IRRIGATION WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22892, 22 November 1937, Page 10

IRRIGATION WORK

GREAT POSSIBILITIES MINISTER'S EXPECTATIONS [BY TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT J WELLINGTON, Saturday

"There are wonderful possibilities in this country for irrigation," declared the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when making available the results of the economic survey conducted for this purpose in Canterbury.

"In that province, for instance," Mr. Semple added, "there is a possible 600,000 acres of land which could be irrigated. Under the new system of mechanisation this could be done at between £6 and £7 an acre, making it possible for the farmer to get water for approximately 6s an acre. Based upon the results obtained in the Ashburton district, the productivity of the soil would be increased at least fourfold."

The only justification for irrigation would be, said Mr. Semple, that it would increase the farmer's output at a cost which would leave him with an increased income after meeting additional expense. This could not be done under the old methods, but jras possible under the new system of mechanisation.

The Canterbury survey being almost complete, an irrigation survey is now being conducted In Marlborough, and there will be other areas to receive similar attention when the staff becomes available. There were other considerations besides irrigation, for it would never do, said Mr. Semple, to permit the land speculator to receive the benefit of the nation's enterprise. Irrigation, in his opinion, was likely to constitute major public works of the future.

"My own view," concluded the Minister, "is that Canterburv alone could feed New Zealand if "it were scientifically irrigated at a cost that fanners could meet."