LIME INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 9

LIME INDUSTRY

INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHLAND (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL. May 17. The Lime Investigation Committee which has just begun its held investigations, concluded its Invercargill sittings to-day. On Monday the committee visited all the lime works in the western district, and a considerable part of yesterday was occupied by a meeting with representatives of all Southland lime companies. To-day representations from the Southland Executive of the Farmers’ Union were heard. The committee will leave by the express to-morrow morning for Gore and Balfour. Lime works will be visited during the morning and, in the afternoon, the committee will meet interested parties. On Friday, the committee will sit in Dunedin to hear representations and, on Saturday, it will return to Milburn to inspect three lime works there. “The committee had very good discussions both with representatives of the companies and the fanners, and was impressed by the points raised by both parties,'’ said the chairman (Mr G. A Holmes) in an interview tonight. “The committee'was also impressed with the efficiency of the Southland works and with the growth of the use of lime in the province.” It appeared, he continued, that the demand for lime in Southland and the development of large scale plants in the province had assisted in the efficiency of production resulting in comparatively cheap supplies Other factors had contributed to the wide use of lime, one being the granting of free railage up to 100 miles and another was the growing popularity of carbonate of lime which was relatively cheaper per ton and easier to apply than burnt lime. The use of this class of lime was also favourable to the companies, because its production could be speeded up at peak periods more easily. Another recent factor had been the extension of the system of top-dressing and spreading from motor lorries and by contract. “The committee is very sympathetic with the problems of the lime industry and the farmers,” Mr Holmes said. “ and is anxious to evolve some method of improvement wherever possible. Until the committee completes its report for presentation to the Government, it will not be possible to indicate what action may be recommended in the various districts.”