SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 91, 27 January 1928, Page 7

SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION

meeting of executive.

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

The executive of the Canterbuiy Sheepowners’ Union met yesterday, the President (Mr R. M. Morten) m The question of taxation of beneficiaries receiving incomes derived from farming operations was discussed, and the need for an alteration m the Statute was recognised. The question was referred to the federation executive with a. request that representations be made by its legal advisei with a view to affording protection againsi double taxation of the widows or dependents of deceased’s farmers. The Canterbury Employers Associa tion wrote asking the union to appoint a delegate to a conference to be convened by the .association to consider the question of subsidiary grants from employers’ associations to the funds-of the P Christchurch Technical College. The secretary was appointed to attend as the union’s representative, and the hi ah value .of the work done by the college received appreciative reference from several speakers. . A member wrote urging the necessity for more adequate protection being given to land holders in cases of trespass. The secretary was instructed to advise that a clause had been inserted in the Stock Act Amendment Act passed last session, making it, an offence, with a liability to a fine of £5, for any person who, without the authority of the occupier, enters upon any private land with dog or gun and disturbs stock thereon. . The Prime Minister wrote regarding the destruction of keas in sanctuaries and national reserves, stating that the Minister of Internal Affairs has authorised the Commissioner of Crown Lands or his servants, acting under his ,written authority, to take or kill kea found within the Mount Cook Reserve and Fiordland national parks. Several members who had carried out tests of sheep-branding fluids submitted for trial by the British Research Association for the woollen and worsted industries reported that in no ease was the branding material legible at the end of a twelve months’ trial on the sheep's back. It was resolved that the results of the several tests be sent to the research station at Leeds, with a view to further research being underA letter was received from a; member drawing attention to the big risk of infection in connection wth cattle tick through the importation. of large numbers of stock from North Island districts to Addington, and asking that some action, should (be taken to give adequate protection to Canterbury stockowners. Tlie matter was left, to the secretary to confer with the btocK Department officials with a view to further precautions being taken should this be found to be necesSa in view of the large number of liceinfected sheep alleged to be brought into the province, it was suggested that dipping should be made compulsory where sheep are brought from the North Island and West Coast districts One member stated that he had been informed that the tick was gradually working its way southward in the North Island, and that unless every care was exercised it would eventually be brought across to' the South Island, resulting in heavy additional expenses to stockowners for clipping, etc. With regard to the supply ot beef to the southern markets from the North Island, it was suggested that beef lor consumption purposes could, perhaps, be sent down by carcase instead ot on the hoof as at present. The experiments being conducted by the Cawthron Institute in connection with the eradication of the blackberry were discussed, and the risk of the use of parasites for this purpose attacking other forms of vegetation was referred to. The secretary stated that the Department had not lost sight of this aspect of the matter, and that he nacl been assured that no action would be taken until alter tlie Departmental officers were fully satisfied with regard to the risk of infecting desirable forms of plant growth. The secretary was instructed to keep in touch with the Institute through the Department, and to obtain, all available data in connection with the experiments. The president reported that MajorJacomb, of the firm of Jaconib and Hoare, wool’brokers, London, had informed him, when discussing the question of tlie branding of sheep, that fat stock could he successfully and legibly branded with ordinary water paint. This material, as it contains a proportion of glue, .is quite satisfactory as a brand for sheep which have ultimately to go through the works, as it will stand'for some months, and is easily scoured under ordinary scouring conditions.- The suggestion, was considered to be a. very valuable one, and members present expressed themselves as satisfied that it would meet the requirements of most stockowners <]eul~ ing in fat stock.