What Mr. Semple Cannot Understand

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1949, Page 6

What Mr. Semple Cannot Understand

WELLINGTONjAugust.il. Members of the House of Represeiftatives , tonight had something to -say about catehinent boards when thfe report of the Sheep Commission was debated further. Hon. R. Semple said he simply could not understand the Commission 's recommendation that catehinent boards should be abolished. He could not understand gentlemen who "had travelied New Zealand saying this. It 'did . hot take a scientist to observe erosion with his own eyes. .The Soil Conservatioii Council which was established only after a full inquiry into the approaeh'to the erosiOn problem in other countries, had not indulged in alarmist propaganda. "I am sorry they made a blot on their excellent report by making- thiw stupid statement about catchment boards," he said. Mr Holyoake: I wouldn't call it stupid. Mr Semple: The honourable member may have a better vocabulary than 1 have. Mr Orarn: The Minister is too modest. Mr Semple: I will call it a ailly statement. The Minister said the support which farmers had given catchment 'boards showed that the farmers approved what was being done to save their land which' was actually the national heritage. " Catchment boards have done go'o'd work • and will continue to do good work,", he said. The boards were experimental and while they might not yet be perfect, the Commission 's sta'teuients had been un'fair to them and to their achievements to date. When Mr- Semple resumed his seat Mr Bodkin and Mr "Langstbnei both sought the eye of Mr Speaker who calied Mr Langstone. ' There were cries of "oh" from Op> position benches but another Opposition member remarked, "he's Independent uabour now." When Mr Langstone began to speak of erosion, Mr Sullivan interjected-: • ' There 's been some erosion in the Labour Party in Roskili, Mr Langstone: The member for Roskill is all right, thank you. Mr Langstone said there was a' tremendous amount of soil erosion going on in the country, which would have to be prevented if we were to carry out our trust to'posterity. "We have to try to retrieve the damage created during the century of settiement," he said. The problem which faced marginal lands was the buiiding up of the topsoil to bring it to a reasonable state of fertility. It was unfortunate that the Government had followed the lead of the Stabilisation Commission and lifted the subsidy on fertiiiser and thus created a problem not only for the Government itseif but alsq for the country. The farmers had justifiable coinplaints so far as the fertiiiser subsidy was concerned and marginai land -far mers were enFtled to all the assistance chey could get and to cheaper fertilisej*. When the price of fertiiiser yvas. increased a great burd^p, lyaavPlale'i.OT the marginai land f armer and ,even a better price for store cattle did noi make adequate compensation.

After dealing with "the littl'e , worm which was the greatest fertiiiser we know," Mr Langstone was momentarily interrupted by Mr Watts who interjected: "Your'e the only worm who has turned here. " Mr Langstone, smiling said: "So, -the worm will turn."