Provincial Section

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 8

Provincial Section

FARMERS’ PLIGHT

Fall in Butterfat Prices

PRODUCERS CONCERNED

Dominion Special Service.

Palmerston North, March 16. Held under the auspices of the Dairy Farmers’ Union and the Farmers Union, a meeting of between 70 and 80 farmers was held at Rongotea last night to discuss the position arising out of the sudden fall in the price of butterfat to oid. and 6d. a pound. ~ , ~ Mr. W. H. Gimblett, who presided, said no'one could see a way of steering clear of disaster with butterfat at such a low figure. Farmers were now down and out. The cutting of interest in half had been suggested, but it seemed that even with interest at 3 per cent, some farmers could riot carry on with butterfat at bu. a pound. . . .. Mr. E. G. Beard, chairman of the Rangiotu Dairy Company, said some farmers .would not be receiving anything for their butterfat because all their cheques would go to their mortgagees. Ho.v could dairy'companies finance sup-, pliers with butterfat at (id. a pound? Mr. J. A. McLeavey. president of the Farmers’ Union, declared that the Government should manufacture a £IO,WU,000 credit so that money could be lent to necessitous, hard-working farmers and business people at an interest of, say,. 1 or 2 per cent. This scheme had been tried in other parts of the world, and could be successfully operated in this Dominion. Mr. E. O. Bond regretted the efforts or the Government to place more people on the land to produce more when the country’s markets were shrinking through lack of purchasing power. . The following resolutions were carried: “That the Government take immediate steps to reduce land mortgage interest and introduce a system for a fair, valuatioii of land on a production basis at a price level to be arrived at ; and that an equalisation fund be established. “That Mr. J. Linklater. M.P., be asked to urge the Government to provide for the supervision of rate collecting until Parliament reassembles, the idea being that the House could then review the whole rate position. . . ' “That the acute position of the farmer be brought before the notice of the Government for further immediate relief, and a commisison be appointed to report on any case w-here notice of eviction has been served.”

DISCUSSION BY UNION

State Notes Suggested

Palmerston North, March 16. The resolutions passed at the meeting of farmers at Rongotea last night were considered as remits at this afternoon s meeting of the executive of the Dairy Farmers’ Union. The first resolution, dealing with the reduction of land mortgage interest, the introduction of a fair valuation of land on a production basis, and the institution of an export equalisation fund, was held over until next month’s meeting. •It was explained that the latter proposal in the remit was for the control of export prices by making good years pay for bad years. Mr. J. Boyce thought that the scheme would do well when prices were high. Where could the money be found to start the. scheme? - ■ Mr. E. O. Bond: The Government would have to' start it. 1 Messrs. F. J. Legge and W. G. Short considered that the time had passed when the suggestion could be effective. - ■ The second resolution urging the Government to provide for the supervision of rate collection until the next session of Parliament lapsed. The third resolution, dealing with the eviction of farmers, was passed. . . A resolution was also passed asking the Minister of Finance to. consider the institution of a State note issue.

MID-WEEK CRICKET

Palmerston Results

Palmerston North, March 16. Fine weather prevailed yesterday afternoon for the continuation of the Manawatu Cricket Association’s midweek cricket. Combined Services “A” secured a first innings win over Optimists. Combined Services “A” hit up 145 runs in its first innings, of which Wilson scored 64. Optimists replied with 121 runs. Miller (40 not out) was the highest scorer. Unemployed “B” beat Combined Services“B” by a margin of five points in a one innings match. Unemployed scored 85 runs, and Combined Services 80 runs. Unemployed “A” beat P.D.C. by .seven runs on the first innings. Unemployed hit up 182 runs, Leng (54) and Holden (49) being the highest scorers. P.D.C. replied with 175. runs. The best scorers were Brace (65), Duckworth (39), and Rodgers (38).

WAIRARAPA GAMES

Saturday’s Fixtures Masterton, March 16.. Play in the Wairarapa Cricket Association’s competitions will be continued on Saturday when senior grade matches started last week will be concluded. Set the stiff hurdle of 406 runs the Old Boys’ batsmen will have to produce better form than they have done within recent weeks if they wish to secure a win over the High School team. At the Park Oval last week United scored 281 runs -against Lansdowne. The latter team will continue its first innings on Saturday with 42 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets. Lower grade fixtures for Saturday are as follow:— ' Junior. —Greytown v. Red Star, at Greytown; Oddfellows v. High school, at High School. Third Grade. —Oddfellows v. Technical School, at High School; High School Av. High School B, at High School.

