levy of Id per acre on irrigable land it was hoped that the sum of £IOO would be raised towards the fighting fund to cover expenses. What the branch suggested was that the union might see its way clear to subsidise the amount, £ for £, with a limit of £-30, the Dominion Executive to pay. The Dunstan branch was only a small body, and previously had never asked the. Dominion Executive to spend anything on its behalf. A statement which would meet the case would be presented in due course. In response to a question, Mr Ryan stated they had had a new board set up. After that time there was a god deal about in the papers. So far as the deputation to the Minister at Alexandra was concerned, no fault could be found, and the board was congratulated on the way it had done its work. Also it got a good hearing, and although no direct promises were made it was understood that something would be done lieve the position. v^iAJl,. thjs,_.ftad 'ledj: to a commission, the notice of which, had not been definitely brought to the notice of the union because it' was not official. The expense had been considerable'. One man, a member of the, executive, who had ja car, had travelled extensively and accepted the responsibility. In conclusion, he said that he felt sure the irrigators would be given some redress, either through a reduction in cost or through the securing of more water.

Mr F. Waite, M.P.: " Did the. people who agitated in the first place pay more than anybody else?"

Mr Ryan: "No. We don't recognise the Expansion League. Ninety per cent, of the union "branch are irrigators. None are moneyed men, and many are returned soldiers." Mi- Waite: "You have never received any financial assistance from anybody else."

Mr Ryan: " I may say that the expense lias been all thrown back on .Mr lies and myself, although mine were only out of pocket expanses. We consider we have a right to assistance. If it had not been for the visit of Mr Waite and Mr Cameron the branch would have been defunct long ago." Concerning the Dutistnn lighting 'fund, Mr L. Ryan said that so far Mr lies had not put in any claim for expenses, and the speaker doubted very 'ranch if he would do so, but it was felt that in all fairness he should be entitled lib fair remuneration for his services. With reference to expenses Mr Ryan said lie wished to state that his,branch was not associated" with the Otago Expansion League, and had. not been at any time associated with the league. The petition that was signed got i to the hands of Mr J.les and eventual).') found its way to Mr MaeDouald. The petition was presented in Duiiedin, and no one had any authority to present it at all, because it was intended that it should be returned to-the speaker as secretary of the Duiistan branch of the Farmers' Union and that it should be presented to the. Priiiie Minister by the deputation at Alexandra. At a later stage it was decided to ask the Dominion Executive to make a grant of £25 to the Dunstan branch.