DAIRY COW POOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22210, 21 December 1946, Page 2

DAIRY COW POOL

R.S.A. STOCK PLAN ALLOCATION POLICY * SEASON'S CARRY-OVER A misapprehension which apparently had arisen regarding the functions and policy of the R.S.A. stock committee gave rise to a special meeting held this week, when complaints were voiced by one or two returned men regarding the allocation of stock from the pool initiated in 1944 and carried on up to the present. Regret was expressed by members ot die committee that a misunderstanding appeared to have developed in the minds of one or two Kiwis, and that unwarranted criticism had been voiced. It. was keenly regretted, further, that those who had offered the criticism had failed to accept an invitation to attend the meeting.

It was emphasised that the committee had been appointed at a meeting held in February. 1944. and convened by the executive ol' the Gisborne Returned Services’ Association, to consider the question of the probable shortage of young dairy stock in relation to prospective requirements of Kiwi returned men who woud be taking up dairying after the war. This meeting was largely attended by farmer members of the R.S.A. from Tikitiki to Nuhaka, and also by representatives of the co-op-erative dairy produce companies of the district.

The broad lines of the policy to be followed were agreed to at that gathering, and apart from minor adjustments to meet changing circumstances that policy has been maintained throughout. The chief aim was and is to conserve young dairy stock which otherwise would be lost to the industry, bring it to profit by .the aid of sympathetic farmers and graziers, and make it available to Kiwi servicemen who settle on the land. Herd Nuclei for New Settlers It was decided earlier that upon application each returned serviceman who settled on the land as a bona fide dairy farmer, either through the efforts of the Rehabilitation Department or through his own efforts, should receive a maximum of five head of young stock as the nucleus of his herd. Most of the stock held is from high-production strains, and a number of men who have