THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21952, 13 May 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

OTAGO DOG TRIALS Sheep dog trials to be held in Otago under the auspices of the Provincial Sheep Dog Association have been arranged as follows: May 16. 17, 18, and 19.—Wainerao (provincial championships). May 25 and 26. —Miller’s Flat. May 29, 30, and 31.—Warepa. June 1,2, and 3.—Clutha. June 14, 15, 16.—South Island championships at Mossburn.

Commonwealth Wool Exports From July 1 to March 31 shipments of wool from the Commonwealth totalled 2,478,505 bales, an increase of 217,897 bales compared with the similar period of the preceding season. The following figures show the quantity exported to the principal destinations: — 1931-32. 1932-33. Bales. Bales. United Kingdom .. 800,792 772,994 Japan .. .. -- 505,051 535,001 France 316,391 371,093 Germany .. .. 231,257 320,374 Sum .. -• 185,423 247,269 Italy 168,397 168,451 Poland 606 18,715 Switzerland .. .. Spain •• .. , 4,268 7,442 United States .. 33,176 6,331 India 3,304 5,4n9 Netherlands .. .. 1-663 4,928 Sweden .. .. .. 5,919 4,883 Canada .. .. .. 2,266 3,382 Czechoslovakia .. 1.00 l 2,330 The increase in the total shipments for the nine months has been due to the greater quantities of wool sold during the period, compared with a year previously. The most notable changes have been the revival in shipments to France, Germany, and Belgium. Those three countries bought in limited volume last season, but have purchased with greater freedom during the current selling year. Japan has bought in slightly larger quantities. Poland has become an important direct consumer, though indirectly she has previously used pood weights of the Australian clip. The United States total reflects the diminished buying orders noticeable from that quarter. Two years ago exports to the States for the nine months were 65,222 bales. Japan’s Competition In Australia, Japanese demand has been of great value in the sale of the wool clip, and the extension in her manufacturing is. therefore, regarded with satisfaction. It is not viewed with gratification by manufacturers in other countries. Loss of trade with Japan has been a source of anxiety in England, and her products have invaded markets in which Britain previously had a strong footing. In a report to the Chamber of Deputies, Italy, on a Bill recently passed instituting a 48-hour week in industry, reference was made to the invasion of European and Mediterranean markets by Japanese goods, and united European action to meet the problem was urged. The report states that Italy s export trade in woollen, cotton, silk, and rayon goods is being progressively ousted by the invincible Japanese competition, which now peaches into the Mediterranean, and even penetrates some of our colonies. To this is added the growing danger of the industrialisation of some points in China, Shanghai, for example, where Japanese and European factories are being opened with extensive modern equipment, and produce under labour conditions which cannot .be proached in European countries. These factories now do not only apply themselves to low-priced articles, as in the past, but are also extending their formidable competition to quality goods. That is the English and Italian viewpoint, From the Australian sheep owners outlook, however, the growth in Japan s need for raw wool has provided more widespread bidding at the sales, and consequently has had beneficial effect on prices. -Wool in England The marked revival in English wool purchasing was the most notable feature of recent sales. From July 1 to January 31, only 719,299 bales of imported woo] were retained for use in the British Isles, compared with 759,167 bales during the similar period of the preceding season, and turnover during the seven months was bulky at the United Kingdom mills. The English trade was evidently of the opinion that the later selling months of the season would be more favourable for purchasing the raw material. They have not suffered much by delaying buying, but prices latterly have moved upward. Actually. English imports, of the staple from July to January were 1.255,616 bales, being 131,847 bales more than a year before, but the re-exports were 536,317 bales, compared with only 364,602 bales 12 months previously, denoting that the Continent principally was buying more freely in Great Britain. An increase in purchasing for Europe has also been experienced this season in Australia. The development latterly seen in Yorkshire competition at Australian auctions is apparently due to the necessity of replenishing supplies which had not been kept up to requirements. New Zealand Exchange Rate The Daily Dispatch, of Manchester, is carrying on a propaganda campaign m favour of the local farmer and to the detriment of Dominion produce. British farmers (says this newspaper) arc preparing a strong protest to the Government against the breaking of the “spirit and letter ” of the Ottawa agreement by the dominions .giving bonuses, owing to depreciated currency, on exports of tooustnffs which are being dumped into Britain. Farmers are complaining that the granting under the agreement of tree entry into this country of agricultural produce from the dominions for three years, coupled with the assistance the Dominion exporters get from their Governments. has made it impossible tor tbem to compete with incoming produce. A prominent Cheshire farmer is quoted; , , “The British Governments hands seem to he lied for three years, while the dominions do just as they like. Aftei Ottawa conditions should have remained as they were; instead. New Zealand immediately increased the rate of exchange from 110 to 125, thus giving their farmers a bonus on ttie goods they export to us.” The Butter Market Commenting on the dairy produce markets, Messrs H. H. Turnbull and Co., Stll “ Throughout the month the market has remained dull, with little doing, hut early in May there was a distinct improvement The reports in London of the reduced production in Australia and New Zealand helped to restore some confidence in the position, and operators proceeded to buy protective stocks, and heavy buying resulted; also some speculators came into the market and thus forced prices up, the’market rising from 69s up to 73s to 745. However, with the improvement in price, a number of buyers were prepared to take their profit, and the market at the moment is slightly easier, but is reported as being steady. The Cheese Position ‘ Cheese has also shown an improvement and, as usual, followed the sharp rise in butter to some extent. Messrs \\ . Weddel and Co., Ltd.,, cable us that tne weather being experienced at the present time is very favourable to consumption, and they state that they expect the

