Farm and Station

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 12199, 10 March 1934, Page 12

Farm and Station

OTTAWA AGREEMENT; •

NOT A ‘'SCRAP OF PAPER,”

PLEA BY RECIP.ROC.At TRADE * ' ! FEDERATION.. : ; .

DEFINITION OF. ITS POLICY

(Special .to the. Times.) - ; WELLINGTON, March -3,

In- a statement in defence of " Its policy, the :NiZ. Producers’ and. U.'lv. Manufacturers’ Iteciprocal Trade deration .‘deals with the .privileges find. - obligations under ' the Ottawa agreement. , • “ ' ■" ■' 7 They maintain that' for the privilege of free entry of • New Zealand exports to Great Britain, plu s certain preferential treatment ' under schedule B, given' to New Zealand go do s. New Zealand agrees to remove all revenue tariffs from her Tariff Schedule. These are referred to in Article G arid Article 11. In Article 7 they claim this to be the important clause' in the ; agreement from the British point of view, for in it no tariff shall . he afforded against ■ British imports unless it can be shown that similar goods are being made in New. Zealand,. with reasonable, prospects of success. When, however, the latter condition does exist,. then Clause 8, a clari'-ie which they claim is looked upon by the .New- Zealand manufacturers as the most- important clausehi the agreement, is to be met, bv the Tariff Commission enquiry, which shall amply the neces/ary protection to local industries. They point out that in this clause Britain acknowledges •-'the necessity of protecting the New Zealand industries provided that those New Z'ealand industries are being carried out with reasonable prospects of success, but doe l -, not permit that, tile tariff -shall be of sufficient height as to debar Britain from becoming a. -domci'stic competitor in file New Zealand ninrkrY. The Federation rely upon the. furfc clause of the Ottawa. Agreement for an unrestricted' entry to New Zealand exports info the British market. but they recognise the oualificntions of this clause, as meiiitoned in Schedule A. This refers i.y bntker and other milk products. Tn Schedule A thev point cut t-hat Drith.in promises jdrfinitely' -to review «tho Treaty for-a. period -of three years, and this,. -period will expire on the loth November. 1935.After that date, however, the clause says, if it in in the interests of the British !uroducor to do so, Britain may apply a- ouota or a tariff on New Zealand export*.

Tlie main object of the Eedorntion’s oolicy is, therefore, to tee that New Zealand fullv enri'h-? out afl her obligation--* under the Ottawa Agreement, thus giving the British manufacturer all the privilege* that he 'i s iustlv entitled to. The,.- believe the. goodwill of the British manufacturer toward- New Zealand will safeguard lor all time the Privileges New Zealand now enjoys under the Ottawa. Agreement.

The Federation acknowledges . the great service rendered to Now Zealand by their .delegates. at Ottawa, and they maintain that; this would l>e more freely acknowledged by the ■ commercial r-oinmi-itiHy if the importance of i. was fully understood hv theiu-

T'hey seek , the co-operation of the New Zealand manufacturers to ousist them in . the removal of the tariffs on ail "goods that are to by. Article 7.

They challenge the opinion held iitt many quarters therefore that New Zealand's action .in regard to tariff reductions-.will - n-ct in. Any way influence the British Government • in withholding a quota on New Zealand exports.

They maintain that such an opinion i.i a denial of the existence ot Schedule A, and would tuhri 1 the contract into a farce' by deleting its solo penalty-clause. <• •• In clause 8 they maintain that Britain has fairly acknowledged the importance of ’many New ■Zeai'lanc! industries and believes - that-they.. arc, entitled to protection.- .- ; ; .■■:< ' • The Federation hilly-recognises the great task of the Tariff •-Commission,', and knowing the full responsibility that rests upon them,: they-' beh’eto that the Commiscaon is' carrying out its. arduous task bs speedily a's 'jios-' sihle. .

They challenge the suggestion recently made in the Peeks'that if the quota is the set policy of the' Government, then there is no' .u's’e-' fighting. They refuse to believe ' that either- Great -Britain or New Zealand would so far forget their dignity or duty as to- permit ■ the Otta-. wa Agreement to ' become fa .1 mere “scrap of- paper,” and. the Imp work carried out by the delegates'of .both countries at Ottawa to bg tlirown in the waste-paper basket.' V.

