CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1926, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

CREAM CHEQUES 1926-1927

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—l have just returned from a visit to the Kokatahi and Arahura A'alley farms. I have seen tho damage done, by the recent Hood and probably other parts of AA'estland have suffeied in a like manner owing to the wet weather. Crops of hay and turnips are a failure everywhere, and stock is likely to suffer from want of feed in the winter and spring. Dairymen in particular will suffer hardship in August and September when their cows are coming in unless provision is made to counter tho abnormal weather conditions which have prevailed this summer. AA'o have really had no suniniei, hut will have had three winters, last winter, next winter and the intervening period, which is summer bv tbo calendar but winter by tbe weather.

Tbo position is serious, and the question arises, what is to be done? Assistance is being offered even from New Zealand to the unlortunate people who. have suffered by the disastrous fires in Australia.

At Baetahi in the North Island some years ago when many farms were burnt out our Government came to the tanners assistance, so why should we not ask tho Aliuister of Lands, who is due on tho Coast shortly, to provide, cheap money so that settlors who are pre* pared to top-dress then' pastures with iinio and fertilizers, may obtain the necessary finance, . The lime works at Koiteraiigi aitd Boss during the next four months could run a double shift to Keep pace with orders, so that a plentiful supply of grass would he available early in the spring to replace the loss in the crons of hay and turnips. The Progress League and prominent business men of tbe town should lend a sympathetic ear, as the towns are bound to suffer in sympathy with the country when the latter are short. Small sums at a nominal interest spread over n. period of 5 or 6 years would go a long way towards increasing the productivity of AA'est Coast lands. AA'p are now in a transition stage. Mining is at a low ebb, and our export of butter and cheese could be very much increased if our I'ai‘mers had the capital to omplov more labour situ work the land. “Back to the land”, said the lion. A. I>. Alol.eod in Auckland early this month, so when he visits AA'estland shortly, let us see what inducement he is prepared to offer. AA e don’t want the dole and wc are prepared to paV hack the capital borrowed ,in 5 on 6 years, hut we do want cheap money, and we must have it. The best thing that a mail can do

who has lost his hay or turnips is to top-dress with lOcwt ol burnt lime and lOewt of carbonate of lime to the acre right away, and at a later date adding 2cwt or 3cwt of superphosphate per acre. I am. etc.. John Murdoch. Ross,'Ala tell 26th.