Forum And Aginum

Exciting Prospect

The prospect of a maize processing plant being established in Gisborne is exciting to say the least.

The proposition under consideration at present is a maize-starch factory, owned by the farmers on a co-operative basis, and a complex of smaller companies, with private investors, making 40 different modified products such as glucose, cornflour, and adhesives.

Nationally, the scheme appears to be a winner. Requiring a capital outlay of about $2,400,000, the plant would save the country $1,500,000 on imports annually.

Locally the plant would provide work for 71 persons, income for maize-growers, and incentive for farmers to develop and crop land which is at present not being fully utilised. In view of the present prices for wool and dairy products, farmers could well find maize a more profitable use for their land.

The plant would require 23,000 tons of maize annually, or double the present output of the district. This additional quantity would have to come from increased yields, greater local acreage, and neighbouring districts.

Turbott Plan Inactivity

The recent visit to Gisborne of Mr H. A. Turbott has revitalised local thinking on the Turbott Plan, and with it a fair amount of criticism has been levelled at the City Council for its apparent inactivity.

The question is simple. Do we provide the essential services for our Own community first, or do we beautify and establish holiday facilities mainly to attract outside holiday makers. While the profits of tourism are indisputable, so are the profits of industry, full employment, and contented residents.

The council has largely taken the latter course, and is channelling the bulk of its financial resources into providing essential services: street sealing, sewer and water reticulation, and the establishment of an adequate water supply. Among other things, it has recently overcome the problem of sewerage disposal, a task yet to be faced by many of our "more beautiful" sister cities.

However, the council is not altogether neglecting the Turbott Plan, and is at present concentrating on less expensive but long term beautification with the planting of trees. Last year it planted about 3000 trees, and this year the figure will be in the vicinity of 4000.

Farmers Give

A pat on the back to the Rotary Club and district farmers who have almost completed a quota contribution towards the building of one of the Halls of Residence at Massey University, Palmerston North.

Rotary organised the appeal, to which its own members and farmers generally contributed as a recognition of the important work that Massey can do in the future in the higher education of rural youth.

(Pic shows the new Student Centre at Massey).