THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21980, 15 June 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

farm and station news.

By Rusticus.

1 OTAGO DOG TRIALS Sheep dog trials yet to be held in Otago under the auspices of the Provincial Sheep Dog Association are as follows: June 15, 16— South Island championships’ at Mossburn. Supplementing Green Feed For those fanners who are fortunate to have turnips or green feed It should be noted that in-lamb ewes on turnips will consume 201 b a head a day,, but u two hours daily on roots and oatsheaf chatl, Jib to lib a head of chaff will be consumed. Again, ewes feeding, say one hour daily on green feed, will also eat and do well on lib to 1 ilb of bay or Jib to 11b of oatsheaf chaff a bead a day. Assuming that the average 601 b hogget requires about half the feed of a 1201 b ewe, the supplementary feed required for a hogget can be based, on 11b to lAlb a day, and the three following mixtures are suitable and contain about equal amounts of the necessary feed: (a), 71b oatsheaf chaff and slb peas, equal to 121 b a head a week; (b) 15lb hay and 21b peas, equal to 171 b; (c) 81b oat straw, 21b bran, 21b oats, 21b wheat, and 11b meat meal, equal to 151 b. Two other concentrated mixtures suitable to be fed to hoggets at the rate of ilb a head a day can be made up as follows:—(a) Two parts (by weight) of oatsheaf chaff, and one part each of bran, oats and peas;_ (b) one part each of bran, crushed oats, linseed cake and wheat. Molasses may be used to improve the “feeding value and palatability, and to overcome the binding effects of dry feed.

Wintering of Cow* The average cow produces two gallons of milk a day in 221 b hay and 401 b of roots'or kale, equal to half a ton of hay and two tons of roots a head for three months. Dry cows can be wintered satisfactorily on a daily ration of 151 b of hay and 101 b of good oat or barley straw. One and a-half oat sheaves (say, 121 b) a day fed uncut equals about half a ton a head, for/three months. The following mixtures also are suggested:—-Four lb wheat, 81b straw chaff, and Jib to *lb meat meal a head a day in two feeds; or 201 b to 251 b straw, Jib meat meal, and 21b wheat a head a day. : Good hay has twice the feeding value of oat straw also, and 11b of hay equals 21b to 2Jlb of grass ensilage, and 61b of grass ensilage is equal to 101 b of mangels. In' feeding ensilage, lib of hay, should be supplied with every 31b to 41b of ensilage.

TOPICS OF INTEREST. OFFICIAL NOTES

It has been decided to appeal, to branches once again to undertake the maintenance of an Otago boy at Flock House. The secretary has been instructed to write branches asking them if they will be agreeable to ’make the same donation as last year. A sum of; approximately £25 is involved. .

At the Council meeting on Tuesday, the following delegates were appointed to represent the council at the Dominion conference in July:—The president (Mr M. A. Kinney), Messrs 0. R. Sheat, F. Waite, and A. C. Cameron. Messrs E. H. Murney aiid J. D. Eeyie will also attend the conference as members of the Dominion. Executive. -

The resignation of Mr D. M'Gregor Reid has been received by the council. In a covering letter," Mr Reid stated that he very greatly regretted that circumstances were such that he would'be unable to attend meetings regularly, and that he felt he should make way. for someone who could give the necessary time to the work of the council. :■ . - Various speakers made eulogistic reference to the long and faithful service rendered to the council by Mr Reid. The president (Mr Kinney) said that he felt that they should ask Mr Reid to. reconsider his decision. Mr Sheat stated that with Mr Murney and the secretary, he had endeavoured, without success, to dissuade Mr Reid, and felt it would not be fair to him not to accept his resignation. Mr Sheat also paid a high tribute to the fine work, which Mr Reid had done for the Milton branch and for the council. Mr Michelle also spoke of his long association with Mr Reid. The secretary was instructed to draw up a minute of. appreciation of his services, -

