‘Bitter And Nasty Campaign’: Mayor Expresses Views

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 7

‘Bitter And Nasty Campaign’: Mayor Expresses Views

“I still fail to see how this very ! bitter and nasty campaign has occurred,” said Mr F. A. Kitchingham (Mayor of Greymouth), following an address by Mr M. Wallace, to Westland Progress' League members, last evening, on the. lime controversy. “It seems that the Ross limestone is incomparably better and the company has the facilities to supply all the lime required in the district, and it seems certain that Mr Johnston will ‘do in’ his £16,000. Well, why block him? Competition is the life and soul of economic progress, and if Mr Johnston is prepared to give it a go without cost to any of us, we should give him every facility.” Mr Wallace said that Mr Johnston proposed to develop Westport lands with .profit obtained from the sale of lime in the Grey area. “I protest at having to subsidise this land development in Buller any more .than any other ratepayer in the Dominion,” he said.

Answering Mr G. R. Harker, who asked whether Mr Wallace had actually stated that the Cobden calcium content was as low as 40 per cent, Mr Wallace said that he had qualified that remark by stating that he had been told that such was the position, and he had been given that advice by a departmental head. The secretary (Mr J. Saunders) replying to Mr Wallace’s claim that he had made an inaccurate statement regarding prices, said that he had reported to the meeting that a Barrytown farmer had advised him that he was paying 29s a ton for Ross lime and could not get it. He had merely stated that fact and had made, no comparison, or added any embellishments. Stating that there was a difference betwee nthe limes, Mr Wallace maintained that the statement was misleading. He and Mr Saunders differed on the issue. Seeds of Dissension Mr Harker said that Mr Wallace had said last Friday that the Progress League was going around the country sowing the seeds of dissension. “We addressed three meetings,” he said, “two were 100 per cent behind the Cobden scheme and at the third a majority voted for it but re-

fused to sign to that effect. I don t think the league can be accused of sowing seeds of dissension. We did not refer to Ross. The farmers themselves did that.” “I have seen so many attempts to undermine the loyalty of farmers and the co-operative movement,” said Mr Wallace. “Time and again they have been weaned away from their own organisation and to their detriment. However, I accept your statement.” Mr J. B. Bluett asked whether, in view of the financial embarrassment of the Ross works, a co-operative works would be started by Westport farmers. “Co-operative shareholders do not seek dividends,” replied Mr Wallace. “It is a service organisation.” “Then the farmers., who invest money with no hope of return will be paying more than 24s a ton for their lime.” said Mr Bluett. “A Little Hasty

“In our eagerness to advance the district we have been a little hasty,, said Mr Blank. “We are now questioning a man who knows something about farming after we have passed a resolution to support Mr Johnston. We should have found out the other side first. At the first meeting everything pointed to the Cobden scheme, but, now that Mr Wallace has given his views, members may be undecided that Cobden is the answer to the problem. Everything should be examined before any further public statements are made by the league. Mr Pratt asked whether if the pakihi lands were brought to grass they could be economically farmed, ana Mr Wallace said that while he could successfully farm 150 acres of river flat he did not think that at present 150 acres of former.pakihi land could be farmed™ The effect of the lime treatment would have to be determined, he said, pointing out that at Koiterangi, heavy use of lime resiL ed in water being unable to percolate through the soil and had resulted in many drains being required. ine farming of second and third rate land is just a tremendous question mark, he said.