COW POPULATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25319, 28 September 1945, Page 4

COW POPULATION

INCREASE PBEDICTED MORE YOUNG STOCK NEEDED "It is probable that the cow population for tl.ie 19-15-16 season will show an increase of from <"50,000 to 40,000, as compared with the 1944-45 season," said the chairman, Mr W. E. Hale, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Co., Ltd., yesterday. "This increase is small in terms of what the industry really requires to revert to pre-war Humes, and the new season will have to be very favourable to enable dairy farmers to maintain the increased production secured last sea-

The decrease of 29.(XH) cows killed at all j New Zealand incut works ami abattoirs for the year ended June 30, 11143. compared with the previous year, represented to some extent Hie efforts of dairy farmers to increase the cow population by retaining cows which would otherwise have been culled. Kather more, heifer calves were saved last year. "The drift in cow population winch has taken place over the last few years as a result of inadequate labour on farms and lack of encouragement to farmers to rear more heifer calves must not lie allowed to continue," -Mr Hale said. "Increased numbers of young stock must be reared to build up the, deficiency in our dairy herds. The present shortage is the result of the short-term policy which has been followed. To ensure the maintenance of the dairy industry on a sound basis, its problems must always be approached from the long-term point or view." Referring to the company's killings of exportable meat for the year, Mr Hale said the figures showed a record for sheep and lambs an increase for cattle, and reductions or (i'Jii I for pigs, IHO 1 for vealers, and 25,7 d for bobby calves. , , "While, the reduction in vealer and bobby calf killings is pleasing, rather than otherwise, as it indicates that more have been carried on to heavier weights and for replenishment of dairy herds, the continue! reduction in pig killings is to be regretted. The number of pigs killed during the past season was about only half the number we killed in pre-war years Many dairy farmers having little time lo spare for the care of pigs, and the shortage and high cost of supplementary feeding material, are two factors which have combined to restrict pig production during the war. For economic reasons and to assist in overcoming the serious world food shortage, pig-raising and fattening should be encouraged by every means possible." . Although climatic conditions were favourable to the attainment of quality during the year, when a higher percentage of carcases was graded prime, some credit was due to farmers. Mr Hale continued. The maintenance of quality in flocks and herds was very necessary, as the time was fast approaching when the standards of quality of all exports would again be a considerable factor in determining New Zealand's place on the British and other markets. The shortage of suitable and efficient labour, both skilled ami unskilled, created many difficulties during the year, but an improvement in the coming season was indicated. Mr Halo paid a tribute to the company's staff. The directors' recommendation that a dividend of s''? per cent be paid was adopted, and the two retiring directors, Messrs J. W. McAulay and J. S. Thomas, were re-elected unopposed.

GEORGE COURT AND SONS NET PROFIT OF £20,317 Net, profit of George Court and Sous, Ltd., for the year ended July 10, was i' 20,31 , after making full provision for taxation and depreciation. The directors recommend a dividend of Hi per cent, which will absorb X" 15,(too. and the balance of the profit. £">.'ll7. will be used to increase the carry forward to £llO, compared with .€ 1 «».">,<>ll brought in. Sales during the year constituted a record, according to the directors' report, but the reduction of selling margins by the Price Tribunal resulted in gross profits increasing in a lower proportion, the increase for the past year being £5040. Gross profit on trading for the year was t; 178,820. and discounts, interest and sundry profits yielded € I'J.O.'i'i, a total of tint.7s2. Expenses, excluding provision for taxation of £51,037. and depreciation at £,"<545 amounted to £ I 11,753. The capital of Hie company consists of 150.000 fully paid shares of £1 each. Other liabilities are creditors and staff bonus fund, 1105,321, taxation reserve. 1'53,1 I'J. and general reserve, t"J7,IO'J. Assets of the company consist of land, buildings and plant, J? 18-1 ,051, stock in trade and goods in transit, £175,305. debtors £3l.filo bank and cash balances, £37.S!»'l, and war loan, £32,000. The balancesheet lota! is £'li!l,,

Formerly a private company, George Court and Sons, Ltd.. has recently been re-registered as a public company, and application has been made for listing on the Stock Exchange.

MALAYAN RUBBER LITTLE ENEMY INTERFERENCE "It appears that the rubber plantations of Southern Malaya have suffered little from the Japanese," said a radio announcer speaking from Singapore last night. "Reports that they had cut down at least 100,000 acres of rubber to produce food crops appear to be an exaggeration." A British correspondent who made a 700-mile journey by car in some of the best-known, high-yielding states in Southern Malaya, said that not once during the journey did he see a single rubber tree that had been touched for the past three years. This failure on the part of the Japanese to gather some of the richest of their Malayan prize might, the correspondent thought, be explained by the fact that Japan obtained considerable quantities of rubber from the conquered areas nearer the homeland.. One such area was French Indo-China. As shipping had always been important to Japan, the shorter shipping run from Saigon would be most important compared with Singapore. The Malayan tin industry had not beec so fortunate. It was doubtful, however, if the output exceeded more than 10,000 tons throughout the Japanese regime. Before, the occupation 100,000 tons annually was being turned out from the rich soil.

