SHEEP OWNERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20788, 23 February 1933, Page 3

SHEEP OWNERS' UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVI The exccntive of the Canterbui Sheep Owners' Cnion met vesterda Present; Messrs E. Hay (president), i 1 f "n' ?• Morten ' Mu ray, . 0. Gardiner, It. Bethel], J ] Craci-oft Wiison, Sholto Douglas, an ' • ri SS- Apologies were receive from Messrs p. Petei . x c< Eobinso] W. M. Acton-Adams, H, Acton-Adam Murray, and D. Deans. Letters were recoived from seven aiiteibury freezing companies, repb I ">g to a request for reductions in free: ing and other charges, advising that 'J *\ a d been made for this seaso one-tenth of a penny a pound. Tlr meant a reduction of 3d a head o rnn^ a^C l ai nbs and 6d a head o . e V e , or wether carcases. It wa V?rap, a,lS +i fc ' K1 'eduction made w: iargei than any possible saving i overhead expenses, taking into accoua every department of the works, incluc ing the fellmongery and wool wasliin departtnents. Although the actual rate tor dealing with slipea and washed wot were not altered, they were indirectl reduced when the general scale of free: ing charges was adjusted. The redut tion made in the freezing charges reprt sented substantially more than the totr savings in overhead found to be po: siblo m all departments, including th fellmongery. The letters were received, and th consideration given by the various coir panies was acknowledged by severs speakers. The secretary quoted figure con ® rme d the statements made. .The Christchurch Woolbrokers' Assc ciation wrote as to reductions ii charges for handling and reclassinj wool at the stores. The assoeiatio: stated that reductions had b6cn mad and were now being given effect to o o per cent, and 2} per cent., the seeorii reduction of 2& per cent, coming int effect during the present month. Th association agreed to give the matte further consideration at its next meet ing. The letter was received and tli association thanked for the infonnatioi supplied. Distemper Vaccine. The Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Ministe Agriculture, wrote ns to tlie possi bility of procuring vaccine, virus, an< anti-serum for the treatment of dog. against distemper. The Minister ex pressed concern at tho heavy mortality nmong valuable sheep dogs* owing t( the epidemic of distemper this year, an( stated that his Department had been ii constant communication with researcl workers in England in respect to tin progress 'made jn the preparation of j virus that would retain its potency fo: a sufficient time to enable it to be oJ value, for New Zealand dog owners Supplies had been sent out and ro turned after being kept under tlic con ditiona arranged, but the position was not yet sufficiently advanced to ensur( that the virus, could be relied upon tc remain potent for a .long enough time t6 give sufficient assurance of safety. ' . It was agreed .that nothing could be dono until further progress had beer made in research in Great Britain, and disappointment. wa3 expressed at the unduly optimistic report which had been published in Great Britain by the Field Distemper Council, which led owners tc believe: that the position was much mori favourable than was actually tho case. The secretary reported that the Dehorning of Cattle Bill had been reported back from the Agricultural Committee of the House of Representatives with amendments designed to meet anomalies pointed out in tho first draft. It was tjiggested that an additional clause should be 'inserted giving power to-the inspector of stock in any district to deal with special cases where hardship could be shown to exist. The matter waß left in the hands oE the secretary to malte the necessary representations. A letter was received, saying it was possible that there would be an alteration to the Valuation of Land Act, by which the protective clause would be rescinded. It was pointed out that should the Act be amended* as suggested, that the protection of landholders against arbitrary land valuations for taxation purposes would disappear, and property-owners generally would be entirely at the mercy of Departmental officials without recourse. The letter was roceived tCnd referred to the Federation Executive for the necessary action, tho socrotary explaining what had been dona in this connexion to date. Wool Growers' Council. The Australian Wool Growers' Council wrote advising that at a special urgent meeting of the council hold at Melbourne on January 19, the recom* mondations of the Commonwealth Wool Enquiry Committee with regard to the prohibition or restriction of export of wool and the fixation of a minimum reserve price for wool for export, were unanimously disapproved, the following resolution being carried: "That .the Australian Wool Growers' Council disagrees with the recommendation that the Federal Government take power to prohibit the export of wool below a Minimum reserve price, belioving that the policy of meeting the market is the best means of restoring confidence and assuring an ultimate appreciation of values,''; The resolutions carried by the council were unanimously endorsed and the secretary was instructed to advise the council of the position. The question of a rebate of tho recent additional petrol tax where tractors a'ro used for primary production was raised xiid the matter left in the hands of tho secretary for reference to the Federation Executive, with a view to repre sentations being made.