THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20450, 3 July 1928, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

By Rustictjs.

Items of Interest to those engaged i with a view to their publication in 2 hey should be addressed to “Buati The Wool Market. In' Australia the first of the new clip from the Queensland districts should now be coming in. The entire Commonwealth clip is expected to be larger than in last season. New Zealand’s clip is certain again to show an increase with the increase of 1,352,220 in the flocks. Taking an average of 50 fleeces to the bale, the increased wool production should exceed 27,000 bales. In its Wool Review for 1927 the National Association of Wool Manufacturers of America says, with regard to 'the domestic wool clip, that, “according to the estimate made by officials of the United States Department of Agriculture, the total product of shorn wool in 1927 was 278,037,0001 b, and of pulled wool 1 49,100,0001 b, or a total of 327,137,0001 b. ; This is an increase of 16,000,0001 b over the estimate made by them in 1926. The , probability is that the current season’s clip will show a further increase. There are the clips from South Africa and the South American republics to be taken into account. On the whole, it seems that more wool will be available to the trade this year than in any of the past two or three years. Consumption of Wool. With regard to consumption, Messrs H. Dawson and Co., in their May wool circular, state that the resistance of merchants to an advance, or even a partial advance on cloths, is difficult to explain, considering the startling rise in raw material; for merino wools have shown fully 20 per cent., and crossbred wools 30 to 40 per cent, appreciation on last spring season’s rates. The attitude naturally seems . inexplicable to the producer, especially when he finds that retail profits are so substantia], as indicated by the leading stores and distributors. Meanwhile, the ■ manufacture is now being forced into a position of stolid indifference as to raw | material movements, until either cloth ! is dearer or wool is much cheaper. The latter eventuality appears to be a somewhat remote possibility in the present state of supplies. Any hope in this direction must, at any rate, be deferred until the prospects for next season are more clearly defined; but even it a largely increased clip should be likely, the consuming markets cannot be fully relieved until the end of the year. Holders of stocks in the consuming markets do not appear to be anxious, and from every centre the report is confirmed that wool is still passing steadily into consumption. Employment in Yorkshire shows some improvement, especially in Bradford and the Huddersfield worsted section. It is also good in Scotland and the West of England generally, but in the Yorkshire 1 woollen trade it is not so good. In the United States of America market conditions have not been satisfactory, but the latest reports are a little brighter. Stocks of foreign wools are extremely low, but consumers and dealers are at present interested in the purchase of their domestic clip. Angora Rabbits for Profit. Though the question of breeding Angora rabbits for their wool has as yet not even reached a definite experimental stage, this class of live stock raising lias received close attention in Great Britain and on the Continent, and great success has attended the exploitation of this class of production. It has been discussed in New Zealand at different times in the past five years with more or less enthusiasm, But no extensive move has been made in the direction of commencing farming on these lines until very recently. An indication of progress, however, can be found in the publication this month (review copy just to hand) of “Angora Wool Rabbits for Profit in New Zealand and Australia.” written by Sir Arthur Sainsbury, F.R.H.S. feditor of the New Zealand Smallholder). This book, which is obtainable from the publishers (the Brett Publishing Com pany, Auckland) or the office of the journal mentioned above (4s 3d posted), deals exhaustively with the possibilities of the industry from the point of view of local smallholders, and contains a fund of valuable and encouraging information in respect to methods and results in other countries. It appears that the food supply for these animals, which are creatures of captivity, can all be home-grown. English revenue figures indicate that each rabbit can return £1 per annum at the rate, of 3Cs per lb of high-grade wool, allowing for a lOoz clip per animal per annum. The rabbit pest is in no danger of aggravation since the Angora would perisa if liberated. The market is a good one, and the minimum carrying capacity of land has been fixed at 300 rabbits for five acres, or 1000 for 15 acres. The commercial value of the wool is considerable, and the cost of production is comparatively nil. An Order-in-Council.has been granted by the Governor-General permitting of the immediate importation of profitable British strains, so that there is little to prevent the industry forging ahead. Those interested should read Mr Salisbury’s book. It can be relied upon to fan mild interest into keen enthusiasm. Dairy Produce Markets. There is further improvement in the quotations for New Zealand salted butter. Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., in their dairy produce circular, dated May 16, remark that the production in the northern hemisphere is an uncertain question, as it is considerably influenced by weather conditions. They state that prices have fluctuated, but only to the extent of a decline of. about 4s per cwt in the value of Australian and New Zealand, which fall has been recovered by an advance. With but moderate imports in sight, and unfavourable weather reported to he curtailing production at present in Denmark and other parts of Europe, the demand for butter from Germany has been stimulated. Trade has been unevent- | ful. and the future must be a matter of conjecture. “ Opinions and forecasts are various,” it is stated, “ but we have the positive experience of the past few months, that the retail equivalent of cur- : l ent wholesale prices is as high as the ! public can at present afford, so that i materially higher prices can hardly be i expected to be maintained unless sunI plies become restricted from some cause lat present unseen.” With respect to I cheese, the firm reports that the (Janaj dian season is practically. over, but the effect of competition from that quarter has not at any time of the year had the important bearing that was natural when Canadian shipments were of imi portant dimensions. The supplies of im--1 ported cheese of the Cheddar variety i just now are almost limited to New Zea- ; land. Imports are, however, sufficient 1 to provide for normal requirements, and I Unt being so, prices are remarkably j satisfactory, and it will be recognised 1 that they are maintained by importers I with difficulty. j South American Meat Exports. i , The New Zealand Meat i Producers’ doard has' received a cablegram 1 'from its representative at Buenos- Aires, South America, advising the following shipments to the United Kingdom for the fortnight ended June 21, 1928, from Argentine and Uruguay: 277.250 quarters chilled beef, i 1570 quarters frozen beef, 69,132 carcasses frozen mutton, 46,732 carcasses frozen lamb. The quantity shipped to the Continent of Europe during the same period was as follows: —13,646 quarters frozen beef, 2550 carcasses frozen mutton, 251 carcasses frozen lamb. Dairy Factory Managers. A scheme for the formation of a Dominion- federation of_ dairy factory managers is to be considered at a conference to-be held in Wellington at the end of July. Destroying Blackberry. A Government reward running into live figures awaits the person who discovers a means of eradicating blackberry. Knowledge of a method of destroying blackberry ami other weeds was claimed by a man seeking the position of noxious weeds inspector at Glen Eden, whose application was before the Town Board (reports the Auckland Herald). The applicant stated if ho ;obtniued the position and put his method into operation there be no

