Report To Be Made On Works Proposal

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30575, 19 October 1964, Page 3

Report To Be Made On Works Proposal

(From Our Own . Reporter)

TIMARU, Oct. 18. A letter seeking support for the establishment of a farmers’ co-operative fertiliser works in South Canterbury was referred to its fertiliser committee for a report by a meeting of the South Canterbury provincial executive of Federated Farmers. The letter was from Mr F. W. Newton, of Ashburton Forks, who is chairman of an investigating ‘committee for the establishment of a farmers' cooperative fertiliser company. The president of the executive (Mr E. C. Wright) said it was not the time for a “snap” decision. “It is a pretty big question which the fertiliser committee should examine thoroughly,” he added. He said it would be unfair to ask members to vote on the matter until full details were

known. It was vital that such information should be obtained before a decision was made. Mr A. G. O. Johnson said that some years ago the matter was discussed fairly thoroughly with the Department of Agriculture. Mr S. J. Lister asked whether Mr Newton had disclosed the composition of the advisory committee. The provincial secretary (Mr D. R. Rowe) told the meeting that the executive had recently requested that the constitution and names of the committee members be given, as well as the headquarters of the committee. He reminded the executive that a letter making this request had been sent on August 31, 1962. The subsequent letter asked that the information be provided in case it was wanted by the executive.

In a letter dated October 8, Mr Newton said his organisation had the names and addresses of more than 350 farmers who replied to a circular of August, 1962, in support of a co-operative farmers’ fertiliser works for South Canterbury. “We repeat our offer

... to make available all vital information so far obtained should you, in turn, be prepared to actively sponsor the establishing of a farmers’ cooperative fertiliser works,” the letter continued. “. . . In the meantime we do not propose to disclose the names of any persons interested in our organisation until we are assured of support and active co-operation.” Mr N. S. Brown said it was a fairly risky gamble to assume that these people had no concrete plans. He suggested that an interim report should be prepared. The fertiliser committee was appointed as follows: Messrs E. C. Wright (convener). W. L. Leslie, A. C. Shaw, F. J. Henshaw, A. G. O. Johnson, W. J. Penno, R. M. Ford, R. R. Thomson and S. J. Lister. Mr Wright told the meeting that the committee also would need to consider reports that there was a big build-up of blood and bone manure in the works and that people were unable to get it