FREE CARRIAGE OF LIME.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1927, Page 1

FREE CARRIAGE OF LIME.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—Tito continual dropping of water will oven wear away a stone. When the present Minister of Agriculture. Mon. O. J. Ilawken, was appointed to this important departmenthe entered with. a. iilare of trumpets and shouted: “We must- have increased production to offset the pres-' out decline in prices. - ’ The back-; bio ; farmer replied: ".Meet us half way then I'm vour Moses.” | Some two years ago meetings were held in Watarea. Ilarihari and Waitaha, when the .Minister was asked for a subsidy towards the carriage of lime and fertilizers. These men living in the harkblocks have handicaps enough owing to their isolation and reasoned thus: “If our more fortunate farmer friends living alongside the railway get their lime earned free why should not we get some concessions.” As a re-

suit of these meetings a request was sent to Wellington where it met a deaf ear. hut repented prods are having some effect. South Westland readers will he pleased to hear that to-day I received a letter from Air Dnlgleish, Fields’ Instructor, who says: “It is desired that an estimate should he obtained of the quantities of lime supplied to farmers, particularly of those men who are unable to make use of the free carriage of lime on the railways. Would you kindly give me an estimate as near as you can of the quantities of burnt and carbonate of lime supplied to farmers living more than 5 miles

distant.” Mr J. McLean, who is a Director of the Lime Company, sent the following telegram to the Minister of Agriculture: —“ Greatly appreciate your interest and efforts in connection with cart-

ago of lime to farmers, who are handicapped, having to pay heavy cartage ns against those obtaining benefit of railway concession owing to tneir proximity to a railway station. The West Coast farmers will appreciate any assistance you can give thorn as it will materially benefit l the ba deblocks settler and assist Him to cultivate, and develop land, which means increased production for the Dominion generally.” Let us hope that as an outcome of persistent plodding that the day is not far distant when farmers in South Westland will receive certain concessions on the cartage of lime and fertilizers. ] am etc., .JOHN MURDOCH, Secretary. Ross Lime Coy. October sth. 192".