By Rustictts. Items of Interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to “Rusticus,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

market to improve. There is still a shortage of coloured cheese, which is maintaining a 5s to 6s premium over wljite. Market Conditions There has been more inquiry for forward butter and cheese during the last 10 days than for some time, and quite a considerable quantity of butter has been sold forward at prices' ranging from 81d to the vicinity of 9d per lb, whilst cheese has been sold forward at round about 4Jd to 4?d per lb. The forward inquiry in the last day or two has been somewhat quieter. The production in Victoria is tailing very rapidly, and for the week ended April 23, only some 7000 boxes of butter were graded for export as against 23,000 for the same week in 1932. The general conditions in Victoria are reported to be very unfavourable to butter production at the moment. At a time when considerable stress and very much public attention is _ being focussed on the stock position in the United Kingdom, the following figures may be of interest: — BUTTER IMPORTS TO UNITED KINGDOM-SIX MONTHS, OCTOBER TO MARCH. 1931-32. 1932-33. British .. 117,676 130,731 *13,055 Foreign ~ 88,145 83,269 f 4,876 Total • 205,821 214,000 *8,179 * Increase. f Decrease, New Zealand Lamb A unique exhibition, and certainly one which compels attention, is to be seen in the show window of New Zealand House, in the Strand. It is one arranged by the Meat Producers’ Board. The half-a-dozen wax replicas of New Zealand lamb, which have served many useful publicity purposes, are now to be seen performing a steady revolution. The heads are evidently fixed in a revolving wheel and the legs radiate outwards like the spokes of a wheel. The revolving hub itself is covered by a metallic coloured disc, on which are the words “Ask for It.” * On the left is a brilliant metallic disc bearing the inscription, “ New Zealand lamb can be obtained from any high-class butcher." On the right is another metallic disc with the words: “New Zealand lamb is always tender and delicious.” Along the front is a long notice board with the words, “ The Meat of Sunshine.” Six life-size models of lambs are distributed over the base of what appears as green grass. The silvered contents of the window are seen effectively against a black background. ' FARMERS’ UNION WAITAHUNA BRANCH The annual meeting of the Waitahuna branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Monday evening. There was a good attendance, over which Mr F. H. Crump presided. The secretary (Mr E. Skinner) submitted the annual report and balance sheet, which shovyed that receipts for the year with previous balance (£l9 10s lid) amounted to £2B 19s lid, and the expenditure £9 12s 3d, leaving a credit of £l9 7s Bd. The report stated that four meetings had been held, all well-attended. The union’s organiser, Mr R. Livingston, had visited the district, and a number of new members had been booked. Addresses had been delivered by Mr R. S. Thompson, Lawrence, on Harbour Board matters, and Mr A. B. Struther, of the union’s Duncdinc office, had outlined services offered to farmers through the Farm Accountancy Association, and also dealt with farm balance, sheets, taxation, and income returns as required by the Taxation Departments. The report made reference to the loss the branch had suffered in the death of one of its foundation members in the person of Mr A. M. M’Millan.

The following were elected for the ensuing year:—President,' Mr JW. Crozier; vice-presidents, Mr J. M. Rose and Mr R. M'Caw; secretary and treasurer, Mr Eric Skinner; auditor, Mr H. B. Crozier.

Mr A. C. Leary, Lawrence, was nominated as a member of the Otago Provincial Executive.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr C. R. Sheat (president of the Otago Provincial Executive) addressed the members on various matters vitally affecting the farming community at the present time, dealing mainly with marketing of products, tariff revision as affecting the Ottawa agreement, and many other subjects of interest to the farmers. A number of questions were asked at the close of the address and answered by the speaker. A hearty vote of thanks was extended to Mr Sheat by Mr R. M'Caw for the elucidation of the many problems confronting the Dominion in his address. QUOTA FOR BUTTER REJECTION SUPPORTED VIEWS OF ECONOMIST The rejection by the New Zealand and Australian dairying interests of the proposed butter quota is supported by Professor H. Belshaw. professor of economics at the Auckland University College, who recently expressed the view that a restriction on Empire butter imported into the United Kingdom might not increase prices to the level anticipated. Imports of butter into Great Britain have increased over 30 per cent, since 1929, according to Professor Belshaw. The figures he quotes are:— Empire Foreign Total Year. Tons irons Tons 1929 .. 132,000 187,250 319,850 1930 .. 153,500 187.600 341,100 1931 .. 200,000 203,550 403,550 1032 .. 221,500 201,000 433.500 The alternative to a quota was said to be a price war. It might seem at first sight that a quota would be much preferable, but his view was that there were serious difficulties and some dangers to which the advocates of a quota had not attached sufficient importance, that the alternative ./as not necessarily a price war, and that even if it were a price war might well be the lesser of two evils. In view of the competition of margarine, it was possible that the increase in gross receipts following the introduction of a quota would be less than was hoped. In any case, the competition of margarine defined the limits within which a price rise was likely as the result of restriction. Secondly, a quota must be imposed on foreign butter, at least as large as that imposed on Empire butters, if it was to be effective. That would impair the goodwill of foreign buyers of British goods

