LIME FOR FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23094, 9 August 1940, Page 14

LIME FOR FARMERS

TO THE ZDITOE OF THE PEESS. Sir.—Last week there was a public meeting in Christchurch of farmers and farmers' organisations for the object of setting up district committees for the increasing of primary production. I don't think these committees will ever have any power beyond advisory, so, say what you like, but. in my opinion everything done along these lines will be "as v o u were." With this in mind. I put this suggestion through your columns directly to the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. E. Semple. He has the power, the money, and the men. and in my opinion is the only man in the present Government that can walk on to a job. look like and act the part of a real old-time boss (with a capital B). Briefly, my suggestion is this: (1) The Government should immediately put on a 24-hour a day, six days a week working output every lime works in New Zealand. "Lime, and still more lime," should be the slogan. (2) There are portable lime crushers on the market, and several have been sold in Canterbury this last year or so. The Government should get every one of these going to 24 hours a day capacity immediately in the numerous scattered deposits throughout the country (3) The lime produced should be made available to bone-fide farmers free, and delivered to the nearest railway station, the farmers to provide bags with their order. (4) The basis of allocation of this lime for a start to be 10 tons for every 100 acres of his farm. The orders and date for delivery could be arranged-, through the farmer's stock firm, as is frequently done at present. . _■ (5) The various works to be zoned, so as to do away with the present ridiculous situation of, say. Mount Somers lime going to Hawarden. Waikari lime going to Rakaia. and Amberley lime going to' Ashburton. Now, how is. this all going to be done? Managers of existing, lime works could be interviewed through Mr Semple immediately. "How many men do you want to get your works going 24 hours a day and sifc days a week?" Mr Semple might ask. "You want 50 men?" "Right, to-morrow morning I'll sack 50 men off Ihat white elephant of a railway job-filler up Kaikoura way. Let's see— a couple of days to transfer their huts and camp ware. They'll be ready to start on the job with you next Monday morning. Here's a cheque for £IO,OOO to Retail the extra gear i you want, and for working expenses. . ; And .how is this free lime going -to Immediately increase production? One Instance will do: a farmer with 300. acres has to work flat out toJatten his 500-lambs; he suddenly* finds himself the owner of 30 tons of lime at the railway station buckshee! It is paid for! Ye gods! He'll work all night with the horse and dray to # get it home in case there's a catch in it Hell get the top-dresser going on Sunday rf necessary, and, most important he can immediately see his way to'fatten 250 extra lambs this season (not next), in addition, he will have the comforting > knowledge that his land will be permanently improved. I challenge any practical farmer to doubt my estimate of the above immediate increase m this farmer's production. I challenge Mr Semple to doubt the practicability of his getting the men money, and equipment to increase lime production immediately along the lines indicated. - Yours,etc - LIMEGANDO.IT. August 8, 1940.: . .