They challenge the suggestion that any Government 'who 1 are endeavor-, trig to raise prices deserves the wholehearted support' of. the community, as they do not believe that this can he done either: by. quota-or tariff. They believe i.t to,be.,infinite-, ly'.more important • to • raise , the standard of living ijn- both, ... conn-, tries, . i.c., by givmg.l/the .-pureTras-ing-power of the people its.--full-value, and not have. it- do’V.alucd .by the operation of exchange,-,' quotas or , tariffs. ’ • ... ... - .

The- Ottawa Agreement, .iai - ' tffefr. opinion, is an instrument to whichall present tariffs must conform, and should bo a guide to the future

(By “RUSTICUS”.)

commercial relationship ; between New Zealand and Great- Britain, and they believe that if given- an opportunity, it' will bring about, a- better understanding between the 'Motherland and this Dominion, without in any way impairing the economic development of -the industries in either country.

DAIRY-FARMING

POTENTIAL WEALTH FROM PIGS

New Zealand, as' the largest ex:porter of dairy produce in the world; has probably greater possibilities than any other country for the development of the pig industry, .and this movement- i s very actively assisted by the- Meat ' Producers’ Board, which for scvoral yoar-s Jins subsidised the Waikato Pig Recording: Club, and this season is also making a grant of ;G4sfi l:o- the Alan-awatu-Oroua Pig Development and Recording Club. Tn coming to this derision, the Mont Board members held the view that these- organisations .should- ultimately-' ho placed on. •a Sound,‘ -'self-supporting basis hy means -of subscriptions from the farmers who receive Ibo benefits from the work. Tlie secretary of the Maunwntu-Omna Club lias informed the board that a membership foe E he'llw charged, and that it i-s hoped to place Dm c’nb on a. more selfsupporting' basis after the first t? months.

The view is o'-nres-ed ‘n flic board’s last annual report that New Zealand, as the largest exporter of rlaiw produce in the world, hn.s the additional advantage that the bu<r of the milk separation R done on the farms. At present the fullest use is not made of the dairy byproducts. A certain amount is fed to young -stock, and to pigs, but there is still a- surplus which should he made greater use of in the feeding of pigs. “’Compared with Denmark.” adds the report, “the dairyman of this Dominion, because of climajtie [advantages arid our wonderful natural resources, has been able to live on the production butter-fat alone, and has almost neglected the potential wealth*' of the pig. Im Denmark, on the. other hand, both industries have been developed side by side until to-day-her exports of pork products exceed nor .butter exports both in volume and value --

Reports on the work of the Mana watu-Orona Club show that demonstrations of weighing and observation of performances of stock frequently leads to alterations in the system of management on the farms concerned. and in some cases tome introduction of improved brooding stock. Farmers are taking more interest in grading, and there are useful gatherings where modern laycut and improved facilities can he inspected. Air. C. AlcAfeekan, of AtassPv College, under the direction of Professor Riddel, has prepared a valuable, survey of the data secured last year which will he of inv port an co • o pig breeders hv showing the relation of milk yield to pig flesh, together with the 1 actor of management. Farm instruction, fcoo trials, demonstrations and informal talks are given, all aiming at improvement in method and the production of good quality carcases suitable for the export’ trade.

LAAIB AIARKET

SOUTnDO'IVN GliADl

The introduction of n Southdown grade in .freezing- works was advocated by Air. D. Jones, chairman of the Aleai Board, speaking t fl visitors ert" {the .North 'Canterbury Fanners’ Co-operative Freezing Co. s works at Kaiapoi. He declared that by the adoption of such a grade the South Island could reach the slightly higher price attained by North Island lamb. “I have often been asked why North Island lamb prices arc above Liioso oi the South Island,” said Air. Jones. “Tt is because over tho 1 whole of the North Island they have got, the Southdown grade. The -only reason the North Island gets Id per lb more is because of the Southdown grade that the South' Island ha s not- got. I would suggest that there is a great opportunity of having the Southdown grade in the Kaiapoi works. According to Britain, there is no lamb in. the world that is wanted more than the .Southdown. If. you want the Southdown grade, you will have to pay for it, but there i s an opportunity of, assisting Farmers and also of improving the standard of quality as tfar as meat is concerned.’'

