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Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1921, Page 2

It seems strange witji the value ot lucerne as a fodder so often demonstrated and its virtues so frequently noised abroad, that it is necessary in a stockraising country such as New Zealand to be still shouting the values of lucerne from tin* housetops, and energetic committees engaged in propaganda work endeavouring to stimulate interest in the growing of lucerne, by holding com petitions for which valuable prizes are to be offered. The matter was briefly discussed at the Progress League meeting this week, and it appears that even in Canterbury where conditions are so specially favorable, lucerne growing is not in great favor. Yet time and again we hear wonderful stories of its prolific growth the frequency with which it is cropped and the virtues ot the fo. der plant praised most highly. It is many years now since the Agricultural Department exhibited fhJ plant bore, and extolled Its virtues, but lucerne growing has never been taken up seriously. It is said that there is less demand for lucerne seed here, than any other kind of fodder plant, the demand in point of fact being negligible. A timely proposal was put forward by Mr Butler that experiments in tlie growth of lucerne might he made on the Mont D’Or tailings at Ross. Other similar locations suggest themselves and as the value of the fodder plant has been proved up to the hilt elsewhere, it does seem remarkable that Westland dairy farmers and graziers have never experimented successfully with the plant. The attention now being directed to the subject should arouse interest with those to whom tlie matter is of prime importance. It is the kind of flCed th must be of special value in successful dairying and seeing that the industry is going ahead here so much of Info, it would be expected lucerne growing would be attempting practically on all sides.

WiTir complaints about unemployment growing more and more rile, and Sir | Francis Hell’s urgent wish that the local | laxlies should do their best to provide | work, we again suggest that the Hos- j m'ml Hoard should set about the urgent additions and administrative quarters . required at Westland Hospital. It is j clear from what was indicated at the I’iogrcss League meeting this week, that prices for timber are not likely to decline materially, so that on that ae- j count there is no excuse for delay. The j discussion at the League meeting was instigated because of the bad housing , conditions about Christchurch, and very ;

properly complaints were made against , the authorities for permitting those conditions to continue. The Hospital Committee here when making their ap- ( peals for funds have told the public how bad the housing conditions were at the Hospital —both for patients and staff,.

Gloomy pictures were drawn to justify the appeal for help, and if those statements were true there is not any justification whatever now for holding up the work. Indeed to do so ts an injustice to those who have to reside in the defective quarters, and is a palpable breach of faith with the public. There is ample money in hand to get the work under way. In any ease it will he a long job, and before the end is in sight the public will gladly find more money if satisfied the Board is causing on the work in earnest. To ask for more money now, and lock it up on fixed deposit earning a small interest, when there is such a demand for employment—apart altogether from the necessity of the work—is to indicate that the members do not realise their obligations in this matter. It is high time now the Board set about performaiues. For long years members have been representing to Cabinet Ministers mid the public how necessitous the work is, Mild that being so with the thousands of pounds in hand it is high time something tangible was being done for the patients and the staff in regard to improved quarters.