Dairy Farming Interests

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6633, 21 August 1931, Page 8

Dairy Farming Interests

The executive of the Dairy Danners’ Union met in Palmerston North yesterday, whoa thero. were present Messrs. N. Campbell (chairman), J. Boyce, W. B. Paulding, W. P. Bickers, L. Poupard, J. D. Balmcr, W. H. Giniblett, P. J. Legg, P. V. Koehler, B. A. Norman, N. Morcom, H. Dewar, P. J. Small, H. Seifert and J. H. Mason.

“Exporter” Under Tire. The Pol;angina branch wrote in expressing disfavour with the “Exporter” publishing what was described as one-sided articles on Tamworth and Berkshire pigs. “The article on pigs is an insult,” declared Mr Wagstaff. “I understand the pig breeders themselves have written to the editor but the latter has not acknowledged the lottCT The chairman: We have had the same thing before. The question is whether this paper, paid for by the farmers, should bo allowed to boost one breed against another instead of giving U 3 advice of 8 general nature. Mr Boyce moved that the Control Beard bo asked to withhold its subsidy to the Exporter this year. It runs into 'four figures each year. _ The secretary: Are we to give them a reason? . ~ ... _ Mr Boyce: Yes. Tell them the thing is no d— good. . Mr Small: .The paper is kept afloat by the farmers of the Dominion and this sort of thing should net be allowed. , ... Mr Seifert: I wonder why the milk suppliers contribute to it at all. What is the Control Board’s object in giving a subsidy? ... . . The chairman voiced the opinion that the editor was giving his own views instead of these of the producer. To publish an article detrimental to particular breeds of pigs, was wrong. Mr Seifert said he had seen similar articles in the paper and could not agree with the practice. He urged tnat the Control Board bo asked _ to state what benefits the farmers received from the paper. There might be some benefits the producers didn’t knew anything about (laughter). , , . . „ The chairman stated that only two pages were devoted to the producers interests and the other, information the Exporter gave was given every day through the daily press. Mr Mason: Practically all the articles are inspired. Mr. Seifert’s suggestion to write tor information from the Control Board was seconded by Mr Gimblett and adopted* Cost of Manures. The Glen Oroua branch asked for inquiries to be made into the high price paid for manures in the North Island compared with the South Island. t 1 p Poupard explained that super m the South, was £4 10s per ton. and £4 15s in the North. In addition, the Southern farmer received freight and discount concessions which brought the difference to about 17s per ton. Interest and manures were the two biggest outgoings on a farm and in. consequence the matter was one of vital importance. The chairman suggested writing, to the Minister of Agriculture,, asking why there should; be such a difference. Mr Seifert seconded and the executive agreed. Mr Poupard;: If manures were payable at £4 17s 6d in boom times, surely they. ehould be considerably less in these times.

i Lime ia the Gorge. < The suggestion that profitaMo work could he found for unemployed, men by the Government opening up the limo deposits in the Manawatu Gorge, was forwarded by a Woodvill© correspondent. i Mr Koehler: I don’t like it. r 'A member: can pass it on to tne Unemployment Board. . : In answer to a question, the c-hair-man said the Kme content of the rock was very high—something like 95 per cent. , , , Mr Small said the matter had been gone into many years ago when it was discovered that to start the works, would cost a few thousand _ pounds. Lime was not a very expensive commodity now and opening up the Gouge deposits would not cheapen it. Further, he wondered whether unemployed could be expected to have the necesaaiy knowledge to work kilns. It was decided to forward,,the letter 'to the Unemployment Board. Mr Small: To add to the pile that as 'there now. ; Mr Boyce: Put in a pigeon hole. ’ Mr Small: No, on a file to be used when there is money enough to do something. . Butter From Waikato. ..! Trading within the province was urged by the chairman who pointed out that Waikato butters were being imported into Manawatu and sold at lid per lb. Could the farmers produce butter at that price? They could not, and farmers were not doing their duty by allowing this srtate of affairs to continue. Mr 'Campbell said it was largely wrapped up in the problem of transport on the railway. Butter could be brought from Waikato to Palmerston North at the same froigbt as it could from Taihape to Palmerston North. The concession had been in force for several years and Manawatu should wake ut> to the position. Mr Gimblett said the dairy companies of the Manawatu were even lighting each other tooth and nail, so why should they turn round and slate a company in the Waikato? (laughter). “I’m telling you the truth, gentlemen,” added Mr Gimblett. Mr Campbell: Then they are breaking faith. Upkeep of Roads. Highway finances were discussed by the executive. Mr. W. H. Gimblett urged that the users of the Toads should be made to 'pay for them, and he foresaw the day when de-rating must come and money be raised for roads through benzine and tyre tax increases. Mr. Boyce, on the other hand, voiced the opinion that de-rating would be a fine thing for the large landowner, who would effect a saving, but for the rank and file the extra petrol and tyre taxes, which would have to be increased to three or four times the present amount to keep the roads up to their present standard, would come as a greater burden. It was decided to enter a protest against any money raised foT highways being diverted to other uses.