LIFE-SAVING TROPHIES

Palmerston N. Competitions Palmerston North, March 16. The secondary schools’ life-saving competitions were held in the Palmerston North Girls’ High School baths on Tuesday afternoon. The girls’ shield was won by the Palmerston North Girls’ High School, and the boys’ shield by the Palmerston North Technical School. In the latter competition the Palmerston North Boys’ High School was runner-up with a quarter of a point less than the winners. The life-saving competition for the Weston Smith rose bowl was conducted in the municipal baths last night. The trophy was won by the Y.M.C.A. Swimming Club's team with 106} points. The Terrace End boys’ team was second with 106 points..

Acton, once known as the ‘‘laundry” of London, because of the number of laundries it contained, is now developing in many other directions. In pre-War days there were 300 laundries: now there are only 133—but there are 270 factories engaged in other industries, ranging from the making of motor-cars to toffee and lead soldiers.

TROUBLESOME PESTS

Diamond Moth and White Butterfly

FARMERS PERTURBED

Dominion Special Service.

Masterton, March 16. The opinion that the diamond-buck moth was likely to become a greater pest than the white butterfly, was. expressed by several members at a meeting ot the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day. In a letter replying to an inquiry regarding the latter pest, Mr. J. Muggeridge, entomologist at, the Palmerston North llant Reseatcu Station, stated that’ the spread ot the white butterfly had been very rapid, and from the latest information had now reached as far as Auckland. There seemed every reason to suppose that the nsect would prove a serious menace to all cruciferous crops in New Zealand Referring to the liberation of about 24,000 parasites in Hawke s Bay in a effot t to combat the pest, Mr. Muggeridge sai that it was far too early to predict any results. This method ot control was a well established practice, and they could rest assured that no insect would be introduced which was in any way injurious. Reports suggesting the introduction ot wasps were quite erroneous. Mr. S. Freeman, local officer of the Fields Division of the Department ot Agriculture, who attended the meeting, said he believed that the diamond-back moth was a greater pest than the white butterfly. Both the moth and -the butterfly could be ■ very ..effectively dealt with in gardens by spraying with arsenate ot lead, one in fifty. To combat the pests in the fields, it was intended to breed more of the parasites and liberate them in all districts.. o Sir William Perry moved that the Plant Research Station be asked it any of the counter-parasites for the white butterfly could be procured for release in the Wairarapa, and if so, how many, and further, that the Cawthron Institute be asked for a full report on the diamondback moth, and the best means of combating the pest. Sir William observed that he believed that there were a million diamond-back moths to every .white butterfly. The former, he considered, were doing most of the damage at presen . Mr. Freeman observed that it was the larvae of the white butterfly which did the damage. Actually the life of the butterfly was only 24 to 36 hours. The resolution was carried.

PEST’S RAPID DEVELOPMENT Martinborough, March 15. The white butterfly pest.is becoming acute in the Wairarapa district, and vegetable gardens are suffering severely. A S Martinborough resident who makes a study of insectology, including lepirtoptera, stated that he caught a white butterfly, and in order to watch its evolution, enclosed it in a glass' case with some cabbage leaves. In the astonishingly short period of nine hours the butterfly had laid its eggs, the eggs had hatched the grub haft” eaten its fill of the cabbage leaves, changed into its chrysalis stage, and emerged into a full-grown butterfly. Such remarkably rapid development no doubt accounts for the enormous damage done by these pests.

FEILDING SEEKS REMEDY Feilding, March 16. The white butterfly menace was discussed at the annual meeting of the Feilding branch of the Farmers Union last night, when it was decided to wn.e to the Department of Agriculture for in formation and also for supplies of th parasite imported to combat the pest.

