FLIGHT OF FARMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1939, Page 5

FLIGHT OF FARMERS

HIGH-COUNTRY, SHEEP-RUNS. [PEB PBEBB ASSOCIATION.] TIMARU, April 17. Over 200 high-country sheepmen, from all parts of the South Island, between Marlborough and Southland, assembled at Tekapo. to-day, to meet the acting-Minister of Lands, Mr. Lee Martin, and to discuss with him the plight of high-country sheepmen. The conference lasted for five hours, during which representative speakers placed before the Minister numerous facts dealing with the position. The speakers contended that the sheep industry was the key industry of the Dominion. They stated they would not be able to carry on unless immediate relief from overhead costs were afforded them. If this were not done-, more sheepmen would go out during the next three months than was the case during the depression. Figures showing income and expenditure on numerous high-country runs in different parts of the island were quoted to show a marked increase of costs over a period of years, and, as a result, a. decline in revenue, runholders being unable to make ends meet.

The speakers urged on the Government the establishment of free exchange, the reduction of rents, and the making available of sufficient and efficient, labour to keep up production. They also urged research into land deterioration.

The Minister spoke early in the conference, and referred to the fact that Departmental officers had been investigating. The Government, he said, realised the seriousness of the position, and the report of its officers would form the basis for a commission. Many speakers had referred to new security of tenure, and the Minister of Lands was now drafting a Bill which aimed at a uniform tenure of 33 years, with the perpetual right of renewal.

Replying later to the addresses, thcMinister reviewed a nt/mber of Questions affecting high-country runs. He contended that the present position of the runholders was due to the fall in the price of wool. Many countries, owing to the. economic position, had been forced to go in for substitutes, and. though he was not a. pessimist, it. might be a long time before wool was again in as great a demand as it was a few years ago. He felt that the Government would face up to the problem, as it had to many other problems, and he would certainly place before Cabinet all of the tacts given him by the conference. The Minister said he would not. commit the Government to any course of action, when asked what steps would be taken to stop men from going off farms, but he said that the Government policy had always been to stabilise the man on the land, and the lasi thing that, they desired was to see [even one- mln go off.