FOOD FOR THE CITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 4, 5 July 1939, Page 6

FOOD FOR THE CITY

GARDEN PRODUCE

HUTT-OHAU PROBLEM

SCHEME CRITICISED

While appreciating the Government's desire to meet housing needs, the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening expressed concern at "the proposal to use market gardening areas in the Hutt Valley for housing purposes and to acquire dairying land in the Ohau district for market gardens, and recommended the Government to investigate alternative schemes such as the opening up of the Tawa Flat area or the Wainui-o-mata valley. During the discussion attention was drawn to the serious effect \he Government's proposal was likely to have on the milk and food requirements of the city of Wellington.

"I want to draw attention to the effect which this housing scheme :s going to have on the food supply of Wellington," said Mr. R. H. Nimmo in! moving the motion. "As a result of the proposal to establish market gardens in the Kuku district, the Kuku dairy factory is going to be deprived of the product of 700 cows. That in itself is a very serious matter. But the most serious aspect is that Wellington is going to be deprived of its kitchen garden. We are -gSing to be deprived of the services of the most fertile market garden, area in New Zealand. We all commend the desire of the Government to provide houses for the people, but I do question the wisdom of a policy that is going to deprive the Capital City of a market garden area for which there is* no substitute. The suggested area near Ohau will be no substitute for the original. I suggest that the \ Government should investigate alternative schemes. There are difficulties arising now which perhaps were never anticipated. I know a market gardener who says that under no circumstances will he go to Ohau and there are others who say the same. The effect is going to be serious." In seconding the motion, Mr. J. H. Meyer said that the possibilities uf using other areas for housing purposes had not been exhausted. MILK FOR THE CITY. Mr. M..F. Luckie said that one of. the'most.'serious aspects of the matter was that the needs of Wellington in the matter of :a supply of milk were growing almost daily. The position had been accentuated by the development of the Hutt Valley as a residential area, and development that was taking dairy production out of the valley and forcing the City Council to go .further and further out for its milk. Mr. P. E. Pattrick suggested that when representations were being made to the Government a suggestion should be put forward that the Department of Agriculture and the Health Department should be aisked for their opinion on the Governments proposal. The Health Department should be asked whether it was in the interests of public health that the Housing Department should be granted concessions over land used for market gardening. He; felt satisfied that they could anticipate what the answer would be. A point that had-.to: be considered was| that the land in the Hutt Valley that' it was proposed to. take'was damp. That was no ; good for housing purposes, but it was. excellent for market gardening. • The president (Captain S. Holm) expressed doubt whether the chamber should embark on the matter. It was doubtful whether in, say, another twenty years they would be able, to hold the land which it was proposed to -take. In other countries milk and vegetables had to be carried to the main cities by train; Mr. Nimmo pointed out that there were other areas available for hous- '. ing without using the areas required for market gardening. : ' '. "WHY NOT THE TOWN BELT?" Mr. W. H. Hindle: What about the Town Belt? Why can't we use the : iTown Belt for housing? With all re- " spect for Mr. Luckie . '. Mr. Luckie: Why respect for me? I . have advocated for years what you are advocating. .... j Mr. Hindle: I am delighted to hear , it. I think it's a crying shame that . Wellington should be forced out for miles and miles to secure land for housing when we have acres and acres of land lying idle. A member: They provide a breathing space. Mr. Hindle: A breathing space! A breathing space for broom and gorse, that's all. It is the proper place for houses.

T*he motion was carried. I A qviestion was asked as to whejther the City Council was concerning "itself with the position.

Mr. Luckie: The City Council, no doubt, will take the matter up. Representations have already been made by the Mayor in regard to the market gardens, and no doubt something will be heard about the milk supply aspect tomorrow, when the milk committee is to meet.