Farmers Discuss Ban On Wool Branding

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 7

Farmers Discuss Ban On Wool Branding

The prohibition of wool branding from October 1, 1965, would cause tremendous inconvenience, perhaps more so in Canterbury than anywhere else in New Zealand, the chairman of the meat and wool section of North Canterbury Federated Farmers (Mr R. E. Hiatt) told the annual meeting of the section. In Canterbury many large drafts of lambs came off the hill country for sale, and were bought in small lots for fattening by farmers all over Canterbury, and some method

of identification was necessary.

The Wool Board was well aware of the problem, and research by the Department of Agriculture for an alternative was being continued. "It makes us realise the necessity for this legislation when we hear of reports such as buyers refusing to attend certain sales or refusing to bid for certain lines, and letters from overseas of the consternation when wool is opened up and found to be heavily contaminated,” Mr Hiatt said.

“I wonder if farmers stop to think what it is costing them and the loss to the country when they apply that brand.”

A remit from the Fernside branch that rams for sale at ram fairs be marked in some way other than by wool branding was referred to the incoming executive of the section.

Members felt that with the ban on brands coming into force next year the move was not necessary and would be of little value. At the end of the conference those present were addressed briefly by Mr D. M. Bruce, a director of the Primary Producers’ Co-opera-tive Society. The following officers were elected:—

Chairman, Mr W. N. Dunlop; vice-chairman, Mr A. F. Wright; delegates to Dominion meat and wool conference, Messrs Dunlop, Wright, J. W. Tinniswood, and R. Oliver; delegates to provincial conference, Messrs Dunlop, Wright, S. M. Wood, and J. C. Ingold.