SHEEP INDUSTRY REPORT MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN LAST FARMING YEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 April 1950, Page 6

SHEEP INDUSTRY REPORT MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN LAST FARMING YEAR

“The publication of the Sheep Industry Commission’s report was probably the most important event during the year,” said the president (Mr. I. F. E. Carter) at yesterday’s annual conference of the meat and wool section of Federated Farmers. “There can be no doubt that the commission went thoroughly into the problems affecting New Zealand sheep farmers and did its best to make recommendations which- were practicable and likely to be of benefit to the industry. One thing which became apparent immediately after the publication of te report was that there was a lack of unanimity among farmers themselves on various aspects of it and there was a grave danger that, because of these differences of opinion, the whole report might be shelved.” Mr. Carter said the executive and the inter-provincial conference haa discussed the report and had decided to press for the implementation of certain important recommendations. These included access loading, electrical reticulation, State housing in rural areas, pest destruction, lower manure prices and the formation of a Marginal Lands Board. “In connection with this latter matter,’ ’he said, “there seems to be fairly general agreement to the formation of a Sheep Industry Board as recommended would not be warranted, but a Marginal Lands Board with more farmer representation, could serve a useful purpose. It is too early to predict what the attitude of the new government will be but wc hope that it will give effect to at least some of the more important recommendations.”