N.Z. LIVE-STOCK EMBARGO

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 11

N.Z. LIVE-STOCK EMBARGO

INDIGNATION EXPRESSED IN SCOTLAND BRITISH GOVERNMENT ASKED TO RETALIATE Cpeom oce owe coerebpondmx.) LONDON, January 7. The policy of the New Zealand Government in prohibiting the import of pedigree live stock from the United Kingdom was criticised at a meeting of the Keith branch of the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland this week, and a resolution was passed calling on the British Government to impose a restriction on the imports of chilled beef from New Zealand as a retaliatory measure. Major Wilson, a former president of the branch, in submitting the motion, said it was most unfair that New Zealand should be allowed to send into the United Kingdom huge quantities of chilled beef and mutton, and yet impose an embargo on the importation of pedigree cattle from Britain. They should have a square deal from New Zealand. He moved that, in view of the refusal of New Zealand to remove the restrictions, which have been in force for some years against the importation of pedigree cattle from Britain, being the only Dominion or colony maintaining such restrictions: and of the numbers of pedigree cattle being imported by New Zealand from other sources, His Majesty’s Government be asked by the National Farmers’ Union to take into consideration restricting the imports of chilled beef from New Zealand. The motion was adopted unanimously, and copies were sent to the area executive of the union and the local member of Parliament, Sir Edmund Findlay.

FARM OF THE FUTURE GUAY’S ELEGY MECHANISED (Gray’s Elegy "Mechanised,” after noting a reference to "the Ford Estate at Boreham, Essex, where all farming operations are carried out by mechanical power. Not one animal is seen on this farm, which might be aptly termed the “Farm of the Future.’—By “Lucio,” in the “Manchester Guardian.”)

The hooter howls the time tor knocking off. The snorting lank slogs slowly oer the lea; O’er bruis-ed earth the tractor leaves its trough. As homo the garage man proceeds for tea, Now fades the petrol pump as darkness flops, And solemn stillness soothes the tarmac night. Save where the aeroplane (for spraying crops) Droning descends from its last evening flight.

No lowing herd with distant message The drowsy dusk of petrol-scented eve; , Only a squeal from someone s fourwheel brakes Which need the adjustment they should oft receive. . No cowman drives the cattle to their shed. ' No maiden bustles forth to feed the hens; . There are no pigs or horses to be tea. There are no sheep in any last year's pens.

The urgent tiall of exhaust-laden morn Sees much ado with spanner, shaft, and crank; The “cattle” which this later farm adorn . . Stand like a row of taxis on their rank. The boast of Royal Show and Smithfield stock. The pride of pedigree in sires and Alike must take th* inevitable knock; The path of progress leads to tanks and gears.

So, let’s rejoice that, under yonder elm, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep, .. For. could they rise and see their former realm. They might be ruder still with curses deep.

“The best memorial I have ever seen,” is how Mr R. Oldrey, a Tas* manian visitor, described the construction at Kirwee in memory of Colonel de Renzie Brett, the inventor of the Canterbury stock water-race system. The idea of the memorial bridging the strong body of water upon which stock in the lower country are so dependent appealed to the visitor as a very appropriate inspiration.

The present is probably one of , the “quickest” harvests recorded in Canterbury. The long spell of dry, warm weather, without more than a light shower break, has allowed Operations to continue on most farms almost uninterruptedly, and there is now very little wheat to be seen standing. Another cause of the expeditious conclusion of the work is the greater use Of the header. Stocks do not come into the picture with the header, and therefore the extended harvest which is generally unavoidable in showery weather has been substantially reduced. Sheep are now to be seen on stubble which, in the past, would have carried stocks for a fortnight or more, according to the season.

As a Result of the new award for Workers engaged in the freezing industry, and rising costs generally, advances in charges have been made by the works operating in Hawke’s Bay. The advance amounts to ,05d per 10. of the meat killed at the Workg. Up till the change the charge for killing lambs has been ,65d pet lb. In this case, therefore, the rise represents an advance of 13 per cent. The percentage of advance in charges for other types of livestock handled at the works varies according lo the charges pre-