CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20966, 4 March 1930, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TOUR OF CENTRAL OTAGO. RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING CHAMBER’S ATTITUDE. At tile University Olubrooms last night the members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce held a meeting to consider a number of matters arising out of the recent tour by members of Central Otago. The chair was occupied by Mr A. H. Allen, president. Representatives were also present from the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Harbour Board. The chairman said that the party had been welcomed everywhere it went, and m all parts it was pleasing to note the spirit of optimism that prevailed in bpite of the depression. Such tours would do much good, and therefore should be more frequent. As yet the enormous possibilities of Central Otago had been exploited to a very’ limited degree. Water was the crying need, and where it was available and wastes became fertile lands. He referred to the prolific crops of lucerne and the lovely fields of ripened corn. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for further development would be found in the dairying industry. Mr Alien proceeded to refer in some detail to the tour. Private enterprise had developed about 2000 acres by irrigation on the Omarama Flats, and the Government should be urged to consider the possibility of further developing considerable tracts of irrigable land in this locality. From Tarras onward great development by irrigation was noticeable, but the country was principally devoted to sheep grazing, which resulted in large areas of land being held privately “ For the c ] oser settlement of Central Otago.” salc * i j c “ small irrigated sections should be made available, as. apart from fruitgrowing this district is eminently suited for dairy farming. We feel convinced 1 that when further supplies of water are available through irrigation, dairying must play an important part in the future development of Central Otago. In this connection we cannot do better than draw attention to the results of the Government irrigation farm at Galloway Flat, near Alexandra. Previous to the commencement of dairying operations in 1924. the country was a scab weed waste, carrying one sheep to eight acres. As a result oi irrigation and suitable cultivation. 89 acres of this land now carry 56 milking cows and 35 young stock—a total of 91 head of practically full-grown animals Ptior to the Government assist* unce in this district there were no farmers carrying on dairying as a business. To-day pactically every settler on this land is dairying, and there are 23 farmers making a success of it. The line of demarcation between the irrigated and nonirrigated lands in this area is most noticeable. Above the water race is to seen nothing but dust and weeds—below it, is found beautiful crops of grass and clover orjucerne. There are many other areas equally good as Galloway Flat for dairying, such as Tarras and the Ardgowan districts. We feel that the Government should be urged to take over areas therein for experimental purposes and demonstrate the suitability of those lands for dairying purposes. On the Government’s irrigation schemes alone there are thousands of acres suitable for dairy farming which at present are being used for the rearing of sheep, ff the dairying industry were established in these districts closer settlement would result, tor dairying will give a much greater return per acre. Galloway Flat is a fair representation of what can be done by applying water to the arid lands of Central Otago, for the Galloway land is poorer than most , others in the district. Where lucerne can be grown with such success, cows can bp wintered on it alone, whereas in the dairying districts of the North Island it is necessary to grow turnips and mangels for winter fodder. We are assured by authorities that, generally speaking, Central Otago is ' quite equal ,to the most favourable dair-i.ig' districts of the North ' Island.” Irrigation schemes, though -costly, and in some instances brought a loss, were a national requirement. The first loss should result in a handsome profit to the Dominion, for irrigation would open up the country, improve the value of Crown and freehold lands, increa'se production tremendously, provide additional revenue through ■ taxation, and increase the demand on public utilities and services. The increased revenue should more than repay the writing down on some existing schemes and others that were under consideration. The aim of the chamber should be to enable 100,900 people to settle and live comfortablv and profitably on the lands of Central Otago. The Government should he urged to conduct an afforestation scheme on a larger scale (ban at present, and special inducements should be given to settlers by providing them with young trees at the lowest possible cost. Mr Allen also touched on the tourist resorts, and pointed out their requirements. such as, improved roads, better boats on Lake Wakatipu, and frequent and regular service by modern steamers from Victoria to South Island ports. He also referred to the fruitgrowing areas—some of the finest in the southern hemisphere. Mr Allen added: In our opinion the tour mupt result in much good, for in addition to enabling us more closely to understand the settlers’ needs and assist in securing them. we‘ have strengthened the good feeling previously existing between town and country, and every member returned to Dunedin an ardent advocate of Central Otago. There is a wealth of opportunity waiting our assistance at our very door and we must use all the’power and influence at our command, and then country and city will grow together.” Mr A. C. Cameron .(vice-president) supplemented the chairman’s remarks, and spoke of the warm hospitality extended to the party all along the route. IRRIGATION IN 'CENTRAL OTAGO R- B. Tenneut (fields superintendent, Department of Agriculture) addressed the meeting on “ Irrigation in Central Otago.” He gave a brief explanation of what irrigation meant in the district and exhibited a series of slides which conveyed to the audience an idea of the great amount of wealth that was locked up in the fertile soils of Central Otago. He pointed out that at present over 50,000 acres of land are under irrigation. including 11,668 at Ida Valiev and 10,000 at Hawkdun. Individual schemes dealt with 10,000 acres, company schemes with 5000 acres, and local bodies with 7000 acres (Bannockburn and Matakanui in particular). It was estimated that eventually 375,000. acres could he brought under irrigation', as follows:- By gravity 280.000 acres, and by pumping--92,000 acres. It would be a tremendous thing for Otago if it had 400.000 acres producing what they could produce said i“ r A fenneut. Prior to irrigation the -oFoSa i ? cres , now > rri sated produced t 25,000 in cash, and it had been estimated that the same land under irrigation would produce £500.000 annually If tl'e total irrigable area of Central Otago —402,000 acres—were reclaimed and developed the annual production from the area would be in the vicinty of £3.618,000. RESOLUTIONS AGREED TO.