and might embarrass attempts to reduce world tariffs. Thirdly, if the policy were successful in raising prices it would stimulate the increased production of butter to Great Britain, and the advantage to overseas producers would wholly or partially disappear. Forthly, a quota would piobably only delay, and not remove, the prospects of a price war. New Zealand would be in a stronger competitive position in a price war without quota restrictions than with quota restrictions, “ Restriction in the supply of farm products is faced with great practical difficulties,” said Professor Belshaw. “So far as I know, no attempt to control the output of the products of the soil has succeeded for long—with the possible exception of bananas.”

Professor Belshaw considers more might be achieved by reciprocal trade agreements with other countries than by quotas. The possibilities should be exploied of (a) developing new markets; (b) developing the local market in milk and cream: (c) improving marketing in Great Britain, more especially with a view to competing more effectively against Danish butter in the North and Midlands; (cl) developing a more diversified farming in dairying districts; and (e) improving technical efficiency in farming and manufacture. No spectacular improvements should be expected from these, he says, but they might quite well lead to a gradual amelioration of the position.

SMALL FARMS PLAN FEAR OF COLLAPSE? THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS VALUABLE TIME LOST Fearing' that the Government’s small farm plan, devised as the main policy measure for the relief of unemployment in New Zealand, is in danger of collapse, efforts are being made in Auckland to form an association of applicants for holdings, with" the idea of assisting the authorities to make the scheme a success. . The decision to form an association was reached at a meeting recently, which appointed Mr A. G. Sainsbury, of Otahuhu, to organise a further meeting of applicants, and in the meantime to write to the Minister of Lands urging him to take immediate action under the terms of the governing legislation. “ There is no doubt,” said Mr Sainsbury, in an interview recently, “ that this plan is apparently collapsing. If that is the case it will be a tremendous disappointment to us applicants. Taking the Prime Minister’s estimate of 12,000 applications it is clear these represent the accumulation of applications from the past summer and autumn which have not been dealt with. A man after making an application naturally ceases to spend time and money developing his future in other directions, trusting that the Government will take prompt action to allocate a holding to him. Farming, it must be remembered, is a seasonal occupation, and farm management prescribes a definite plan of cropping, etc., according to the season. Therefore the loss of three months is ■ a very serious one for an applicant. We are now at the edge ot winter—-the idle time on a farm and this means the loss of potential income. I know one man who estimates his loss at over £IOO. If we average it at £56, it means, on the Prime Minister’s own figures, a loss of over £500,000.” Mr Sainsbury added that while the scheme had been “hanging fire,” and the men informed that the Government did not have suitable land available, they were wondering why extensive areas in North Auckland had been parcelled out in large blocks to men who were not unemployed. The unemployed had been advised that that land was not for them. “NOT BEGGING.” “The unemployed applicants for areas of land under the small farms plan are not begging for any gifts from the Government,” said Mr Sainsbury. Ministers have made it clear that every penny paid out will be loaded on to the farmlets, the income from which will provide the repayment funds. Therefore, the applicants meet the Government on a level footing. There is a straight business offer from the Government, and a definite acceptance by the applicants, necessitating reasonably prompt action by the Government. In private life, for failure of this nature, a man would have the right of an action for damages. The Government risks an average of about £3OO per settler, secured on the improvements he makes. This represents only £ls a year. The settler risks his future, worth at least £l5O a year. He is therefore entitled to have half the representation on the board of management in Wellington, and also_ on the various district committees. It is vitally important, both to the nation and to the settler, that every man should succeed. INSPECTORS NECESSARY. Mr Sainsbury said applicants were entitled to ask what evidence there was that the Government would take up the scheme energetically. The actual passage of the legislation was not vitally necessary to the scheme. Its chief usefulness was to give compulsory powers for purchasing and leasing privately-held lands. Although some time had passed, the only development had been the determination of the internal administration. He calculated that one departmental officer could inspect and report on 10 farmlets a week. It would accordingly require the full-time services of 100 officers to settle the 12,000 applicants in three months. Twenty of these officials should operate in Auckland. At present lie believed there was only one. “It would require a total outlay of £3,600,000 to equip 12,000 farmlets, at an average of £3OO each,” Mr Sainsbury added. “ This makes no provision for an additional 12,000 applicants that might come along. At least £5,000,000 ought therefore to be earmarked. This would not be lost money, but practically a secured mortgage. We sincerely hope that the Government will not allow this magnificent plan to break down. It affords a great opportunity to enable a large self-reliant portion of the unemployed to take themselves off the relief fund, and at the same time create a valuable asset for the whole nation.”