FARMING PROBLEMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9096, 15 July 1915, Page 4

FARMING PROBLEMS

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE BUSINESS DONE AT CONCLUDING SESSION. The second annual conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture was brought to an end in tho Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr W. Perry (Masterton) presiding. A report was received from the committee set up as a result of the passing of the following remit on Tuesday; —‘‘That the conference consider the desirability of vesting some advisory power of control of Agricultural Departmental affairs in local committees, to be appointed for that purpose.” The committee recommended unanimously ‘‘that local agricultural committees" he appointed by county councils throughout tho Dominion, and that tho Department of Agriculture be asked to make use of the services of such committees in, experimental and other agricultural instructional and development work. —The recommendation was adopted, and sent to the Board of Agriculture for favourable consideration. LIGHT RAILWAYS. A paper on “Light Railways" was read by Mr F ; W. Furkert, A.M.I.C.E. (inspecting electrical engineer, Department of Public Works). He said that if tho people would put up with, the trifling inconvenience' of transhipping themselves and their goods, many light lines of much service could he constructed- He recommended consideration of the Belgian system of light lines, saying that there a secondary Government department had charge of light lines, and i when it was decided to construct one. the cost was shared by the Government and the local bodies interested. Shares were subscribed and discharged in, ninety years; rates were fixed by a national council, and tenders were invited for the operation of the railways on a percentage basis. Mr Furkert was thanked for his address, and the following remit was adopted'“That the conference approves the passing of the Local. Railways Act, 1914, and would urge local bodies to assist the farmers to secure light railway communication in order to develop the hack country districts.” A. AND P. ASSOCIATIONS. Manawatu introduced the following motion: “That the conference, having affirmed the principle, it be now an instruction to the executive to draft a scheme for investing the conference with the powers of a governing body for all affiliated A- and P- Associations." After discussion an amendment was carried to the effect that Manawatu be 'asked to formulate a scheme in accordance with their views, to be submitted to the executive, and, if necessary, to the conference next year. The following remits were passed: “That it he a suggestion to the A. and P. Associations to offer prizes for groups of stud sheep the progeny of one sire.”: —(Romney Marsh Sheepbreeders’ Association.) “ That all stock when being paraded at agricultural shows he ' permitted only fib carry the ribbons or awards that have been obtained at the show in which they are being paraded.’’— (Waikato.) r “That the Government be requested to provide .facilities for the ship,ment of prize pens of export lambs tp London, when snob, pens are to be judged and reported upon for show prizes."—: (Dannevirke.) PASTORAL LANDSMr W. D.Hunt (Southland) moved: “That whereas a very large proportion of the pastoral lands of the South Island of New Zealand, including much of the national endowment . lands let for, pastoral purposes under Part VI. of the Land Act, 1908, and amendments thereof, have deteriorated very much indeed in stock-carrying capacity since they were first occupied, and whereas none of these lands have improved in stock-carrying capacity since their first occupation, now this conference is of opinion.: (a) That under proper and judicious management ’ these pastoral lands could not only be brought hack to their original carrying capacity, but they can be made much m’oro productive than ever- (b) That the bringing about of this improvement will require the expenditure of a. large amount ot. capital and time, (c) That the occupiers of these lands cannot be induced to. make the necessary outlay of time and money unless they can see a reasonable assurance of being rewarded for their efforts and outlay, (d) That the only tenure that will give this assurance is the freehold, (e) That the Government bo urged- to introduce legislation enabling the land to be disposed of as freehold under suitable conditions and restrictions.” Tho mover said .that the total area of the pastoral lands in tho Dominion was 10,877,000 acres, bringing in art annual rental of £80,797. In the South Island tho area of such lands was 10,437,000 acres, bringing in a rental of £75,241. The total productive area of the South Island was 28,000,000 acres, and the pastoral lands made up two-fifths of this. The character of the country covered by the pastoral lands was hilly and dry, and sheep did well on it. The 'cause of the deterioration was the increase of rabbits and overstocking. The country had been, eaten out, and the average rental was now Ifd per acre, representing a 5 per cent, return on a capital value of 2s lid per acre. The cause of this state of affairs was the present tenure, which penalised a man for improving his lease. The result was that every tenant tried to get all he could out of the land. If he improved it, the Lands Department, as a result of agitation, would subdivide it. The remedy was to destroy the rabbits, to sow grasses, and to let the country rest for a period of years- Considerable capital was required. The man who had improved his land was not granted nearly enough for these improvements by the Valuation Department, if the freehold were given, in fifteen years the rates and taxes for such lands would bring in more revenue to the State than tho present rents, rates, and taxes combined, and tho prosperity of the South Island would increase considerably. The remit was carried unanimously. GAME LAWS. The Auckland delegates* moved: — “That the game laws be discussed, in the direction of agriculturists taking more interest in amending the game laws, and asserting the necessity for the protection of landowners from trespass by sportsmen, who because they hold a game license, claim that such .permits them to shoot- on private property;. the fine for trespass-un-der these circumstances should be siib-, stantial, the present nominal fine being no protection in preventing an offence being repeated. That the game r

laws include a clause permitting, a landowner who decides not to shoot on his own prpptrty to transfer his right to shoot to any one other person without any endorsement by an acclimatisation society, and that a ranger or inspector appointed by an acclimatisation society, in the course of his duties (by a clause in the same laws) bo no* permitted, to enter on private property with dog and gun.” Several delegates gave doleful accounts of their experiences with shootists, who had in their zeal, shot tamo ducks, as welt as wild, and who had shot colonies of native birds, such as pukako, ; which farmers had tried to preserve.—The motion was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The -undermentioned remits were passed:—‘‘That the time- has arrived when pure seeds associations should be formed in the various agricultural districts of the Dominion.” (Masterton.) “That this conference approves the principle of school children .being on couraged to collect grass, and other seeds, and where possible to grow them as well, and that the proposals covereo by an article in the Auckland J7ews',’ of June JOth, be sent to the Board of Agriculture, with a recommendation that it be favourably considered and that steps be taken to induce the boards of education and A. and P. associations to give effect to the suggestion.” “That, with the object of improving the stamina of the blood horses of New Zealand, the Racing Conference bo urged to make conditions that programmes contain .a greater number ol long-distance races than at present, and that the minimum weight of 6st 71b be increased.” (Masterton.) “That the Railway Department be asked to provide insulated trucks' during the summer months for the carnage of pigs on one day a week where necessary.” (Wairarapa. and East Coast.) On behalf of Sir James Wilson, Mr J. C. N. Grigg moved:—“That realising that an adequate supply of timber is necessary for the future requirements of the Dominion, and that- an area of from 500,000 to 700,000 acres should be under forest to enable a portion to be cut annually, this conference Urges the Government to set aside a suitable area of poor land, as an inalienable reserve for growing timber.” The mover remarked that in 60 years timber will be at a tremendous price. The motion was carried. Notice of a motion to the effect that in future the president should be elected at the conclusion of the conference, was given by Mr A. Hunter. The election of the executive resulted/as follows:—North island: Messrs A. Conway, J. G. Rutherford. G. Hunter, fl. Morrison,, B. Campbell and H. Booth; South Island; Messrs H. V. Pulton, J. A. Hall, H. H. Knign. W. B. Parkinson, V. G. Wright and J; Carmichael. The conference concluded with votes of thanks'to the chair and the press.