SOIL EROSION IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25364, 11 December 1947, Page 8

SOIL EROSION IN N.Z.

CONSERVATION IN HILL COUNTRY FINANCIAL HELP NEEDED FOR FARMERS From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, December 10. “The council feels that the solution of many of the problems of soil erosion is tied up with the economic position of the farmer, particularly the sheepfarmer,’* said the chairman of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council (Mr W. L. Newnham) in a statement on behalf of the council to the Royal Commission on the Sheep Industry to-day. “It is realised that many of the problems are of a national character, and that substantial financial assistance is necessary to enable the farmer to carry out many of the required soil conservation measures,” Mr Newnham said. “While it is that the person who receives some direct and immediate benefit -should pay at least a share of the cost, varying m accordance with the amount of benefit, it must be conceded that much necessary work is not of direct benefit. A great deal of it will benefit future generations only, and seems logically a national responsibility.” The council felt that the problems of soil erosion could not be solved completely and satisfactorily until the high-country farmer was placed in a satisfactory financial position and enabled to play his part in the work of soil conservation, Mr Newnham continued.

The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act would undoubtedly help the high-country farmer, and he had nothing to fear from its operation as administered in accordance with the policy of the Government and the council. The primary object of this policy was the conservation of the soil, and the retention of its fertility. These must retain and increase the productive capacity of the country. Estimated 10.000.000 Acres In a long statement to the commission. Mr Newnham discussed the effect on the sheep industry of soil erosion, and the necessary conservation measures. Referring to wind and sheep-eroded native grasslands, he said that as four-fifths of the . 8,000.000 acres surveyed by the Soil Bureau was significantly eroded it could be, assumed that about 10.000.000 of the total of 14.000.000 acres required definite soil conservation treatment. “The first step in most cases is a reduction in grazing by probably 30 per cent.,” he added. “This reduction can be achieved in part by the destruction of rabbits. A reduction in sheep numbers will be offset largely by increased wool yields, higher lambing percentages, and lower deathrates. A further reduction in sheep numbers and replacement by cattle will be necessary where it is possible to carry cattle. The problems of fencing, surface-sowing, spelling, treeplanting, gully control, and the provision of reserves of stock r eed have to be faced by the industry.” A recent survey showed that 6,000.000 acres of the North Island hill country was liable to slip erosion, Mr Newnham said. Three million acres of this land was regarded as good hill country on which slipping led to slow deterioration. Conservation measures involved denser and stronger pastures spaced planting of the steeper hillsides, close planting of very steep slopes, gully control structures, and the planting and sowing of grass, or the planting of slips. “The 3.000.000 acres of poor hill land liable to slipping and rapid deterioration is a much more difficult farming problem,” he said.

Use of Fertiliser “Conservation work based on improving the pastures that can be farmed, and retiring to trees areas too steep and eroded to be farmed is necessary. Where fertiliser can be applied sufficiently protective measures can be developed under good cattle and sheep management. A reduction of sheep numbers to bring the cattle-sheep ratio to one to three would, on the average, appear to meet the situation, and would reduce the sheep populations considerably on this land.”

On the South Island downlands and easy ploughable lands conservation measures would result in increases in sheep numbers when the necessary fertility building and pasture improvements were carried out. The drainage of low-lying land and flood control work would also result in increasing sheep numbers, and outweigh the losses caused by reductions on the hill lands.

“ . interest to the industry is the rural labour problem, which can only be solved by providing amenities and assured work in rural areas. It would be a sound investment for the State to build modern homes to attract specially selected labour to community settlements. Given such amenities and award rates of pay, there would be little difficulty in inducing desirable types of men to rural areas. “It is the intention of the council to push ahead with all possible measures to combat erosion, and to apply the results of research and practical experience.”