DISEASE IN LITTER

AN ENGLISH AIYSTERY

A mystery outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Norfolk was refarred to at a meeting of the Agricultural Committee of Norfolk County Council. . A ‘Suh-committeo reported on precautions taken to stop the spread of tho disease. The outbreak, the v recalled, occurred in pigs. Air. AVI AA’right said that probably the outbreak wa® unparalleled. It .was a ease of pig's -dying under their mother. It was reported as tnvine fever, hut when the inspector calno ho notified it as foot-and-mouth disease. The extraordinary part of the case was that tho mother was'found to be free from disease and the pigs wore so ; young that' they' had fed from no other source than tho

toother. It seemed-strange to them, but they had to accept tvliat tho ox* ports said. Mr. J. Alston agreed that ' it seemed a. peculiar care. Ho supposed there was no doubt about it s hoi nig foot-and-moittli (disease. 'lt seemed almost, inexplicable ! to him that little pigs that had never ted on anything but their mother should got footjnud-mouth ’ disease and the sow' not.

Mr. Wright: It is one'of the mysteries that experts can hardly nn•ierstand. We wore told it was possible. Wo questioned jit. and were informed that -young’ animals Anil been known to taka the disease in (he early stages of life although the dam has not bad it. Mr. H. Betts remarked that it was stated that in all probability if the sow had lived a. few. days it would have developed the disease.

PROSPECTS FOB WOOL

THE FUTURE OR PRICES. Surveying the wool market on Jan- • uary 16 at the tim'd of the opening of the first London series of sales for the year.., H. Dawson, Sons and Co., Ltd 1 ., said : C-W d - r The interval has been exciting, and strenuous : a strong covering movement prior to the Christmas holiday period laid the foundation for a meteoric rise in values during the .opening. days of the New Tear. Yorkshire and Germany have been the keenest hovers. The slight mid-December recession in the colonial, markets was wiped 1 out overn'ght, and the onening of the first Australian and Cape auctions for 1031 registered a full 10 per cent, advance.

No large accession of fresh business has come to manufacturers on the new price level. The advance of sixpence a. pound in tops, up to the region of 3/6 has not vet boon passed on by spinners, nor freely made bv topmakers. Small talk in Bradford ■lias been heard to suggest- that the shortage of wool exists most keenly among those who have boon covering their commitments.

CLEARANCE OF CLIPS. The Australian clip lias disappeared in miraculous fashion, and the figures to December 31 show that 400.000 hales less than the previous year remain to be sold. Three-quar-ters of a. million bales will he sold during the next two months, by which time the clip will have virtually been distributed. The marketing of the South African wools lias been delaved; nevertheless the estimated decline in production of IB per cent, is likely +o he fulfilled. The recent jump in values has gone hand-in-mouth with 1 units to buv at best, and it remains tn ho proved whether the new lev-el is justified even by the smaller production. The merino shearings altogether will he 700, COp hales below tli P record of last year, but a million bales higher tli an the average of 10 to 16 vears ago. The worfl! “’shortage” lias been used freely, hut the lessen-ed,-production of merinos is almost equivalent to the haleage of crossbreds reckoned in clean wool, that had been accumulated in South America, New Zealand, and consuming centres owing to the low price. The killings of sheep during the past year in- New Zealand are about one-third loss than the previous year, with lambs practically unchanged, which would seem to hold out prospects of a. slightly higher clip during the coming season.

The surplus of old clip wool is being absorbed promptly, and the feature of recent weeks has been the startling advance in medium grades. The keenest demand seems to emanate from the hosiery trade, and is inspired by tho necessity for making goods at a fixed price. Stocks of exceptionally cheap crossbreds have now disappeared, and any further adanco is bound to stimulate a search for other raw material with which to adulterate wool. OUTLOOK FOR PRICES The -comparatively low basis ruling for the best grades of cotton from the Empire are reported to have brought new inquiries from French spinners who haye been using wool. A further .reduction- in rayon prices brings that commodity below good botany yarn and within striking distance of fine crossbreds. Raw silk is down by 4 J- a- pound compared with six months ago, which may explain the fact that Japan was not quite so keen to acquire wool in Australia during the closing weeks of the year. The clearance of stocks during the summer from Yorkshire to U.S.A. laid the foundation for a strong upward movement. Fine crossbreds

nlso have been shipped to Boston during the autumn from South America and a .portion of this can definitely be traced to fears of currency depreciation. Stocks of wool in bond arethree times larger than a year ago. Although consumption has increased, the N..R..A. Code restrictions hav 0 ultimately worked toward a slackening of mill activity, and the immediate outlook is doubtful. On the present exchange rates a handsome profit appears attractive and; enables wools still in bond to bo sold to Europe at reasosnable figures. These offerings coincide with heavy arrivals from overseas and the full strain and peak of the current season will he felt during the next few months. Nevertheless, money is cheap and financial facilities are available, and if confidence is retained tho trade should readily absorb the purchases made to date.

