FARM PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1944, Page 7

FARM PRODUCTION

DISCUSSED AT GREYMOUTH. MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of the West Coast Council of Primary Production was held at Greymouth yesterdav morning, there being present, Messrs D. B. Jellie i (Chairman), W. Vallance, M. B. Mc.- ' Callum, G. G. M. Mitchell, M. Mine|han, H. G. Carter and J. Mulcare I (Secretary). The chairman was appointed to represent the Council at several appeals | for farmers from Harihari, to'be held to-day at Hokitika. | The Minister of National Service, Hon. A. McLagan, in reply to an enquiry from the Council, stated that it had not been found possible to effect a return of men for farms from the Middle East forces. Everything would be done, however, to supply men for the farming industry and enough men would be sent back in time for the next season. Some men were already back and would be made available to

farmers immediately. In regard to the question of relatives and former employees, it was stated that every consideration would be given to those men when a return draft was being selected. - Mr. Mitchell said that it might still be desirable to represent to the Government that men in the Middle East forces with farming experience on the West Coast. These were the men who should be brought back to the province. The Chairman: We should pursue the matter further. There should not be any difficulty in getting men back here, said Mr. Carter, particularly when they were relations of farmers. It was decided to make further efforts to obtain the release from the Middle East Forces of farmers with a knowledge of West Coast conditions. Mr. Vallance pointed out that some men had been released from camp to go on farms, but he knew of at least one case where the soldier did not go to the farm, but obtained employment elsewhere. Mr. Carter: Then he is now subject to be recalled to camp. . Mr. Mitchejl said that such cases should be reported to the Armed Forces Appeal Board. The Rehabilitation Department, Greymouth, wrote asking the Council to obtain names of local farmers who would be willing to train ex-service-men on a subsidy basis. , “I don’t think we will get many on the Coast,” commented the Chairman.”

It was decided to support a request by Mr. J. R. Jenkins, Secretary of the iKaramea Committee, for assistance lin the matter of obtaining motor-car tyres. | ' Referring to the question of fertiliser, the Chairman said that superphosphate should be allocated according to the amount, of lime used bv | the farmer the previous year. Hardship might be inflicted on some, but | the suggestion was a good one. Some were using superphosphate year after year, without lime, and its lvalue was being lost. If lime wus used only a light dressing of super1 phosphate would be required, and a i much" better return would be obtained. In some places, more lime than anything else was neeaed, and he was ■of the opinion that any place within la hundred miles of a railway, should use lime extensively. Mr. Carter remarked that the Coun[cil should give more consideration to The small farmer.

The Secretary replied that the allocation of fertiliser was not with jurisdiction of the Council and. pointed out that the farm which had had a' large allocation must get it again the following year. Mr. Vallance said that allocation must be made according to the size of the property. He was of the opinion that there were no men on the West Coast who would buy artificial i manure and put it into the land to avoid payment of income tax. “I know dozens of them,” said the Secretary, “who try to avoid taxation that way. They know the value is always in the land and I know many small farmers who cannot get fertiliser.”

A resolution was passed that the Council expresses the opinion that a certain amount of lime-'-should precede the use of superphosphate, in order to enable farmers to obtain full benefit of the latter.

The Greymouth Branch of the R.S.A. wrote stating that members of the Association at its ainnual meeting had taken exception to the Council’s nomination of Mr. Minehan as farmers’ representative on the local Re-/ habilitation Committee.

“Mr. Minehan promptly resigned,” said the Secretary. " “The Council should be hurt over this thing as Mr. Minehan was pushed into the appointment. The R.S.A. had no suggestions to make as to a suitable replacement.” Mr. Mitchell moved that the Council nominate Mr. James Keeney of Cobden, for appointment to the position, the motion being carried. Appreciation was expressed of the Meteorological Department’s offer of co-operation with local farmers in the matter of weather forecasts ano flood possibilities. It was decided to send a letter of Congratulation to Mr. C. F. Shapcott, former Secretary of the Armed Forces Appeal Board, on his promotioni and expressing appreciation of his services.