‘Loose Statements’ Were Made: Mr Taylor Makes Reply

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 7

‘Loose Statements’ Were Made: Mr Taylor Makes Reply

Claiming that many statements made in opposition to the proposal to establish a new lime works at Cobden had been loose, the president of the Westland District Progress League, following an address by Mr Wallace, a Koiterangi farmer, and one of the leaders of the opposition to the new movement, last evening gave his answer to these statements. “The league has been said to be hasty,” said Mr Taylor, “but this is not the first time that the proposition has been before the league, for it was thrashed out two years ago. I am happy that this meeting has been held and that we’ have heard Mr Wallace. I am happy because there has been none of the bitterness or hostility that characterised the meeting of farmers last Friday. Things were said then that should never have been said and a vicious attack was ’ made without justification on this league. Those things are, however, over and done with now. “A committee has been investigating this matter for the league— Messrs Saunders, Harker, Harley and myself,” he went on, “and there are several matters which have come to light since last Friday’s meeting that we wish to investigate. “There have been several loose statements that have been circulated right through the history of this matter,” continued Mr Taylor, “and I propose to give a few. examples. “If Ross is the best source and can suply the best lime I think, we can support Ross,” he said, “as long as Mr Johnston receives some consideration for the proposal he has in mind which can be' a big thing to the West Coast.

Emphatic Denial “Mr Wallace made a statement about members of this league sowing seeds of dissension and disloyalty. I give that an emphatic denial,” said Mr Taylor. “No farmer or meeting ' of farmers was asked to purchase lime from Mr Johnston. They were asked if there was a shortage of lime and if they supported Mr Johnston and his scheme for a new works at Cobden. No atempt was made to draw them away from the Ross works. “In the first place we were told there was no shortage of lime. On all sides now we are told that there is. How serious it is we do not know, but in three districts 50 farmers signed to support the new works.”

Mr Wallace stated that he had never denied that there was a shortage of lime.

“Another loose statement was that the Ross works was closing down,” said Mr Taylor. “If that remark had not been made, this fresh controversy would never have cropped up. Finally it was said that the calcium content of Cobden limestone was 40 to 70 per cent., with an average of 60 per cent. That has been disproved. Mr Wallace has stated that he had taken the content at 75 per cent, for the purpose of calculating respective values, but how about the effect of his original statement on the minds of the public? A -lime works now operating at Waikari uses stone with a percentage of only 43 to 79 with an average of about 60 per cent?” he went on. “We were, told that to spread 200,000 tons of lime many acres would have to be stumped and settled. Nothing was said about that by Dr Marsden when he provided his estimate. He said that that much lime would be required to give an initial dressing to the lands under grass at present. It was also said that Cobden stone holds 25 per cent, of water. When that was checked up, I was told that it was not impossible but most highly improbable. The water content was merely likely to be 5 per cent. Minister and Freight

“We were told at Friday’s meeting of farmers that the present scheme for 100-mile free railage for lime for farmers was to be cancelled and a new scheme substituted,” said Mr Taylor. “I telegraphed the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Cullen) and asked him if tins was so and received a reply stating that there had been no alteration in the present system, though certain proposals had been made to the Government regarding road transport and these were at present being examined. Until they had been discussed and approved, the existing system would continue.

. “These are some of the loose statements made that, when satisfactorily checked, are found to be inaccurate,” said Mr Taylor. “Mr Wallace stated the calcium content at Whitecliffs to be 80 per cent, and that at Cobden 75 per cent,” he continued. “Is it worthwhile to worry about Whitecliffs for the sake of five per cent., having regard to the advantages Cobden has over Whitecliffs in the matter of electric power, housing accommodation, power supply and less overburden? This much is certain, that Mr Johnston will not go to Whitecliffs. It. is doubtful that the farmers of Westport can establish a co-operative or any other type of works at Whitecliffs.”

Mr Taylor then moved that the league postpone further consideration of the lime-works proposition until further consideration had been given proposals to enable the committee to bring down a report to the next meeting. Mr Blank withdrew his motion, and that of Mr Taylor was then adopted. Need for Farmers’ Delegate Replying to Mr Taylor, Mr Wallace still maintained that it was impossible to spread lime on 50 per cent, of the land in grass on the West Coast. In connection with .■ lime transport, he stated that the president of the West Coast Federated Farmers (Mr W .H. Martin) had made an official statement at last week’s meeting and that he was sure that the Government would, in the near future, implement the report of the Lime Commission and alter the present system. “This meeting shows that a farmers’ representative is necessary on the council of the league,” said Mr Harker, who appealed to Mr Wallace to endeavour to have a delegate appointed to attend meetings.