AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3346, 12 October 1911, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS.

AN INTERESTING REVIEW. THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT (From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 11. . The annual report of the Agricultural Department was presented to Parliament to-day. The Minister, who has made a special study of the meat trade, states that in the early months of this year prices receded, the reason being a disinclination to sell at ruling rates, and the consequent accumulation of stocks. Some holders of New Zealand meat apparently could not immediately clear at a profit, and stored in anticipation of an improved demand; —a doubtful policy, especially with perishable produce. The Argentine people, educated on American principles, allowed their meat to pass automatically into consumption, irrespective of the ruling market values —a policy which enabled l them not only to retain their connection, but to extend it to channels where our stored meat formerly had a connection —palpably a good thing for the Argentine shipper, and a bad one for the New Zealand producer. Increasing competition among freezing concerns in certain sections of the country, he adds, has led to prices practically above a parity of London values being paid, and has, in consequence, curtailed the operations of the C.I.F. buyer. Rumors, he adds, have been freely circulated of late to the effect that the American Meat Trust has been making inquiries in New Zealand with the object of extending its operations to this country, and a close watch is being kept for any signs of the Trust endeavoring to obtain a foothold here. Though there has been a steady advance in the quality of the output from dairy factories, unsatisfactory work has been noticeable in a number of cases, but as the sources of this weakness are known, Mr MacKenzie says “I have every reason to believe that with the assistance of the officers of the Department, these troubles will be rectified. As to the appointment of an expert to supervise shipments arriving at Home he says the official’s duty will be to examine our butter and cheese as it reaches the Home market; to note exactly how it opens out in London, and to provide an authoritative comparison with the grading at this end, and the quality of the produce as it reaches the market. Great benefit should accrue, he says, to the butter and cheese makers of the Dominion, and, through them, to the dairy farmers as the result of this appointment. On the subject of sheep, the Minister remarks that with the in erased attention being paid to long-wool sheep in Australia, the exportation .of stud sheep from New Zealand must increase, both in volume and value. The Flock Book Societies, he adds, have not as yet instituted any system of inspection of sheep when exported, as representative of the pure breeds, and in view of the developing trade with Australia, the* necessity of the inspection of stud sheep becomes very great, as the trade must suffer, and good breeders ,be handicapped if inferior sheep are sold to Australian farmers, as being typical of the pedigree stock of this country.