Labour’s irrigation plan

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33063, 2 November 1972, Page 14

Labour’s irrigation plan

Sir, —Yesterday morning’s issue of “The Press” reported the above plan, as expounded by Mr Moyle. It has aroused much interest in our district, which is given over largely to arable crops. Hence the prevalence of the sprinkler system. Quite recently a number of these irrigation systems, fully approved by the Department of Agriculture, have been installed at considerable cost by enterprising farmers, who have not called on the Government for drought relief at any time. Some of these men now have substantial commitments to the State Advances Corporation. The question now being asked is, will these benefits be made retrospective, so that the existing plants would enjoy the same concessions as those still to be installed? A clear answer to this question is most important. Indeed a statement from a Government spokesman would be equally welcome. — Yours, etc.,

OBSERVER. October 20, 1972. [Mr C. J. Moyle, M.P., replies: “Labour’s policy statement as far as spray irrigation plant is concerned is for 100 per cent loans with repayment delayed until increased productivity is achieved. The intention is to encourage the full utilisation of water as rapidly as possible; thus additional equipment would automatically qualify under the new policy. If it can be shown that the new policy unfairly discriminates against existing instal-

lation, that situation would be reviewed and a decision made on the merits of the case; but it would not be possible to make retrospective adjustment automatially.”]