FARMERS' LIME

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 16

FARMERS' LIME

INQUIRY OPENED

COMMITTEE AT WORK

A thorough investigation into the production and distribution- of lime in New Zealand is being made by a committee which commenced its deliberations yesterday, and which will travel through New Zealand to get first-hand information regarding the supply of lime for land improvement. For many years farmers have been assisted to lime their land by free -artage over a limited distance and the committee is to investigate the efficiency of the system and report on its possible improvement. The Minister of Agriculture . (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) announced the personnel of the committee as follows:— Chairman.—Mr. G. A. Holmes, Fields Division, Department of Agriculture. Members. —Mr. N. E. Dalmer, investigating officer, Department of Industries and Commerce; Mr. John Barron, j Invercargill, and Mr. F. Milne, Auckland, representing the lime companies; and Mr. W. Horrobin, Waikanae, repre- ! senting the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The committee's order of reference is as.,.follows: — 1. To investigate the more efficient production of lime and the oi'ganisation of the lime industry generally. i 2. To recommend more efficient methods of distribution and marketing of lime. 3. To investigate and report on the most efficient and equitable manner in

which Government assistance snould be directed so that bona fide farmers may receive the maximum benefit therefrom, and to indicate the total j estimated liability under any system J alternative to that operating at present. 4. To investigate the prices and quality of agricultural lime from different works. The Minister said the subject was one of national importance, and that it would greatly assist the committee i and the Government if all interested parties were to co-operate in supplying the fullest possible information. The committee would undertake a comprehensive tour of both islands at an early date with the object of taking evidence and inspecting at first hand the Various components of the industry.