FEED SHORTAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21646, 6 May 1940, Page 11

FEED SHORTAGE

FREE RAILAGE REQUESTED “That South Canterbury stock be railed free to grass or, alternatively, that feed be carried urgently into the district,’’ was a request formulated at the annual meeting of the Temuka branch of the Farmers’ Union on Friday evening, to be forwarded direct to the Minister of Railways, instead of through the official channel of the South Canterbury Provincial Executive. It was considered that the problem of providing winter feed was so acute owing to the detrimental effect of the continual blast of north-east winds earlier in the year, that the branch was justified in taking unusual steps to alleviate the position. Mr A. J. Davey, president of the South Canterbury Provincial Executive, said on Saturday that he was in full agreement with the procedure. There was no need to dwell on the need for feed for stock at this time of the year. Lambs which normally would be held were being sent to the freezing works. Further, ill-fed ewes would return poor lambs next season just at a time when Increased production of best quality stock was needed. To prevent this it might be necessary to send stock as far south as Southland, and it was necessary that some provision be made for this, or for the transport of food for the stock. “Something must be done,” said Mr Davey, “or dire results will befall the producers. Indeed it may be so bad that many of the farmers will go to the wall.”