THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20743, 14 June 1929, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By Rusticps

Items of, interest to those engaged I with a view to their publication in Shoy should be addressed to “Kusti

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ‘‘lrrigation ” , (Earnsclcngh): Tlic cost of the Committee of Inquiry into irrigation matters in Central Otago has never been disclosed. I should not think that there is any foundation for the rumour you have heard, particularly in view of the fact that three of .the seven members of the committee ■were Government officials. I understand that £ISOO as an estimate would not be very far wrong. Royal "' (Menzies Ferry): No definite decision has yet been come to in regard to future venues of the. Royal ■ Show, biit in view of the large volume of public opinion (in both island) in favour of the idea, it seems likely that Wellington will ultimately be the permanent home of the fixture. Duty on Imported Fruits. Fruitgrowers throughout the Dominion .arc eager to protect their industry from tile competition of imported fruits and joint products, and remits referring to this from all over the Dominion are to be considered at the Fruitgrowers’ Federation .in Wellington on July 3. These generally were approved by last week’s provincial conference of Otago ' growers. They ask for . ah increased duty , oh imported jams and canned and dried fruits, which can be manufactured in New Zealand; bn imported stone fruit; on imported raspberry; pulp and juice.- and on dried apricots and on imported cherries. Chilled Mutton. In their annual survey of the meat trade in 1028, Messrs Geo. C. Kean, London, state: “ A few ■ experimental shipments of chilled ,mutton from Argentine were made during the year. These Var* rived in satisfactory condition and prices were generally obtained, but it is doubtful if, in'view of the extra freight, etc., any great net increase in price resulted as compared with frozen mutton values. It is also an open question whether the enhanced values, would be readily obtainable if the trade’ became a regular one.” Fertiliser Trade. . ;As midwinter is now approaching, the general demand has eased. ' It is expected, however,, that there will be a decided improvement the next week or two and that farmers will commence topdressing for spring requirements at an early <Jatc. Local manufacturers of superphosphate, basic slag. etc., anticipate a heavy demand throughout the early ' spring period, chiefly for high grade super for top-dressing, and will have ample stocks to meet nil requirements. The Ruapehu has recently landed a consignment of sulphate of ammonia, and further lots are coming forward by later steamers. The Baron Pcntland. due about the end of themonth. is bringing a part shipment of nitrate of soda direct from Chilian ports., while basic slag shipments are now, practically finished for the season. All prices remain steady at late rates. No Band. “ It's making too much of a Yankee show of it,” remarked a member of the South Island Farmers’ Excursion Reception Conunittee when suggesting that the committee should do without a band in the welcome which would be extended to the excursionists when .they arrived in New Plymouth by special train at midday- on June 17. The committee shared the opinion expressed, but the necessity of a decision was'avoided by the fact, which was announced-later, that they .could .not get one. Southland Winter Show. . At the monthly .meeting of directors of the Southland A. and P. Association on .Saturday, the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson),.submitted a balance, sheet for the recent Winter Show indicating 'a loss of £l3O 13s 10d. Receipts totalled £786 15s 6d as compared with £707 19s last year. Expenditure totalled £917-9s J 4d as-against £846 Is lid last year. Relief for Farmers. ' G'.

To, give, Relief farmers ip the matter of rating, legislation will be' introduced during the session of Parliament which opens this month to bring'about a new classification of farm lands at present included in boroughs, thus' giving effect to the findings of the commission which inquired into tlie matter of rating of farm lands last year. Closer Settlemei i.

Legislation will also be proposed to give effect to the Government's programme for closer settlement.' Authority will be taken to obtain the necessary finance to secure more land by raising the existing limit of £1,000,000. In order that the Government may be placed in a better position to acquire large holdings for subdivision. Parliament will be asked to alter the system of valuing land, as it; ha s been found that under the compulsory • clause of the Lands for Settlement Act a laud owner is able to demand practically what ho likes in the way of unimproved, value, thus imposing a serious haV to anything in the way of large-scale- acquisition. Speaking at Napier on May 9 the Prime Minister said that if the. Government could carry out a policy of acquiring large holdings at a fair, value—-not upon the owners’, ideas of value, but on fair productive value, to be settled by a representative of themselves,- , a judge r-of Min; Supreme Court, and a board—then' 'fftey would have ngt ouly thousands, but millions of acres available ’• for settlement within tlie,next few years.

