COAST FARMERS’ REQUEST

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1940, Page 8

COAST FARMERS’ REQUEST

DISTRIBUTION OF SUPER Minister Discusses Difficulty The desirability of having superphosphate railed to a free point for the purpose of distribution to West Coast farmers, was advanced by a deputation from the West Coast Farmers’ Union, consisting of Messrs W. Clayton and J. Mulcare, in an interview with the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin) at Greymouth last evening. Stillwater was suggested as the base, and the Minister promised to look into the question. The deputation was introduced by Mr Jas O’Brien, M.P., and the first speaker was Mr Mulcare, who said'

that lime was the most important thing so far as the West’ Coast was concerned. What they were inter- . ested in was the finding of the Lime Commission, which they (the Farmers’ Union), had recommended. He felt the farmers had a right to know. Mr W. Clayton said the farmers on the West Coast were concerned about the fixing of a distribution point for their fertiliser. Farmers here had a particular problem. Superphosphate was an excellent manure for the West Coast in conjunction with lime. West Coast farmers were up against a problem of labour owing to the competition of the coal, gold and timber industries. They were handicapped by the want of labour. As a farmer he found the best way was to put lime and superphosphates on the land by contract labour. If the industry was to do good, and it must do well as it was the most permanent industry, cheap fertiliser and cheap lime must be made available. West Coast land was amongst the best in New Zealand. This was proved by the fact that the West Coast was able to top the Addington market with sheep, cattle and pigs. The Coast also produced first-class butter. Any part of the province would grow grass and the one thing which they know would encourage farming was a cheap supply' of fertiliser and lime. The farmer was tied down to. fixed prices for his produce. There was no reason why the West Coast farmer should pay more for his fertiliser than the Canterbury farmer. Their object could be achieved by having a fixed point, and Stillwater was suggested.

Mr Mulcare said that the North and South Canterbury Executives of the Farmers’ Union had ' agreed to bear any increased cost involved in giving cheaper fertiliser to the West Coast district.

Mr A. H. Cockayne, Director-Gen-eral of Agriculture, said that a large area in the North Island was quite as difficult a position as the West Coast, so far as the railage of fertiliser was concerned, but they were getting fertiliser at £3 16s per ton. The same arrangement should be- made fo r the West Coast without breaking the agreement with the fertiliser company. The cheapest fertiliser was in Canterbury and Otago, that was £4 2s at certain free distribution points. If the North Island price were granted to the West Coast, it would probably bring the purchase price down 5s per ton. Mr Mulcare said that would be a great help.

Mr Cockayne said that trying to fix a new price would have repercussions with the companies.

Mr Mulcare said the manager of one company had promised exactly what the deputation was asking for, and consequently the West Coast farmers felt sore on the point. MINISTER’S EXPLANATION. The Minister agreed that Mr Clayton was correct in saying that the West Coast needed superphosphate, which produced wonderful results.

He knew from his own experience that superphosphate, and lime were | most beneficial. His reason for hav- ' ing Mr Cockayne accompany him was to get a picture of the West Coast, and an outline of its requirements. Regarding the Lime Commission, he had hoped to have the report available before now, but work as a result of the war regulations etc., had proved a terrific job, and it had not been until a week or two ago that he had got the report from the committee. He had since circulated it amongst Ministers. It was a comprehensive report. Other Ministers had been away on departmental

business and. attending functions in various districts in connection with the centennial, and he had not yet been able to get a discussion in Cabinet on the matter. He hoped to make the report available very soon. It was quite voluminous and a very valuable report. They might not be able to give effect to all of the committee’s recommendations. He assur- 1 ed .them that the Government was giving a lot of attention to the matter, and he hoped to have the report available for those interested at anyrate, and particularly the farmers who had rendered very valuable assistance in the compilation of th e report. The Canterbury district was I well serviced, being well served with

railway communication. He was concerned about relieving the burden on those farmers who had a large amount of road transport. They were getting all the information they could on this aspect. ■ Mr Cockayne pointed out that the department had spent £160,000 on free railage last year. Mr Clayton said that there were hundreds of empty trucks coming to the West Coast from Canterbury every day. The Minister said that that was opening up a very big question. It might- be as well to discuss it with the Minister of Railways, but the complications in every district would be great. Mr Cockayne said The purpose of his visit was to meet the farming community and obtain their viewpoint. Drainage, lime and phosphate comprised the wh6le difficulty of grassland farming on the West Coast The Minister agreed, and promised to look into the requests of the deputation.