Executive of D.F.TJ. Discuss Problems of Moment

Smaller Parliament The Kopane branch forwarded a remit advocating a reduction in tho number of members of Parliament by 2o per cent. Mr. Morcom said it was considered the Dominion was over-represented in Parliament, but tho reduction should not come from tho country, but rather from tho cities. Personally, he did not agree with a salary reduction, because fewer members would mean more work for them to do. Mr. Boyco advocated a reduction of members on an area basis rather than a population basis. It was absurd to have five or six men representing the city of Wellington and its suburbs. The Kopane branch also advocated getting a definite answer from all candidates at the coming election. Mr. Small contended that Mr. Boyce’s proposal would soon resolvo itself into class legislation. A member: Town versus country. Mr. Small: If areas were extended it would take a millionaire to stand for a country electorate, and in time Parliament would only be a House of financial intorests. A member facetiously suggested the imposition of a penalty in the shape of' salary reductions for every day the House sat over a reasonable time limit. It was decided to hold over further discussion until tho next meeting in order to allow members to give the matter thought. Urban Farm Lands , Tho Farmers’ Union advised that a committee representing various phases of the farming industry had been appointed to deal with rating on urban farm lands. Specific cases were asked for.

These 17111 be forwardod if details are sent in to tho secretary. Weighing of Pigs

In connection with the weighing of pigs and the union’s request that the weights of pigs killed at various works be retained by the meat inspector for one month for the purpose of verification if necessary, tho Director-Generai of Agriculture advised that the actual weighing was not done by the inspector, so that consequently he was not in possession of the recorded weights. The weights as supplied to him at the time of grading would be available iu the books of the company. Mr., Poupard: Now we know where we stand. It has been said that the graders did do the weighing, while the department says they do not. The Fanners’ Union conference has passed a resolution urging that graders should do the weighing. It was decided to ask the department to institute a system under which the pigs would bo weighed by the grader. The department forwarded a Teturn of pigs graded from April 1 to July 27, as follows: Grade A, 14,771; grade B, 6722; percentage A, 684; percentage B, 311. Pure Seeds The Minister of Agriculture advised that while the need for better control of tho sale of seeds was appreciated, it was unlikely that a favourable opportunity would present itself for introducing a bill during the present session. Mr. J. D. Balmer said he had been in communication with tho department and had been informed that a farmer had recourse against the vendor of bad seeds. It seemed the Government was afraid to bring down a bill. All the heads admitted that it was time something was done, and yet they did not do it. Ho knew of three farmers in the Pohangina who had had to plough their mangold crops in because they had proved rubbishy. No farmer wanted to go to law with a seed merchant; it should be the Government’s duty to give protection. Mr. Balmer said he had approached the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce and had been promised that the matter would be taken up by the commercial interests. The Minister . had practically given a promise that the bill would be placed before the House. “They talk about the producers being tho backbone of the country, yet do d little to help us, ’ ’ concluded Mr. Balmer. It was decided to draw tho attention of the Minister to a letter tho union had received from the Director-General of Agriculture, to tho effect that the bill was already drafted.