Remit On Catchment Boards Lost At Farmers' Meeting

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15135, 18 November 1949, Page 2

Remit On Catchment Boards Lost At Farmers' Meeting

Federation* Executive A 1

Whakatane

(Times Special Reporter) A remit calling for unanimous support for the finding of the Commission on (he Sheep Industry that catchment boards are not necessary in ihe Bay of Plenty was lost after a discussion at a meeting in Whakatane of (lie executive of the Bay of Plenty Province of the federation. Mr A. C. Youngman (Oropi), speaking to the remit, said it was considered that catchment boards were an unnecessary expense to the country and the ratepayers. "We've already fought the matter in this room," observed Mr N. H. Morris (Tauranga). "We are fighting against something we know nothing about." declared Mr F. G. Maloney (Te Puna). The problem was a big one and had caused a wide divergence of opinion. He doubted whether the province would be wise in carrying the remit. He had heard sound contradictions of the commission's report from qualified men. He did not know if he was in a position to vote for the remit. "We can enly vote on it as it concerns our own district the Western Bay of Plenty," said Mr Morris.

The Tauranga County Council supported catchment boards and the Whakatane and Opotiki councils were against them, said the president (Mr S. A. Wells). The system of farming that was being employed in the district, he said, was contrary to the conditions that built up the dust bowls of Australia and the United States. The commission had treated the question of the needs for catchment boards, on a nation-wide basis said Mr Moloney.

Mr Morris remarked that he did not think passing the remit would get the federation anywhere.

In view of the wide difference of opinion, the remit should be held ever, suggested Mr Moloney,, and when put to the meeting, it was lost.