Farmers Concerned At Lime Subsidy Report

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 10

Farmers Concerned At Lime Subsidy Report

“The report in the paper yesterday came as ,a shock to me.” said Mr J. F. G. Blakely, president of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, when the provincial executive yesterday discussed a report that the present scheme for subsidising the transport of lime would cease at the end of November. Mr Blakely moved the following motion: “This executive is disturbed at the announcement that the lime transport subsidy is I going to cease, and although we are of the opinion some savingl could be made through the checking of overlapping of road and rail transport we feel there should not be anything done which would adversely affect the use of lime at this stage of the country’s economy.” Mr Blakely said it was essential in the interests of production that the subsidy should continue. Mr A. C. Wright, seconded the motion which was carried and which will be sent to Dominion headquarters of Federated Farmers. Before the subject was discussed. Sir Walter Mulholland, a member of the Meat Board, who had been invited to attend the meeting, gave members an outline of what had preceded the announcement on Tuesday. He said that when the Dairy Board ran into difficulties about a year ago and its funds were absorbed it said it could be unreasonable to borrow money to pay for lime transport assistance. The Government and the Meat Board agreed that that was a reasonable attitude and the Government, which had been paying 15 per cent., paid 30 per cent, and the Meat Board 70 per cent, lime transport assistance. About June or July the Dairy Board informed the Government its was not prepared to pay into the lime transport assistance scheme. Sir Walter Mulholland said he thought that was intended to be taken as a definite statement of policy. That put the Government and the Meat Board in a difficult position. The Government informed the Meat Board it was not prepared to continue paying the Dairy Board's 15 per cent, share of the lime subsidy but it would continue paying its original 15 per cent, if the Meat Board paid the rest. The Meat Board informed the Government it was not prepared to do that. Government’s Limit

“We were eventually informed that the Government would not pay more than 15 per cent, but would carry on if we or somebody else paid the rest.” he said. The announcement that the present subsidy scheme would end on November 30. 1959. did not necessarily mean that some other scheme would not be operated. He had been told emphatically that the Government was not prepared to go beyond the 15 per cent, in any new arrangement. He was fairly sure the Meat Board would want a reassessment of the shares of any subsidy to be borne. The question of the Wool Board contributing would also come into it. Mr W. C. Miller asked how much a ton over all the subsidy was.

Sir Walter Mulholland said the over all figure was 7s 4d a ton

ion the whole of the lime subsidised in New Zealand. There was quite a quantity of lime not subsidised. Mr Blakely then moved the motion given above. Mr Wright, seconding it. said farmers were being continually asked to increase production to take care of the third million of population. If another spanner ; was going to be thrown in the : works the farmers were going to i get fed up altogether. Mr M. M. Fleming said it was one sided to expect the farmer to subsidise something which was for the benefit of New Zealand. He thought a national effort should be made. Mr Blakely's motion was car. ried. Mr R. E. Hiatt then moved and Mr J. L. Dillon seconded a motion that “the executive asks Dominion headquarters to request the Meat Board to ask the Wool Board to support it on a 50-50 basis and also ask the Dairy Board to reconsider its decision.” “It is our own money in the pool funds. It is not a subsidy coming from taxation.” said Mr Hiatt. Mr D. G. McGrath moved an amendment that the matter of lime transport subsidy be taken up by Dominion headquarters of Federated Farmers with the Meat Board. Wool Board and Dairy Board.” Mr G. E. Rennie seconded the amendment which was carried. Koads Bill The executive decided to send a telegram to the Minister of Works (Mr Watt) and one to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) asking that the National Roads Amendment Bill be deferred until local bodies can consider it. “A committee was appointed with power to act and I will only 1 add that it will be its endeavour ‘ to get a diagnostic station at Lincoln as soon as possible,” said Mr Blakely, briefly reporting on a recent meeting of representatives of Federated Farmers and other organisations. Mr Blakely referred to the death ; of Mr W. L. Stott, a member of ' the executive for many years, . and paid a tribute to his work for Federated Farmers. Members stood in silence as a mark 1 of respect to his memory. [ A motion of sympathy with Mr : D. P. Graham, a member of the executive, on the death of his father, Mr J. W. Graham, was carried.