RUGBY ACTIVITIES

Gladstone Club’s Officers

Masterton, March 16. A credit of £l5/6/1 was disclosed by the balance-sheet presented at the annual meeting of the Gladstone Rugby football Club. This was considered very satistae l °The following officers were elected - Patron, Mr. W. Jackson; president Mr. E. B. Booth; vice-presidents, R. Cooper, C. Matson. F. Joblim H. H derson. A. Ross, H. King. J. N. btian-, H. Nitz. E. Mason, W. Talnnna. J. Sue; , >N McKay, J. Howard, A. E. Booth. P. Eitom F. y Foreman, Forman, ( Vincent, A. Johnson, J. Johnson, B. W O. Riddell, Henry Booth, I etvj Coope;,, G. Fo’reman N Foreman ’ secretarv and treasurer. Mi. A. D. ivtcixay, auditor. Mr- H. D. Thorpe; delegates to Ru’bv Union, Messrs. A. E. Bootli. 1/-/“ Bootffi and H. D. Thorpe; junior advisory board delegate, Mr.. Thorpe; senior coach, Mr. F. Booth: junior coach, Mr. Ihoip.. It was decided to enter senior and jun ior team/only in the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competitions tins season. Th nnlicv of promoting young players was adopted. ; It is .anticipated that the senior team will play a match against the Mira Jnar senior P fifte C n at Wellington on Easter Saturday.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Wanganui Central Club

Wanganui, March 16. The final carnival o£ the season so far as the Wanganui Central Swimming Club is concerned took place last night before one of the largest crowds recorded at the baths. The Central club defended the Tingey Cup ag«>" st “ C p„' lenge from Gonville, and the Bonner Cup against the Avenue ladies team challenge, retaining the trophies after good contests. Several club championships were also decided. . Results are as follow: —lingcy Cup. Central, 1; Gonville, 2. Won by a yard. Time, 4min. 55 3-ssec. 50 yards intermediate boys’ club championship: K. Welsh, 1; C. Nolan, 2; R. o. Time, 31 3-ssec. Bonner Cup . Centi.il ladies, 1; Victorian Avenue ladies, 2. luu yards men’s club championship: B. Haworth and J. Carde, equal, 1. Time, 63} sec. 50 yards intermediate girls championship : A. Watts, 1; M. Ayson, 2. Time, 37sec. 50 yards junior girls championship: B. Carter, 1; M. V atts, 2; P. Watts, 3. . Polo match : Gonville beat Central by 2 goals to nil. -

SCHOOL SWIMMING

Activities at Feilding

Feilding. March 10. The Manchester Street School held its annual swimming sports on Tuesday afternoon, and the Lytton Street School yesterday afternoon. ... Tom Dewe, primary schools champion, won the senior and junior championships with 30 and 20 points respectively. Eric Neil (8 points) was runner-up in the senior championship, and Norman Green (8 points) was runner-up in the junior competition. Fay Tollan (15. points) won the girls’ senior championship, with I at Percy (14 points) runner-up. The girls junior championship was won by Alethea Raynor with 15 points. June Carmine (8 points) was runner-up. , The boys’ championship at the Lytton Street sports wild won by V. Ferguson (u points) with T. Fowles (5 points) runnerup. The girls’ championship was won by P. Baker (9 points) with V. Hendry (6 points) runner-up.

• CREDIT OF £3OOO

Kiwitea County’s Finance

RATE CUT SUGGESTED

Dominion Special Service.

Feilding, March 16. It was intimated at yesterday’s meeting of the Kiwitea County Council that the current financial year would probably close with a credit balance of £3OOO. In commenting on this statement, the chairman, Cr. L. T. McLean, said the council had collected £BOO more in rates to date than it had done at the same period of last year. However, it was expected that the council would be £lBOO behind in its rate collections for the year. The council was certainly in a healthy position. .. Cr McLean said the question of assisting ratepayers by a reduction in their rates for the coming year would have to be considered. 1

PRIZE-WINNING BLOOMS

Rongotea Flower Show Palmerston North, March 16. The Rongotea Horticultural Society held its annual flower show yesterday afternoon, the display of blooms being one of the best in the district for many years. The following were the winners of the points awards: Dahlias, Mr. J. Tantrum; cut flowers, Mrs. C. A. Leicester; decorative, Miss J. Bower; fruit, Mr. R. O. Gloyn ; vegetables, Miss R. Major; domestice, Miss N. Clare; children’s classes, Miss M. Will. The Watkins Cup for farm produce was won by Mr. R. A. Will.

For having allowed a horse to wander, Harold Charles Montgomery was fined 10/- and costs 10/6 in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. On a similar charge in respect to two head of cattle, T. P. O’Neill was also fined 10/- and costs 10/6.

