IRRIGATION SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 9

IRRIGATION SCHEME

MANIOTOTO AND UPPER CLUTHA

REPLY FROM MR SEMPLE

SYMPATHETIC BUT NOT ENCOURAGING

The following is the reply received by the Otago Harbour Board from Mr R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, in connection with a proposal to inaugurate an irrigation scheme for Maniototo and the Upper Clutha. A deputation from the board and a number of other local bodies waited on the Minister when he was in Dunedin in connection with this matter, and he suggested that a written report should be forwarded to him.

" With reference to your representations in connection with the Maniototo and Upper Clutha irrigation schemes, 1 wish to explain that while (as I think you will be aware) I am strongly in favour of irrigation and fully appreciate the benefits it confers, there are one or two points which must not be overlooked when considering the cpnstruclion of new schemes such as these. First, even if the Maniototo and Upper Clutha irrigation schemes were undertaken under the most favourable circumstances it would take at least three years to develop them to full production. It is obvious therefore that their prosecution would be extremely unlikely to assist the Dominion's war effort, which demands immediate increased production. Secondly, under war conditions the requisite plant and materials, representing approximately 40 per cent, of the total cost, .would be unobtainable. Thirdly, the large amount which would be involved in the purchase of imported materials would still further embarrass the exchange position and, if ordered, would deprive consumers of immediate necessities to a greater extent than at present. Fourthly, my department's depleted staff of engineers, surveyors and skilled workmen is required for completing works already in hand, many of them of more pressing necessity than long-range irrigation schemes. As a matter of fact, even if the Government did make funds available for a commencement with either the Maniototo or Upper Clutha irrigation schemes, it would be quite impossible to divert sufficient staff and machinery to make a start, and that position, for obvious reasons, is likely to become aggravated rather than eased. You will have gathered from the foregoing that the prospects of a favourable reply to your representations are at this juncture far from encouraging." Mr F. E. Tyson: Very illuminating. The chairman (Mr J. B. Waters) said that it did not seem likely that they would get any immediate action in the matter. They had had. however, a duty to the board and other bodies to make the representations they had. Mr R. S. Thompson moved that the letter be received. They, 0 f course, regretted that there was little prospect of the scheme being undertaken, at any rate in the meantime. He thought that their chairman should be thanked for the excellent report he had compiled for the Minister. The chairman said that he had to thank the secretary of the board (Mr J. Renton) and the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce for the assistance they had given him in compiling the report. The letter was received.