PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19302, 15 April 1926, Page 13

PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

COST OF PRODUCTION. DETAILS TO BE OBTAINED. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. At the last meeting of the Board of Agriculturo held in Wellington the Hon. 0. J. Eawken, who at ono time was a member of the board, took the opportunity of discussing with tho board matters which are now actively engaging the attention of the Government and of tho agricultural community. On behalf of tho board, the president extended to Mr. Hawken its congratulations upon his assumption of the portfolio of Agriculture, and said he felt sure that tho cordial relationship which had always existed between the board and his predecessors would be continued. The Minister thanked, the board for its congratulations and good wishes. He intimated that he valued very much the work the board had done in the past and he said he would bo seeking its assistance and advice in the solution of tha problems with which he would have to deal as Minister in charge of the Agricultural Department. After tho Minister had withdrawn tho board proceeded to deal with tho matters upon the agenda paper. Tho president brought before the board a memorandum which ho had prepared dealing with the necessity lor securing acurato information as to the cost of production of wool, better and cheese and other primary products, in order that the position of the producers might be better understood and that data would be available to enable producers to meet unwarranted assertions as to the profits that were being made by those engaged in the various primary industries. Mr. A. H. Cockayne, director of the fields division, indicated that his branch was already working along the lines outlined by the president, as it was realised that if the instructional service was to carry out its duties properly it must have accurate data as to the cost of the production of all classes of produce. / • "■ The board submitted certain suggestions and approved of the liiSes upon which the department's investigations were being conducted. A proposed draft Fertilisers Bill, to replace the Act now in operation was considered in detail and approved with minor amendments. __ It was suggested that the proposals should later be discussed with farmers' organisations and with the fertiliser trade. The board decided to recommend that the Rabbit Nuisance Act be again consolidated, and tho board approved of the proposals for the amendment of certain provisions of tha Act. It was agreed that, in view of the serious nature of foot and mouth disease and the great would ariso should it find ixs way to the* Dominion, the time had not arrived for withdrawing the present restrictions, but that consideration should now fee given to the regulations dealing with the importation of seeds from the tJnited States of America. The dehorning of cattle was further considered and the board decided to report to the Minister that the time had arrived when a bill should bo brouhgt in to make it compulsory, except in the case of stud and pedigree cattle.