PLUCKY RESCUE Dive Into River MAN’S TIMELY ACTION Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, March 16. Diving fully clothed into the Wanganui River to-day, T. Lovegrove, jun„ saved the life of Thomas Turnock, aged 15, of Auckland. Turnock had cycled on to the wharf, and when dismounting' overbalanced and fell into the river. His cry for help reached Lovegrove’s ears, and he dived, rescuing Turnock after the latter had gone under once. At the time of the accident the steamer' Kapiti. was, coming in to the wharf, but Captain Johansen noticed the mishap and diverted the ship’s course so as not to hamper the rescue operations. WAIRARAPA BOWLERS Fixtures and Teams Masterton, March 16. The Masterton Park Bowling Club will be represented by Kilgour, Lett, Bell, and Gibson (s.) in the Wairarapa centre’s champion of champions rinks contest, to be played on the Featherston club’s green on Saturday. x The annual match between North and South Wairarapa will be played at Carterton on Saturday. The following Park rinks will be taking part:—Buckley, Pinkney, Braggins. Carr (s.) ; Cumming, Stewart, Staniforth, Finlayson (5.).. Other rinks which will represent the Park cltlb in matches on Saturday are:— Against Carterton, at Park: Drummond, Reader, Kilmister, Mulvey (s.) ; White, Newton, Ackerman, Blewett (s.) ; H.-Ewington, Jenkins, Vincent, Shearer <s.) ; A. Watson, Hawke, McKenzie, Stubbings (s.) ; Finnerty, Strang, Brown, Spackman (s.). Against Carterton Colts, nt Carterton : Wallace, Jobson. Southey, Dixon (s.). ■ According to a balance-sheet adopted at a meeting of delegates of the/Wairarapa Bowling Centre held at Carterton, a debit balance of 10/6 was shown on the centre’s New Year tournament. The result was considered quite satisfactory. It was decided to arrange a match between the Masterton and Park clubs and South Wairarapa, to be played on a Saturday after Easter, weather permitting. Mention was made of the annual Good Friday fixture at Martinborough,. and it was decided to ask each club to send one or more rinks.

FARMERS’ UNION Conference at Masterton Dominion Special Service. Masterton, March 16. The Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union this afternoon decided to hold the annual interprovincial conference of the union at Masterton, probably in the last week in May. It was decided to invite an expression of opinion from the other provinces concerned as to whether the conference should bo a one-day or two-day one. TAIHAPE NEWS Sports Body Meetings Taihape, March 15. The following officials were elected at the annual meeting of the Taihape Women's Golf Club this week:—Secretary and treasurer, Mrs. T. C. Kincaid; club captain, Mrs. R. C. Ongley; executive committee, Mesdames E. M. Forsyth, J. Thompson, and D. Neagle, and Misses McCarten and Sexton; handicapper, Miss S. Carrington; match committee, club captain, secretary, and Mrs. D. Neagle. An interim balance-sheet was presented by the treasurer (Mr. A, W. Bicknell) of the annual show conducted by the Rangitikei A. and P. Association on March 2, at a recent committee meeting. Entry fees totalling £135/3/-, and gates £SI/7/- were the principal receipts. Prize money totalled £23S/5/3. The deficit was £S4/5/l, as compared with last year’s deficit of £125/15/3. The next annual show will be held on March 1, 1934. Following are the results to date of the handicap competitions conducted by the Taihape Tennis Club:—Men’s singles, L. C. Hawk; women’s doubles, Misses E. IVelch and M. Perrett; men’s doubles. F. J. Sexton and H. Darvill; combined doubles, Miss H. Dickinson and F. H. Bray. Taihape Rugby Union officials for the 1933 season are as follow:—-Patron, Mr. A. K. Overton; president, Mr. J. Quirk: vice-presidents, Dr. M. Kronfeld, and Messrs. J. Webb and V. C. Nicholls: executive, Messrs. L. A. Hebberd, A. Caulcutt, and J. McDonald; secretary, Mr. C. L. Mullany; treasurer. Mr. R. Schofield; auditor, Mr. A. M. Ryan; delegates to Wanganui Rugby Union, Messrs. ' J. Quirk and C. L. Mullany: selectors, senior. Mr. C. Murphy; junior and thirds, Messrs. C. IL Webb and L. A. Hebberd. Mr. C. Murphy was nominated as a selector to the Wanganui Rugby Union.