Restraint In Using DDT Urged On Farmers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29552, 29 June 1961, Page 9

Restraint In Using DDT Urged On Farmers

It was imperative that they impress on members the necessity for control of the use of DDT, said Mr R. E. Hiatt, senior vice-president, at a meeting of the provincial executive of North Canterbury Federated Fanners yesterday Mr J. F. G. Blakely, immediate past-president, had earlier told the meeting that licences had been granted for the importation of DDT and there would be no difficulty about supply. Its use would be governed by regulations which had yet to be brought into force, he said. Mr Blakely was reporting on inquiries he had made after the r-uestion of supplies of DDT had been raised at the previous meeting of the executive.

Mr J. W. Overton, reporting on the Dominion conference of the dairy section of Federated Farmers, said that Mr P. W. Smallfield. Director-Genera! of Agriculture. had spoken in a very alarming manner on the results of the investigations into beef exports to America. Mr Ov-rton said he had thought DDT would no* be available in future, and he had been pleased to hear Mr Blakely say it would be available. Apparently the authorities were going to see that no more than one-third of a fs-m was with DDT at a time. It had been found that it went into da i '-" produce, too. “When Dr. I. J. Chinumgham. assistant Director-

General of Aviculture, addressed' the Dominion meat and wool conference he requested that we impress on oiir members the necessity for control on the use of DDT.” said Mr Hiatt. “Pastures tbodressed W'th DDT must not be grazed for at least four weeks unless ’here has been heavv rath. Three inches of rain has been mentioned." TB hi Cattle

The Dominion conference of the dairy section had bee" told that the New Zealand figure for the incidence of tuberculosis in dairy herds was 10 per "ent., said Mr Overton. He had been amazed to learn it was only .5 per cent in beef cattle. That was based on figures taken out by meat inspectors at meat works. South Island dairy- cows were practically free of tuberculosis, with' the exception of a small ar»a on the West Coast and another small area near Dunedin. The South

Island would be the first area to be free of tuberculosis in cattle. Own Building The executive should have a buiktng of its own. said Mr J. U. McCracken. Members were asked to keep their branches informed, and it was not good enough that only a few members should be able to sit at a table and take notes in the room where meetings were now held. Mr B'ekely said this met--1 ter would be dealt with later in committee. Wool Handling Wool handling should be pushed. Too much wool was going into stores in too rough a condition, said Mr Blakely, when Mr Hiatt had spoken on classes on shearing and wool handling. Mr Hiatt said this matter was uppermost in the minds of the meat and wool sec--1 tion. “We are greatly con- ■ cerned about wool handling ■ and something will be done about it.’’ he said. Paper Bags For Manure He had been told that no hessian bags were being imported because of the cost, said Mr Blakely, reporting on inquiries he made after complaints about the quality of paper bags for fertiliser. Only paper bags would be used for fertiliser from now on and from July 1 these paper bags would be five ply. he said. Co-opted Members Mr D. W. Gray, the only provincial life member of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, and Mr D. H. Butcher. were elected as CoOpted actional inembers of the executive. . New Executive This was the first meeting of the new provincial execui tive and Mr Blakely acted as ■ chairmen in the absence of i the president. Mr A C. The following were appointed to represent the executive on the various organisation* named:— ‘ Manufacturers' Association. Mr J. W. Overton; Canter- . bury Chamber of Commerce, Mr D. H. Butcher; Safety As--1 sociation, Mr J. L. Dillon; Canterbury Progress League, Mr D. W. Gray The secretary. Mr A. E. G. ■ Lyttle, was reappointed to ' nepreeatt the executive on broadcasting matters.

The executive decided to write to Mr G. A. Nutt, of Motukarara. congratulating him on being elected chairman of the Dominion Agriculture section. Outward Bound Movement Support for the Outward Bound movement was expressed by the executive and it will appoint a representative to attend a meeting of interested organisations next month. Branch Railway Hie executive will support the Ellesmere branch in any move to have the Southbridge railway line kept open until a condemned road bridge over the Selwyn river is replaced. New Zealand Paint Complaints were made by members about the quality of New Zealand paint. It was said that exterior paints did not last It was derided to write to the Manufacturers' Association detailing the complaints.