LIME COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 195, 19 July 1939, Page 8

LIME COMMITTEE.

COAIPILATION OF REPORT. TAISPECTIONS ALAIOST COAIPEETE Though it has completed the inspection, with the, exception of a few minor plants, of all the lime works in New Zealand, the committee which is conducting an investigation on behalf of the Government into the production, marketing and distribution of lime in New Zealand has a good dea' of work yet ahead of it before it will be in a position to compile its report for presentation.

After meeting representatives of the Farmers’ Union and of liino manufacturing companies in Palmerston North yesterday, the committee left to-day for Pahiatua and Mauriceville. It intends later to meet in Wellington, where technical officers of various denartments will be called to give expert evidence. Ah- G. A. Holmes, of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, chairman of tho committee, informed an “Evening Standard” reporter to-day that it was not possible to indicate at the present stage what recommendations the committee might make to the Government. Tt would he some time before it would be possible to analvse all the data which had been collected, and to make a on refill study of the figures submitted by tho lime manufacturing companies. Mr Holmes added that the committee had been impressed by the expansion in the use of lime in the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts during recent years, with indications pointing to still greater consumption of this material. The committee had been faced with a considerable number of problems in connection with the production and distribution of lime. It was realised that the widest possible use of this was necessary to prevent the deterioration of pasture laud and the maintenance of first-class grass lands of tho highest feeding quality. It was considered by the committee, stated Air Holmes, that more extensive use of lime would lie possible if a reduction could bo effected in the “spread” cost to tho farmers, and in this the use of the motor-lorry type of top-dresser could be of the greatest assistance.