Schemes show farm potential

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 8

Schemes show farm potential

(From Our Own Reporter) DUNEDIN. The Government had to make a sincere effort to restore confidence in farming to give incentive to bring vast areas of the South Island into farm production, Mr S. J. Cowens, Eyre County, told the South Island Local Bodies Association conference. He was reporting on the association’s Lands Committee inspection of Canterbury, West Coast and Otago land development and forestry schemes.

The land development schemes in Buller and Inangahua counties showed the potential of the West Coast for farming, said Mr Cowens.

The committee saw pakihi land conversion near Westport, the 12,500-acre Cape Foulwind farm settlement, the 2000-acre Kongahu swamp drainage scheme near Karamea and the 6500-acre Mawheraiti farm settlement.

“The pakihi lands alone are capable of supplying large quantities of meat and produce,” said Mr .Cowens.

“The drawback is the high present low prices for stock. The time will come when this produce will be needed and the boost to the economy essential to development will take place. Industries such as a freezing works and dairy factory will be essential to process the increased production.”

Speaking of Forest Sendee policy for using land at Okuku Pass as part of the Ashley state forest, Mr Cowens said that the committee was concerned that good grazing land was to be

sparsely planted in trees for a joint grazing-timber production project. There was plenty of scope for forestry without using land of such quality. Mr V. J. Corbett, Kaikoura. said the Government was making land development blocks so expensive that young farmers could not afford to take them up.