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

In agricultural and pastoral pnrsnitsb these columns, will be welcomed* i cus,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin. weeds within 12 miles of Auckland after three years. “He is putting up a great proposition,” said the chairman, Mr W. H. Shepherd, “ and I would like to hear more regarding it.” It was decided to write asking tor further particulars. New Zealand Frozen Meat. According to the weekly quotations furnished by the Imported Meat Trade Association, Incorporated, the movements in prices last week were few, and such fluctuations as were recorded were downwards. Light weight first quality New Zealand mutton was Jd lower at 7id. North Island light-weight mutton at 7.{d was Jd lower and ewe mutton also was j(d lower at skl. Light and mediumweight Canterbury lambs, also North Island lambs, were each id lower. New Zealand beef, ox hinds at fid, were id higher; all other descriptions of New Zealand frozen meat were unchanged. The export of both mutton and lamb in the coming season should show some improvement in quantity owing to the increase in the flocks, and for the sum" reason the output of sheepskins should show expansion. Safeguards Against Foot-and-mouth Disease. A strict quarantine against the animals of all the world, except Canada and New Zealand, and a guarded entry from these countries only, are among the features of the Australian safeguards against foot-and-mouth disease, recommended by the Graziers’ Federal Council of Australia. The council, recoqimends that,no animal, should be introduced from any country other than Canada or New Zealand, and then only provided it was free from the disease, and that it could be proved that it had never been affected with or in contact with animals affected with the disease. The recommendations covered the importation of live stock and the litter, fodder, clothing, feeding utensils, or any appliances associated in any way with the importation. On a motion from South Australia, the council decided to ask the Federal Ministry to prohibit the further entry of Alsatian dogs into Australia. A further resolution expressed concern at the increase in the number of these dogs in the Commonwealth. JUVENILE AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. WORK IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. CHALLENGE SHIELD OFFERED. ENGLISH FIRM’S GIFT. The Department of Agriculture has received notice of the presentation by an English firm of dairy produce buyers and brokers, of a handsome challenge shield for competition among the schools participating in the Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs in New Zealand. The gift was offered to the Department of Agriculture by the firm’s New Zealand representative (Mr G. H. Buckridge) in a letter which read as follows: — “On behalf of my principals—Messrs Henry A. Lane and Co., Ltd., of London, with the object of encouraging interest in the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement, I have pleasure- in presenting to the Department of Agriculture a challenge shield, for competition amongst the schools taking part each year in the Boys’ -and Girls’ Agricultural Club’s various competitions. The conditions under which the shield is presented are as follow: —(1) The shield is to be the property of the Department of Agriculture as a perpetual challenge shield, to be awarded each year to the school the pupils from which gain the most points during the year in the various competitions that are run, each year, for the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs throughout New Zealand, both in the actual competitions themselves, and at those run in connection with the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs at the A. and P. and winter shows. “ (2) The shield to be held by the school winning it each year, or until won by another school, and a photograph of the shield will be presented each year to the winning school.’ “ (3) Points to count for the shield to be awarded as under:—(a) For _the percentage of children that are eligible in each school actually taking part in the competitions, and at the A. and P. and winter shows. (b) For points gained by each school in the various competitions, as under: —(I) At the actual competitions: Championships Ist, 2nd, 3rd, points 3,2, 1. Groups, Ist, 2nd, 3rd; points 3, 2, 1. (2) At A. and P. shows: Championships, Ist, 2nd, 3rd; points 3,2, 1. Classes, Ist, 2nd, Sri; points, 3,2, 1. (3) At winter shows: Championships Ist, 2nd, 3rd; points 3,2, 1. Groups, Ist, 2nd, 3rd; points 3,2, 1. Classes Ist, 2nd, 3rd; points 3,2, 1.” In view of this, the most strenuous efforts should be made to consolidate the work that has already been done in Otago by Mr R. B. Tennent (Department of Agriculture), the Farmers’ Union, and the Otago Expansion League in respect to the juvenile agricultural club movement. Some clubs are already in existence, and the work they are accomplishing should prove a sufficient inducement for teachers and others interested in other districts to start the ball rolling. Boys’ and girls’ clubs in the North Island, particularly in the Taranaki-Wa-nganuj provincial districts have been firmly established for many years, and under the guidance of departmental officers and keenly interested teachers, the young agriculturalists have attained to an amazingly high standard of production in the small plots they till. Two or three years ago Otago was brought into the limelight in this respect when the Outram School won Dominion honours, one proud youth being adjudged the champion boy root-grower of New Zealand. Since then there has been little of note to report in the way of results, though much good work has been done in a quiet way.

