IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21744, 28 March 1936, Page 11

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR

FARMING AND LABOUR DISCUSSED . d. INTERVIEW AT. WAIMATE “Land in New Zealand must be offered at a reasonable price before settlers can consider ccming here,” according to Mr C. W. Albrecht, South African winepresser, now touring New Zealand with the British National Union, when interviewed at Waimate to-day. “I have heard everywhere that this country can accommodate millions of people, but it is ridiculous to try to make a living at the present price of land. I believe that ir places £IOO and £2OO an acre is being asked, where in South Africa quite good land can be bought for £6 ap(J £7. Labourers’ wages also seem unusually high, and you need more workers on the land.

“There are too many one-man farms in the Dominion," said Mr Albrecht. “Conditions are different in South Africa, where coloured labour costs 3s a day, with dwelling only provided. The Cape coloured worker was the finest in the world.”

Mr Albrecht thought an eight-hour day would make farming conditions in New Zealand even more trying. “I might go so far as to ,s,ay that many farmers would go out of business altogether,he said. Although Mr Albrecht found the country good for fruit-growing, he thought the orchards of the Dominion were not as clean as they might be, Orchardists did not seem to take enough trouble with them. Oysters in New Zealand were equal to the best in the world. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY HIGH COSTS OF POWER OPINION OF SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR Wonder at the lack of electric power facilities for farmers in the Waimate district was expressed by Mr C. W. Albrecht in an interview yesterday, Albrecht, who with his wife has been the guest of Mr and Mrs J. C. Hurst, Waihaorunga, is in the wine and fruit-growing industry in South Africa, and has almost completed a tour of New Zealand as a member of the British National Union. “The price of the. power here is amazing," went on Mr Albrecht. 'ln South Africa I am 11 miles away from the source I use, and I am charged 3d a unit. Here, I believe, it is at lea t 4d or sd. In South Africa we have to burn coal in our power-houses, but here you have free natural water power.” RURAL MAIL SERVICE AT WAIMATE SETTLERS IN URETANE DISTRICT It is hoped that the first extensions to the Waikakahi rural mail delivery will be in operation by April 1. according to the postmaster, Mr C. Ward. Extensions under consideration are a detour of approximately two miles from Park road to serve settlers in the Uretane district. The other detour is from Park road along Riverlands road; and at Tawai, from Pikes Point along Flemings and Middle roads to Mount Harris road, and along Mount Harris road to Cooney’s corner, joining up again with the present route. ST. ANDREW’S BASKETBALL CLUB ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR * YEAR The annual meeting of the St Andrew's Basketball Club was held on Thursday evening, the president (Mrs R. S. Watson) presiding over a good attendance. . _ _ , „ The annual report said that with a membership of 21, the club had increased its credit balance considerably during the season. Besides entering a senior team and a junior team in the Ashburton Basketball Association s competitions, a fl-iendly match was played against the Winchmore team at Winchmore. , , , The following officers were elected: President, Mrs R. S. Watson; vice-pre-sidents, Misses E. Cameron and L. Tucker, Messrs W. R. Lane, E. Buchanan. D. F. Macdonald, and G. D. H Hefford; secretary. Miss E. Thomson; treasurer, Miss M. Vincent; club captain. Miss H. McCrea; delegate to Ashburton Basketball Association, Miss M. McCrea: coach. Miss N. Buchanan. Personal Mr S. Alexander, who has been accountant of the Ashburton branch of the National Bank of New Zealand for 12 years, and who has been transferred to Christchurch, was presented with a wristlet watch yesterday by the manager (Mr R. B. Lambert) from the staff. ■■ TIMARU CRICKET The following teams will play today on the grounds stated:— Fairview v. Railway, at Caledonian Ground —McNamara (2), Rogers, Pol* vin Fawcett, Hawke, McCrone, Gillett Carr, Duff, Jones, Thurlow, Vivian, Parker, Garven. Old Boys Thirds v. Rest, at School Park—A. Cameron, N. Campbell, J. Hattie, J. Hawke, B. jack, W. Jack, C. Langrish. J. McMahon, C. Reid, P. Riley, J. Thompson. Celtic Juniors v. Star, at Anzac Reserve—Kent, Stevens, Roper, Fountaine (2), Harding, O’Brien, Ray, Cox, Cosgrove and Henry. Star Juniors v. Celtic, at Anzac Re-serve-Grant, McLean, Lillico, Tutty (2) Bradley, Jefferson, Loach, Boys, Styles. Edo. Dickel. Fitzgerald.