Wool is quite capable of reaching further heights, hut values at the moment appear to have discounted the best features in a healthy situation and some little time may elapse before the new level proves to bo workable throughout the industry.

! PRODUCTION OF MILK. INTERESTING INFORMATION* From a speech by a. British scientist wo take the following: “ Referring to the inheritance of the total yield of milk, I will not weary you with all the - details, hut will endeav-

our to give some of the results. The most useful way in which the subject might he approached is to deal with selection, of a dairy Beast. First -of all Jet usi consider the purchaso -of a mature cow. In this case you have the definito records of the cow To go upon. For a constructive breeder to buy a dairy cow without knowing how much milk she is capable of giving is, to put it mildly, rather foolish. Undoubtedly conformation is an indication of the amount,, of milk, which' she can give hut it is not a reliablo, indication. The chief value of conformation is to be able to judge , the general health of the cow ‘arid and ability to live a long life. “As regards heifers, there is nothing in their conformation which can he taken as an. indication of their milk producing capacity. Wp are thus thrown hack upon the pedigree. Pedigree, in conjunction with milk records-, is of undoubted, value.' The parents aro of primary’ importance. Of the two grand dams in the pedigree, particular emphasis should he .laid upon the productive qualifies of the dam of the sire. To have wonderful producing great grant-parents while great grandparents and P ar r ents are only mediocre ,is of no value whatsoever.

“Then there conies, the hull.- Most people 'like to bet on a certainty. The only thing approaching a certainty in the selection of a dairy bull is a proven sire, where his inherited qualities may be judged by the productivity of his daughterly A hull who has left his daughters giving milk above the average antT'also more milk than their dams is indeed a valuable animal. This is roailly the best guide to the purchase of heifers that should be sired by a bull that -lias proved himself good. In the selection of a young hull, particular attention should be paid to the milk production of his dam. “The great thing to remember about the inheritance of productive qualities n our live stock is t-hatf animals inherit potentialities and not completed structures.”

HOW POLLED HEREFORD?? CAME.

INTER ESHNG SURVEY. Polled Herefords are of later origin that the polled Shorthorns, and did not- attract- notice until 1889. As in the Shorthorn, one sectoin is- made up of so-called Single "Standard Polled Herefords arising in various ways, but not from “sports.” Single Standards are therefore highgradc Hereforcls, but not purebred pedigreed. Tiie origin of the two main lines of Single Standard Herefords is interesting ; one line emerges from Kansas in United States, America, and the other from Ontario, Canada. In ISB9 a Kansas rancher noticed a bull calf among his cattle, polled, hut with perfect Hereford markings. The calf’s dam was a, Hereford-Short-horn cross, three Hereford to one of Shorthorn. His sire was doubtful, but was certainly one of two Hereford bulls This calf, named '‘.Discovery.’’ when mated with horned Hereford cows, sired many hornless calves, and these bred together constituted by ISB9 a- small herd- of highgrade Hereford polls. Their exhibition at Omaha attracted attention and stimulated the creation of the purebred or douhlo standard strain.

The other main line of Single Standards has an equally interestfSig but Tory different origin. Mr Boycl, of Bobcaygeon, Ontario, in 1593 mated two purebred AberdeenAngus bulls each with five purebred Hereford cows. Nine calves were Produced, mostly black with white face and: polled t One black pollcd-calf, with white marking precisely as in his Hereford mother, was retained. Ho was named “ Cross Patch”, and in 189 a and 1896 served thirteen purebred Hereford cows each year. Twenty-three calves were born. Nine were black and white and fourteen were red and white. Two bull calves and three heifers from the red and whites were retained. As regards horn, the horned condition is inherited in a recessive manner. That is to say, the mating of a horned individual, say, a Shorthorn, with one of a puro polled breed, e.g., an Aberdeen Angus, produces calves that are all completely polled, or, at any rate; with only “sours.” The polled condition is dominant. If two of these are mated together, then on the average three out of every four calves so produced will be polled and one will be horned. This indicates that the parents, although they were polled wore both “impure” for the polled condition. Of their three polled offspring, two are also impure ®ntl one is pure. Their horned calf is also pure for the horned condition, and mated to other horned cattle will prouduco only horned calves. Those are the view of Sir Robert Greig and Mr A. D. Buchanan-Smith, expressed in the “Journal’’ of the Scottish Board of Agriculture.