THE CLUTHA RIVER CATCHMENT BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 6

THE CLUTHA RIVER CATCHMENT BOARD

Sir,—l have read with great interest the account in Saturday’s issue of your paper of the proposed scheme for the formation of a Catchment Board for the control of the waters of the Clutha basin, etc. I have, however, searched the article in vain for information as to how the project is to be financed. That is carefully concealed, and it is quite obvious that the principal thing it will catch will be the farmer and landowner—asleep at that.' If the farmer does not wake up in time he will find his area invaded by a small army of Government employees and salaried parasites of all sorts, and a huge loan raised over the whole area (a mortgage on his property), and a rate over his and everyone’s land to pay the interest. We have a River Board or trust in Clutha at present, which looks after the lower end, and what Is necessary Is hydro-electric works at Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, which would be of benefit to the community at large and would prevent disastrous flooding. The whole community—and not the farmers alone—would be responsible for the financial arrangements of this. It is high time our inanimate Farmers’ Union took this matter up to protect the farmers against this Government’s sponsored board backed up by legislative power to raise large loans, and with rating powers to mortgage the farmer’s land whether the scheme is of benefit to him or not. The farmer must pay! “Needs must when the devil drives.’*—l am, etc., Farmer. December' 31.