SURPLUS WETHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18349, 13 September 1921, Page 8

SURPLUS WETHERS

QUESTION DISCUSSED BY FARMERS. *5 (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, September 12. At tho instigation of a number of branches of tho Farmers’ Union in South Otago a conference of delegates was held in tho Clutha County Chambers, Balcluthu, on Saturday to consider and discuss the position in regard to tho surplus of wethers and tho effect on tho low prices of mutton, in the yards.

Mr John Christie, on being voted to the chair, explained the reasons for calling the meeting. There were a largo number of prime wethers throughout the district, which unless disposed of by some means would only hang on the farmers’ hands at a loss, or be placed for sale in the yards and so reduce values. It had been suggested , that the surplus might be disposed of by freezing, and he understood that the South Otago Freezing Company was willing to open the works provided a guarantee of--10,000 sheep was given. Wool was low and if wethers dropped another half-crown, as was very possible, the situation for growers would bo bad. I,otters were received from the secretaries of the Lawrence. Tapanui, and Clydevale branches intimating in effect that up to 5000 wethers were available in the event of the works opening. Mr A. Mathieson, representing Armours, Ltd., was in attendance, and addressed ; the meeting on the position, stating that there wore about 3000. wethers available in Central Otago, and the growers there had asked him to attend the meeting and see what could be done for them. They were willing to send their sheep to the South Otago works if they opened. The Chairman said that the South Otago Freezing Company would not buy, but contended that it local exporters would give the growers 3d or 3|d the growers could do just as well and even better by exporting on their own behalf.

General discussion ensued, in which it was the unanimous opinion that unless something were done to relieve the situation the outlook for the farmers would indeed bo bad. It was eventually resolved that the South Otago Freezing Company be asked to reopen the works as soon as possible, as there seemed well over 10,000 wethers available, and it was decided to urge farmers holding wethers to send* at least a proportion of their holding to' the works, and to communicate as early as possible with the company as to how many they were prepared to send.