PINCH OF DROUGHT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 7

PINCH OF DROUGHT

CANTERBURY'S POSITION

RELIEF SOUGHT BY FARMERS

A deputation of Canterbury producers waited oil the Prune Minister (the llight Hon. W. F. Massey) yesterday, to lay beforo him tho serious position in tile province owing to tho drought. Tho members of the deputation were Messrs. C. H. Elisor, president of the executive of tho North Canterbury Farmers' "Union; J. Talbot, president of tho exeoutivo of the South Canterbury Farmers' Union ; A. Scott, Timaru, representing farming interests in South Canterbury; W. T. Robinson, representing the Canterbury A. and P. Association; 0. B. Pemberton, secretary of the A. and P. Association; and L. C. Gardiner, president of the Canterbury Sheep-owners' Union. The deputation was not open to the Press, but later a report was made by the members. To the Prime Minister Mr. Eusor, the first speaker, briefly outlined tho object of the deputation's visit, and asked Mr. Massey's assistance in furthering their object, which was to try and get more shipping relief for Canterbury.- The feed conditions were so bad. he pointed out, that more frozen stock was required to taken away from the different works, in order that killing operations might be carried on without stopping. Otherwise a large amount of stock which was r.ow fat would become store, and be lost for this season.

Mr. Talbot, at considerable length, laid the position in South Canterbury before the Prime Minister, pointing out that the exceptional drought conditions in his province made it necessary to have more shipping space than liad been allotted up to tho present, and unless some immediate relief could be got a large quantity of stock _ would not be shipped this year. Speaking for his own district he said there was no feed to keep stock in condition for verylong. He emphasised the urgency of thecase, making it clear thatttie deputation looked upon the condition in Canterbury as very grave. _ In Lis experience of fifty years farming in Canterbury he could not remember any season when the. farmers wero more sorely in need of relief.

Mr. Scott drew attention to the inevitable economic loss to the farmers, the amount of which would be difficult to estimate, unless the freezing companies of Canterbury were kej>t going. This could only be done by getting shipping relief without delay. He particularly. asked Mr. Massey to use his power to see that what relief was possible should be given. Messrs. Gardiner, Robinson, and Pem" berton explained the position of North Canterbury, and emphasised the point that their mission was one calling for as prompt action as was possible. In replying, the Prime Minister promised to do all that lay in his power to meet the requests of the deputation, but he pointed out that May was the worst month that tho Government had experienced, and he did not expect much relief until the number of ships was increased in June. In any case, he added, he was doing all that could possibly be done to relieve the pressure.

Later the deputation waited on the Overseas Freight Allocation Committee. They pointed out the serious position in which Canterbury farmers are placed in consequence of the unprecedented drought. It was also stated that some farmers had not yet got a single draft of lambs into tho freezing works this season, and most of them had still a large number of fat stock on their farms waiting to bo killed. Further, they stated that most of tho farmers of Canterbury fattened their stock on artificially-grown feed, such as rape and turnips,- and as these crops had been practically a failure this season tlioy were nearly all finished. Unless relief came soon in the form of insulated ships the stock now fat would deteriorate into store condition, and become unfit for export this season.

The committee gave a patient hearing to the deputation, and regretted that it was impossible to make any alteration in the May allocation, but promised, as they were now fully aware of the drought conditions in Canterbury, that they would make as early and as liberal an allocation for June loading as was possible.

The. members of the deputation returned to Christchurch by the evening boat.