EMPIRE FARMERS’ TOUR.

VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS. ARRIVING EARLY NEXT YEAR. Last year a delegation of farmers from the various dominions visitejd Great Britain, and were royally enterta’ined '. by' Home farm authorities, whose guests they were .in an extensive inspection of the agricultural and kindred resources of the Mother Country. They visited all parts of the Kingdom, many of its stock'shows and agricultural colleges, and were called upon -frequently to explain .and-describe conditions in their various dominions. The New Zealand representation, totalled eight, two of which number'were Otago farmoi'S —-Mr J). M'Lonuan (Dunedin) and W. Rose (Waitahuna) The tour extended over six weeks, and the visitors were daily brought into close touch with the leading figures in.the agricultural life of Britain

A delegation of British.. Canadian, and Soijtb African farmers is duo in New Zealand early nest year, and'Mr,A. Fisher (Culvcrden) is acting in an ambassadorial capacity in finalising matters in connection with' their visit.. The party will include many well-known and successful men, and will reach New Zealand about February 17. spending ’ sis weeks in the Dominion. A total of 80 farmers will be included, each country supplying approximately a third of the number. Advice baa been received that the quota has already been filled, and keen enthusiasm has been’ shown over the trip. An itinerary has been drawn up for the Dominion tour, and has been submitted to Mr.A, Canahan, secretary of the British National Union, who will have charge of the tour. The North Island will be visited first, and the party will then proceed to the South Island. A special tram will bo Aised. and arrangements have been made for an • officer of the, Agricultm e Department to accompany tlie party. 'The New Zealand Farmers' Union and, the agricultural and pastoral societies throughout the Dominion are interesting themselves in the tour. One of the greatest desires of the visiting fanners is to come into persona! contact with the individual farmers mot oil the tour. The farming methods in vogue in Now Zealand will be studied, and close attention will be paid to , methods of grading and marketing goods. The ma-

d agricultural anr pastoral these columns. will be welcomed, cua,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

jurilv of the British farmers will be ■interested in the dairying industry especially. No opportunity will be, lost to make the trip a good sightseeing one.

New Zealand is now the only ’Dominion in.'which a branch of the National Union lias'hot been established, and efforts will be made to remove this disability during the visit; The union was first cominenccd in South Africa, and a party of 150 South Africans visited Great Britain under its auspices in 1927. The movement was taken up in England, and a head office established. Since that time brainches have been formed in Canada and Australia. One of the main objects of the union is to bring the Empire' producers into close touch and to create an Empire trade preference. About the same time as the party is visiting New Zealand another group of farmers will be touring Australia. The two trips could not be combined, as the members would be kept away from their farms for too Jong a period. ’The main party is due at Auckland on February 20, 1930. The South Africans will leave Capetown oh January 3, and will reach New Zealand about February 18. Both; parties, will leave for Sydney on March 25. .The Canadian visitors will leave Vancouver on February 5, arriving in New Zeaiand on February, 21, and will leave on the return voyage'without visiting Australia. i . •

The tour through New .’Zealand will last for approximately 35 days, and the cost for travelling and accommodation during that time’is estimated at-about £7O for each member of ..‘the party. The itinerary has been arranged by the New Zealand Farmers' Union, which; with the assistance of the various provincial executives, will act as host to the tourists. It is proposed to take the visitors to the chief scenic resorts throughout the Dominion, and facilities will also be afforded them ;io., inspect .the.; large co-operative dairy factories and freezing works, and to visit some of the best-known breeders. Travelling will be principally by rail, advantage being taken of the special facilities provided by the Railways Department for farmers’ tours.

