PRODUCTION COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1943, Page 2

PRODUCTION COUNCIL

GENERAL MEETING HELD. Mr. D. B. Jellie presided at, the general meeting of the West Coast Council of Primary Production heid in Greymouth yesterday. Twentytwo delegates from the District Committees attended, each committee being entitled to one vote. The question of tyre supplies lor usel in the work of the Council was brought up by Mr. W. A. Martin (Westport). He said it should be determined if the work was essential; if not, it should cease, but if it was esential, then facilities should be granted. He had himself travelled two or three times the normal distance he would normally do if it' were not for the Council business. He ±iad himself obtained permits for the retreading of four tyres. He had ascertained that there were substantial supplies of new tyres in Westport; while they should not be squandered, they should not be kept locked up. The position at present was really acute. Mr. Jellie said he had been definitely refused by the Oil Fuel Controller permission to obtain tyres. It had been stated that the SecretaryOrganiser was the only person eligible to obtain new tyres. Howev§r, he thought the Chairman of each District Committee should be entitled to obtain tyres. He had been informed that second-hand tyres could be obtained if they could be located, the purchase price not to exceed 50 per cent, that of a new article. x On the motion of Mr. Carter, seconded by Mr. Hansen._it was decided to urge the National Council to endeavour to obtain tyres for Chairmen of District Committees. The meeting, by a unanimous vote, resolved to stand by the Council in its decision to admit the Press to its deliberations. Mr. W. Vallance (Rotomanu) moved and Mr. P JO’Regan (Inangahua) seconded the motion The latter said that the Minister of Agriculture had declared against the reporting of Council proceedings, but the Minister, as ms name implied, was a servant of the public, and the public had the right , to know how their business was being transacted and their money was being spent. Keen dissatisfaction with the standards of farm production set down for the guidance of Armed Forces Appeal Boards was expressed by the meeting One delegate said the standard of butterfat production 6000 lb. per male unit, which was not applicable on the Coast. Many farms would disappear if the rule were maintained. So far as the standard for sheep farms was concerned, he could count on one hand Coast farms which measured up to the requirements, because over here conditions were vastly different. Another speaker commented that “the standards are absolutely ludicrous so far as the West Coast is concerned, io obtain the' production set, double or treble the areas at present worked would be required. . „„ oq finn The Chairman raised the question of asking for the reopening of an appeal fop a farmer against service in the Armed Forces which had been dismissed by the Appeal Board. It was decided to take steps m this direction, and the matter was left m the hands of the Chairman (Mr D. B. Jellie) the Secretary, (Mr J Mulcare), and Messrs F. C. Marshall and G. G. M. Mitchell. The Kokatahi-Koiterangi Production Committee brought forward a remit that in view or the wastage oityres, petrol and labour involved in obtaining reports for reviews of appeal Board cases these reviews should be dispensed with if the position was substantially the same as when the review was previously’ heard. uhe remit was approved. It was decided that the chairman of district committees, together with departmental and commercial representatives should constitute the district councils, with the provision that district councils should have the right to send substitute members for the chairmen to the meetings it necessary. In view of this decision Mr. W. H. Martin, of Westport, withdrew a remit concerning the retiring of half the Council each year. The Westport Committee brought forward a remit that local authorities be asked to purchase tractors and tractor mowers in. order to aid and maintain production. It was decided that the Buller County Council be asked to purchase a tractor and tractor mower, and that the request be confined to this body at present. At the conclusion of the conference the delegates were entertained at dinner at Revington’s Hotel, followed by a picture party; The following districts were represented: Mokihinui. Westport. Inangahua. Maruia. Grev Valley, Rotomanin. Greymouth. Arahura, Kokatahi, Harihari. and Wataroa. An apology for absence was sent from the Karamea district.