COUNTRY BULL FAIRS PUKEKOHE AND FRANKLIN (0.C.) PUKEKOHE, Thursday More than 200 bulls of all breeds came forward at Alfred Buckland and Son's annual sale at, Pukekohe this week. There was a large attendance of buyers, bidding being very keen for all good Quality bulls and a total clearance was made, good prices ruling throughout. The top price, 52 guineas, was secured for a good two-year-old pedigree Jersey sold on behalf of Mr J. B. Parker, of Pokeno. Other good two-year-old pedigree Jerseys made from .'JOgns to -llgns; four and five-year-old pedigree Jerseys. 15gns to 20gns; best yearlings, 'JOgns to 30gns; other yearlings. JOgns to ISgns; best grade Jersey herd, 20gns to 28gns; good, 12gns to ISgns; best grade yearlings, sSgns to 2-lgns; good, 12gns to lOgns; small, sgns to logns; registered pedigree Ayrshires. 20gns to 2-lgns; grade, Isgns to 20gns; two-year-old ;>edigree Shorthorns, l lgns to Kigns; yearlings, lOgns to 15gn.s; grade yearling Shorthorns, lOgns to t.'igns; aged and poor-conditioned bulls, ogns to Sgns. At the Franklin Pedigree Jersey Breeders' annual bull sale at Pukekohe, 87 lots were sold for 25)08 guineas, an average of over 33 guineas. The top price was 100 guineas paid by Mr R. L. McDonald, of Waipipi, for Abbeville Royal Joseph, a yearling offered on account of Madame M. J. de Giiise-Koiis-sel, of Mangere. The next highest was DO guineas paid by Messrs Butte and Stephens for the three-year-old Collision Eleanor's Noble offered on. behalf of Mr R. Waterhouse, of Otahuhu. other prices ranged from 15gns to 75gns. Most of the bulls came forward in good condition and bidding was spirited. The sale was conducted by Alfred Burkland and Sons, Ltd.. in conlunclion with the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd.

AYRSHIRES AT WHANGAREI (0.C.) WHANGAREt, Thursday The first cattle show and sale to be conducted by the recently-formed Northland Ayrshire Breeders' Club and held at the farm of Mr H. \V. James, Whangarei yesterday, attracted a good attendance of buyers. The judging of the entries resulted:—Bulls: D. M. Walker's (Waikiekle) High wood Beau King. 1; Ilighwood Battle Dress, 2; and Highwood Beau I,eon, 3. Two-year-olds: H. W. .Tames Puke FTami dn Barry, I; D. W. Bodle's (Whangarei) Glendoune Trojan, 2; and Glendoune Troubadour, 3. The only successful exhibitor in the class for yearling heifers was Mr 11. N. Kerr Davis (Matakolie). whose heifers took all three prizes. The average price for bulls was 31 guineas and for heifers 20 guineas. The highest price of the sale was pajd by Mr R. H. Harris (Horeke) for Hie four-year-old champion bull Highland Winning Post, which was sold for 15 guineas. The reserve champion, Mr IT. AY. .Limes' Puke Haini dn Barry, went for 38 guineas to G V. P. Evans, of Kaitaia.

MINING YIELD firry River.—Fortnight ended September ftr.5,3 oz, 21(1,051 yds,, '_>(!."> hours. REDUCED MARINE RISKS Further reductions have been made in marine war risk rates and an amended schedule has been received by Auckland insurance offices by cablegram from the Institute of London Underwriters. The alterations to the schedule of war rates, which is effective on and after September 24, are as follows. the previous rates in parentheses:— Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. —To and from; United Kingdom, Northern Ireland. 1-5 per cent ('/» per cent). Australia and New Zealand.—To and from: Egypt. Turkey, Red Sea, Aden, Mediterranean (excluding fireece which remains at per cent), Africa (excluding Mediterranean). Madagascar, Mauritius. Seychelles and Reunion direct .or transhipping East and South Africa. South America. Atlantic and Pacific. West Indies, 1 -f> ner cent (V A per cent): Burma. per cent (% per cent); Dutch Fast Indies. Malaya, Philippines and adjacent islands. '/„ per cent ('/, per cent). Australia. New Zealand. Pacific Islands and Fiii direct or via Australia.—To and from: Persian fiulf. India, Ceylon, 1-5 per cent (V* per cent). ' Australia, Tasmania—To and from: New Zealand, 1-10 per cent (% per cent); Pacific I*land«, 1-5 per cent per cent).