It had originally been arranged that the leader of the visiting party should be Sir Pieter Stewart-Bam, who died in England towards the close of last year. The party will now be led by Lord Bledisloe, one of the chief authorities on agriculture in Britain.

THE WHEAT POOL.

FIRST YEAR’S OPERATIONS

AN EFFFECTIVE ORGANISATION. The operations of the Wheat Pool were explained to a meeting of farmers at Hawarden last week by, Mr R. MTherson (manager of .'the Wheat Pool). Mr MTherson dealt’first with the brokers, saying that there were many growers who believed that they conic! do without brokers, but the brokers had the organisation and the staff.; If the pool had to provide the staff, etc., it would cost a good deal more than the broker, who was not dependent solely on wheat for his living. The authority to collect the proceeds was in a form drawn up to'protect the association. “ There was no reason why the growers should not receive the proceeds direct from the pool; but it suited the pool better where ’ the grower was easy about it to pay through the broker. It was the. broker’s job to, see .that the grower obtained his sample When he was really to deliver. The broker-looked after the tallies and sent advice as to weight, grade, etc. If the growers were not satisfied with the grade in a case where the wheat went to a mill, the pool’s grader took, up the argument with the, miller, and so far in most cases they had been able to settle disputes amicably. The Government grading,, of course, was final. When the broker sent in his broker’s advice sheet he also sent in his warrant and an . authority to collect the growers’ money. The system was now running smoothly, although at first there had been a few delays on account of. misunderstandings. Records of the wheat were also entered in the pool dodger. On the “ master sheet ” were records of , every grower’s line, and on the other side were individual sheets showing the amounts and particulars of each supply that went into the stores. When the pool started in the beginning of February there was no organisation, and the wheat was pouring in so fast that they could not handle it, and that caused a good deal of bitterness. The staff had to be trained, desks, typewriters, and other machines had to be bought, and’ the task./which-alone required a great’deal hack to arrange the whole system and put it on, a sound working basis, which alone required a great’ deal of experimentation. The system now, however, was working perfectly, and they could trace every bushel of wheat that came in.. Any grower could trace his own line .through -the system of books.. Had it not been ' for the pool there would have been a considerable oversupply, as- there was a simultaneous season throughout Canterbury, the-weather had been fine, and the season had. boon good. It could be scon from that that the poo] had averted a slump, ' ”• ■. 'f - lu .answer tb- a question,'Mr MTherson said that’the only way in which wheat could bo satisfactorily pooled was on an f.o.b. basis;, The ’charges were, returnable ■to the grower in the’ final .“wash up.” v> heat had to be brought to a common point, and the only satisfactory common point was the nearest port. What other charges arc there?—One penny to the broker ami a halfpenny for pool expenses, although it is not thought that it will come to a penny. What is the price of wheat to the farmer to-day .l— The,-price last mouth for ordinary luscan was 6s 3d f.o.b. Wc have got a special pool (or Waikari, and in a number of instances wc have been abb to get more for; Waikari wheat althoug i it is just a-question whether wo will be able to get that all the wav through. la the Hawarden wheat in the same wheat , north of the Waipara 11, n , l . It .<'is very- hard to define Maikari wheat. M hen I say- all wheat nqitliot \\ aipara. I mean there are some districts, out of it, hut. Hawarden is m

Asked if, the first payment could not DO made* within three weeks, Mr MTMicrsou said that the first payment was supposed to be underwritten 21 davs of the wheat eoming into store. There were TOry few payments now that went over the 21 days.

What date can the next payment on wheat be expected and what amount? —-the directors don't want to make miother payment until they can pay out a shilling a bushel, and they hope to do that by July 31. That, however, is no promise.

Dealing with the ramifications of the pooi. Mr M'Phcrson said that practically all the wheat-growers in Otago, and as iar down as Tapanui had boon signed up. He anticipated a good sign up in Southland, when that district was canvassed.

Mr C. V. Woodlield said that there was no doubt that the pool had saved from sixpence to ninepcnce per . bushel on the wheat. It had, therefore, justified its existence on this year’s operations alone.