OMAPERE BLOCK

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 6

OMAPERE BLOCK

Minister Deplores “Uncalled

For” Statements

Dominion Special Service.

WAIPUKURAU, September 24. Strong exception to the mauner in which Press criticism had been directed concerning the Omapere 'soldier settlement block was expressed by Mr. Skinner at a meeting convened by the R.S.A. at Waipukurau. Mr. Skinner had before him a report of the special committee appointed to investigate conditions at Omapere. “From the report I would say certain mistakes have been made,” he said, adding that almost every season the farmer took a gamble and was reluctant to reduce stock unless it became evident it was necessary to do so. “At Omapere more supplementary feed should have been obtained sooner and a good deal of the losses could have been avoided. harming on the block was not well handled, but I knew nothing of it all till I was shown a newspaper clipping. Action was taken when the position became known, but even then that action was not sufficient. “However, extravagant statements about Belscn were uncalled for and unnecessary and will have a lasting effect. Those who used the term did so with little thought. Belsen block will live for a long time. I wish to make it clear that any of the six ballottees who want to leave can do so without prejudice of any kind to their chances in future ballots.

“The attitude of some of the local people writing as they did was uncalled for, to say the least. I ask those of you who are farmers what you would think if somebody tore through your farm and then wrote long screeds in a paper about how the place was being run.

“Showing the place to a visitor from overseas was hitting below the belt. There was nothing in the paper about district stock losses, yet there were other losses comparable with those at Omapere, according to the report and the witnesses. People should have made inquiries and chosen their words. An odium will now be attached to Omapere for many years.” Mr. Skinner said that the report whitewashed nobody’s actions, as there was nothing to hide in any part of rehabilitation. He appealed for criticism that was constructive and considered, saying that all over New Zealand people were rushing into print with extravagant statements.

He regretted, in connexion with Oinapere, ‘hat local farmers had not got in to.nch with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the manager of the block, or the officer in charge of land development. Later in the meeting Mr, R. E. Talbot, Hastings, referring to “the unfortunate Qmapere affair," said he wished to make it clear he personally had asked the Commissioner of Crown Lands to accompany him and meet neighbouring settlers. These settlers had requested Mr. Talbot to do this, but the commissioner could see no useful purpose in going. The Minister gave an assurance that the percentage of lambs taken off the block would be made known.