West Coast Fanners’ Lime Producing Co, Ltd.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1926, Page 3

West Coast Fanners’ Lime Producing Co, Ltd.

SECRETARY’S REPOLUI. I have the honour to report that a deputation of farmers in this district waited on the Han. A.. I). .McLeod, Minister of Lauds in Hokitika on Wednesday evening last. Mr \\ . 11. Chinn asked the Minister on behalf of Soulll Westland settlers it lie roul l l devise a scheme wlieroov liaekbloek men could obtain a subsidy on the carriage of lime and fertilizers. Men whose farms were not in close proximity to the railways were penalised in having to pay anything up to £1 per ion for tile carriage of goods. Could lie grind a. subsidy on say 1011 tons of lime and fertilizers to llariliari, Wataroa and Waibo Gorge? This concession was not asked for tbe rich tanner but for tlio struggling settler who had taken up a busk farm. In many instances these men were not trained farmers, but Mere carving out a home in the bush, having previously followed various occupations. Diving to our abnormal rainfall, particularly this last summer when most of our farmers lost their winter feed of hay and turnips, it is proving a hardship and likely to prove disastrous to the dairymen when their cows come in during the spring. During the drought on tho East Coast stock Mas railed free to the nearest pasture and at Ruetahi when the country was in flames the Government granted eoncessions, so mby not assist the Most Coast settlers with the means of improving their holdings and increasing prod ue t ion. “Back to the land” said the Hon. Minister recently and the baokbhx 4: settlors reply Mils “Give us a hand.’ The Deteriorated Lauds Act ot 1925. was passed by Parliament last session, which made provision for the relief ot occupiers of certain Crinvn and othci lands in respect of hardship due to the deterioration of such lands or natural lack of productivity. The sum of £100,00.') Mas authorised to meet advances under tin’s heading am! d certain West Coast lands were proclaimed deteriorated lands under the Act, a sum of £5,0-90 at a low rate ot interest would he a boon to many a struggling settler and assist in increasing production.

Mr Morel assured the Minister on behalf of the Directors of the Lime Works at Koiteruugi that they would during the winter months endeavour to reduce the price of lime for topdressing.

The Directors of the Lime Works at Ross have offered during the months of May. June and July to put a special top-dressing mixture on the market which will be, available to non-share-holders as well as shareholders at a reduced price for cash. An advertisement will appear mi all the West Coast papers for the l ext four Saturdays showing a reduction from £lO 15s (3d to £8 10s fid for a 6 ton truck of top-dressing mixture.

By cutting out the cost cf cartage on burnt lime 5s a ton is taken off, another os a ton is allowed for discount and 5s a ton reduction is allowed on carbonate, of lime, cash with order. . The Minister said he appreciated what the Lime -Works were doing to meet the position.. He had been farming for the. last 40 years and was convinced that top-dressing gave better value for the amount of money expended on the land than ploughing, unless one was cropping. He considered it was a mistake to hold too much land and he had disposed of most ot his. He promised to confer with his colleague. the Minister of Agriculture on his"return to Wellington and would f i e t. Mr Secldon know the result ot his I consultation. . \f t er thanking the Minister for a very patient hearing the deputation withdrew. _