FARMING AFFAIRS

Lake County Mail, Issue 14, 27 August 1947, Page 2

FARMING AFFAIRS

This column is supplied weekly by Federated Farmers’ of New Zealand. The information given is official, but any views expressed are those of the Federation and are not necessarily those of this newspaper.

SHEEP INDUSTRY COMMISSION

Already certain misconceptions are apparent concerning the appointment of the Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the sheep farming industry of New Zealand. In certain districts some criticism has been levelled at the personnel and certain press criticism has been directed at the Government. Those who are responsible for comment of that nature show ignorance of the situation and obviously lack a knowledge of the story behind the commission’s establishment. They should know that the personnel has been .approved; so far as growers arc concerned, by the responsible leaders of the sheep industry and they should know that the Government has met industry representatives with sympathy and has given full consideration to every point raised by growers as represented by the Wool and Meat Boards and by Federated Farmers. Growers’ Nominee When the Government agreed to set up the Commission, last year, details of the appointments were immediately finalised. The Meat and Wool Boards, in association with the meat and wool section, of Federated Farmers, consequently compiled a panel of names of nominees on behalf of the growers. Three nominees represented North Island hill country interests, three represented South Island high country interests and three others represented general farming interest. The four growers finally selected by the Government came directly from that panel. Mr E. H. White (Otane), the chairman, was on the general farming panel; Messrs L. C. Gardiner (Waiari) and W. A. Scarfe (Wanaka) were on the South Island high country panel, while Mr W. F. Metcalfe (Te Arawa) was on the North Island hill country panel. It was also agreed in the early discussions that the Government sliould directly appoint two representatives and the industry indicated that the selection of Mr E Eddy, M.L.C., would be favourably received. He is one of the two Government appointments. Co-operation Between Bodies The industry, therefore, has four direct representatives on the commission and all four meet with the approval of the growers as represented by the two Statutory Boards concerned and by the Council of the Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers. The three bodies worked in close co-opera-tion in all negotiations with the Government and both the personnel and order of reference meets with their satisfaction. The only appointment outside the scope of the growers’ representatives has been that of Mr W. Youren (Napier), who is a direct Government nominee. It must also be realised that the commission will inquire into every phrase of sheep farming, but the order of reference puts special emphasis on investigations with the problems of high and hill country land, just as the industry asked for in the first instance. It is understood that the commission will meet at an early date when it will consult growers’ organisations on the plan of investigation. It will determine details of the evidence received and give every opportunity for districts to collect data necessary for presentation. Towards the end of the year, probably late in October, the detailed investigation will commence. Happier Conditions All in all, then, this new commission starts under very muuch happier conditions so far as the farmers are concerned than did the commission of 1939.