THEFTS FROM FARMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 9

THEFTS FROM FARMS.

WOOL AND.LIVE STOCK. SUGGESTED LEVY FOR REWARDS A proposal to create a fund to enable the offering of a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of persons found stealing wool and live stock from farms ivas discussed by the Wellington central provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at a meeting at Marton yesterday. The president (Mr Lloyd Hammond) stated that the matter had been discussed by the Dominion execu-1 tive of the union as well as by the Sheepowners’ Federation, both of which bodies took a serious view' of the position. The Police Department had been consulted and their view of the problem was that the reported thefts were the work of farmers. This conclusion was arrived at from ail investigation of the suggestion that owners of motor lorries were involved, that is, registered carriers.- It appeared to the police that such persons could not be concerned in the business since they would have the utmost difficulty in readily disposing of their ill gotten gains. Mr J. B. S. Dudding suggested that branches should agree to a levy of 6d a member on their capitation until a substantial fund lvas created to enable the province to offer a hig reward. The trouble, considered Mr J. H. Mason, was that the police had noth-’ ing to work on. A theft might be reported, but it w-as difficult to follow the matter up. He had received a suggestion from a stock inspector which might prove effective in tracing sheep if it were adopted. The scheme involved a definite sex mark, plus a district mark, both on one ear of the sheep, and then the owner’s mark on the other ear. If this were universally applied sheep could be instantly recognised. Mr A. J. Harris considered that the only way to put the stealing down was to set a watch and catch the culprits. The offer of a reward would help, but it was necessary to catch the thieves in the business. He had waited for two years l>efore he was successful in catching the persons in volved in thefts from his place. Though agreeing that the earmarking proposal appeared to be a sound suggestion, Mr F. C. Jurgens did not think the levy would be) agreed to by dairy farmers.

The point could be overcome, stated Mr A. Howard, by including live stock, hides and wool. Dairy farmers were not immune from thefts, and to make a general provision that the reward would be payable for information respecting the theft of live stock generally would meet their position.

On the motion of Messrs Dtfdding and A. Campbell, the meeting approved of the idea of the levy, and it was further agreed to bring the matter before the next meeting of the group provincial delegates. Mr J. H. Mason voted against the proposal.