The lollowinp; resolutions were carried, after a brief discussion in some cases:— Tourist .Resorts —(a) That the Govern raent be urged to give greater prominence to the tourist resorts of the South Island —notably the Southern Lakes and Fiord land, (b) That with a view to having Tourist Department stall fully acquainted with the tourist resorts of the Dominion an endeavour be made to see that at least one competent South Island man conversant with the southern resorts bt on each North Island staff, and vice versa Haast Pass.—That this chamber urges upon the Government the desirability of constructing at the earliest possible date the Haast Pass road to the West Coast from Wanaka. thereby providing a main arterial road between East and West Coasts. This will open up excellent dairying and cattle country, and will also traverse one of the best scenic districts in the Dominion. it will further have the advantage of providing a complete tourist circuit of the booth Island, without the necessity of twice travelling over any portion of it.— Mr James Begg said the meeting was urging the Government to carry a road into a wilderness, with no return likely to come from it. and at the same time they were talking economy. It was hardly rifpt. when it was difficult to borrow money to support a work the benefits of which were very remote—The motion was earned.

Extension of Railway. Cromwell to Luggaie. 1 bat in view of the serious opposition now being met by our rail ways trom motor transport, this chamber instead of pressing for extension of the railway from Cromwell to Luggate, urges that both Wanaka and Hawea districts he provided with the best kind of road that can be constructed as a feeder to the railway

Linclis Pass Road.—That this chamber requests the Government to provide passin places on the Lindis Pass road between Omarama and Tarras, and where necessary widen and strengthen the bridges. Cromwell Development Company Flats. —That this chamber supports the petition forwarded by the Cromwell Progress .League urging the Government to resume the lands known as the Cromwell Fiats and the irrigation headworks, provided they are obtainable at fair valuation. Ripponvale.—ln the event of the Government taking over the Cromwell flats and irrigation head works, it be urged to provide adequate water for thoroughly irrigating the Ripponvale orchards. Alining Rights at Ettrick.—That our attention having been drawn to the application of a company for mining rights over about 1000 acres at Ettrick. emphatically protests against the granting ot pnch license. The land when irrigated will be highly suitable for agricultural and fruitgrowing purposes for all time, whereas if do .polled by milling would not only be thoroughly useless and a disfigurement. to the countryside, but would be a national loss.

Duty on Imported Fruits.—With a view pt protecting the interests of New Zealand fruitgrowers, this chamber urges the Government to impose such duty on cherries and other fresh stone fruits as 3 the price of New Zealand and Australian-grown fruits to the conSumer.

? r . i - ed ®lruit Industry.—With a view of assisting New Zealand fruitgrowers, the possibility of establishing the dried fruit industry in New Zealand be investigated by the Government. •

IRRIGATION. The chairman moved—“ That while !nr g "hvZe t | le^ dvi abU i ty of “"structWnnhLi riC works of Haweaf°r. the Purpose of supplying Centr il nl lrr, W t mg the dry areas of Otago- .it is agreed that until eo Cb .i*' lme a f tbp demand for power more pearly equals the supply from the evict Coleridge ft 'y ai P o ’;i. Waital”, and 1 ls , undesirable to urge the further expenditure of large sums of money as will be necessary for the conworks' 0 " l n of t, h Z Hawea-Vanaka heTd meet unon th wartime the chamber SH. P t;' e Government to proceed line thßKra r ,ta .ti o ii scheme known as the Upper Manuherikia scheme, for irrigating m. ar, Whr e dfl th f b l 6e f ed bv thaf aZ witv. .V nile “is chamber is mnressed Hr T n m N „l C °n 0D 6econd ?d the motion, tor said fL? ?g ’- sp f- ak,ne 38 an irriga fsif... 1 that irrigation was a ghastlv He dfd IZV- bnancial point o rriew iustified r tblnk the chamber would be thi rnT mmend,nK .the scheme, be cause the cost was too high. ■ A : y* Oameron contends fh«* ces'sfuk «orlf ati ° n vT Sehemes had been BU cIn the i as Munson and Holloway’s „l?e,T'v lar . Rer s S h ; m(ls , the cost had been hbof b > cost of the "■■■ > Mb The chairman asked Mr Begg if he noulcl leave the thousands of acres 'in Hnd tr f otaK .° undeveloped tor all time Had they not a duty to posterif ? Mr Begg; There are alternatives, me chairman, continuing, said the iudirect benefit to the Government countereft a T? irriting-down of the original cost. the Government was getting tremendous sums by taxation which should be offset against any loss in development. An amendment, that the discussion be adjourned, was negatived, and the motion "'as earned with one dissentient. ’ VOTES OF THANKS.

le President and the vice-president were thanked for their reports on the tour, and Mr Tennent was thanked for Ins lecture.