FINANCING THE FARMER. BRITISH AND DOMINION METHODS. ENGLAND’S CREDITS BILL. TWOFOLD NEEDS OF INDUSTRY. Tt is a singular fact that in almost every country the primary producers are suffering from financial difficulties, and in most countries the Governments are making special efforts to finance the farmers (says the Mercantile Gazette). Compared with pre-war years primary products are higher, hut they arc not as high relatively as the post-war prices of services and of manufactures. It is the disparity between the two price levels that is affecting the farmers. In Britain the importation of products from countries where taxation and other charges are not nearly as high as in Britain is affecting the British producers, and in other countries while most of the manufacturing industries are sheltered, the farmer is obliged to sell in the open market where he can receive no protection. In every country the farmer is receiving financial : 'assistance. In the United States the schemes of assistance arc elaborate and generous, and yet the farmers are demanding further strong help. In New Zealand short and long-term credits have been introduced, and whether this is an effective remedy for the ills from which the primary producers suffer time alone can tell. In Britain the Government has decided upon helping the farming industry, and a few weeks ago short and long-term Bills were introduced into the House o' Commons. Agriculture was an : ndustry carried on almost entirely by small capitalists depending on the resources and administration of one

man, and for that reason it bad been loft out of modern developments and largely ignored in the framing of our uanking and credit system. In all the principal agricultural countries in the world Governments had found it necessary to take special action to secure new credit facilities for agriculture. France, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries took action many years ago. The needs of agriculture in the matter of credit were twofold: First, the need for fixed capital for long-term credit for the acquisition and development of land; and, secondly, for working capital—short-term credits lor the growing, harvesting, and marketing of their produce. These two sides of the problem were distinct. The Mirister of Agriculture (Mr Walter Guinness), in explaining the Agricultural Credits Bill, stated that the Government had arranged for the formation of a mortgage corporation, secured cither on the land or the improvements. This corporation was to be formed by the cooperation of the great banks, led by the Bank of England. The corporation is to have a guarantee fund of three-quarters of a million, equal to the paid-up capital, and the guarantee fund is to be free of interest for CO years. In additim, the Government had power to invest £1,250,000 of Government money in debentures. and towards the administrative charges the Government is to contribute £IO.OOO a year for the first 10 years. The mortgage company is empowered to grant advances up to two-thirds of the value of the land. The corporation may raise debentures ir the open market. The British proposals arc on a generous scale, but the Bill was strongly opposed by Labour members.