A Dunedin importer called at'the secretary's office recently and stated that he was at present importing timber from Sweden, Norway, and Great Britain;; He stated that he had saved 7s 6d per ton by shipping the British timber to Hamburg and getting a through bill of lading from Hamburg to New Zealand. His explanation was that the freight rates from Great Britain to New Zealand were fixed by arrangement between the companies carrying on the trade, whereas the .freight rates from the Continent to New Zealand were open to competition. He stated that the shipping companies in the . New Zealand trade realised that the flow of Continental goods and produce was checked by the prohibitive import duty'. To offset this, and to encourage ■ trade with New Zealand, they accordingly quoted a rate of freight from the Continent to New Zealand which in some cases was only half the rate charged on the same goods from Great Britain to New Zealand. OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL A meeting of the Otago Provincial Counbil of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Tuesday. Mr M. A. Kinney (president) occupied the chair, others present being Messrs J. Miller, G. K. Sheat, J. D. Revie; W. Bradfield, J. Cockburn, sen., A. Craig, J. S. Elliot,, Q. W. Hallnm, A. C. Leary, R. 11. Michelle, R. J. E. Smith, A. Spoor, F. Waite, John Clarke, James Begg, W. Lee, and the secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron). The president welcomed Mr Elliot to the council, and also expressed the pleasure of members at the recovery of Mr J. Cockburn from his serious illness. Mr Kinney said that as this was his first meeting as president he would like members, to forgive any shortcomings during his term of office. He could give them the assurance that he would do his best, and felt that he could look upon them for every assistance during the coming year. Mr Smith conveyed the congratulations of the Maniototo branch to Mr Kinney for the honour done to the branch through his appointment. TARIFF.

Mr Waite reported upon what had been done by the Dominion Council in regard to the preparation of evidence. After some discussion the report was received and satisfaction expressed at what had been done.

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.

RAILWAY FREIGHTS. Mr Cameron reported in detail in connection with the request made at a previous council meeting that inquiries should be made into the, railway freights on hay, chaff, potatoes, and firewood. He stated that he had gone fully into each item with Air C. Barnes (railway commercial manager). Mr Cameron submitted a schedule of the freights on each item in detail, together with suggestions made by Mr Barnes. A discussion ensued on each item, members expressing satisfaction with what had been done. Several suggestions were made, and Mr Cameron was instructed to confer with Mr Barnes in regard to same. AUDIT OF LOCAL BODIES.

A letter was received from the Milton branch asking the council to reconsider its previous decision in connection with the Milton remit complaining about the delay in connection with the audit of local bodies. It was considered by the branch that for a balance sheet to be 12 months old or more before being audited gave unscrupulous persons every opportunity of covering their tracks or getting away, ihe letter stated that they considered that it the Government auditor could not visit the district there were men in most districts quite capable of doing the work. The letter was supported by Mr M»cnelle, who gave details of the work none and the delay which had occurred m the audit of various bodies in the Bruce County district. ~ . Mr Leary said he thought that the local bodies were to some extent to blame. The auditors probably found ,by experience that certain accounts would be ready for audit and others would not. He thought that if the local bodies would make a point of having their accounts ready for audit the auditors would audit them promptly. Mr Rcvie said he knew of a local body which the auditor visited three times, months after the end of the financial year, and the accounts were not ready. Mr Leary remarked that Mr Michelles complaint about the number of audit fees strengthened the argument of the amalgamation of local bodice.—(Laughter.) Other speakers stated that their experience was that where accounts were ready promptly and an application was made to the Government Audit Department the auditors were forthcoming. Mr Cameron suggested that be be authorised to write to'the Government Audit Department and inquire the reason for the delay in respect to the Milton aU| Ihis was agreed to on-the motion of Messrs Michelle and Sheat. MILK IN BREAD. MANUFACTURE. The secretary read the report of the Special Committee which had inquired into this matter. As requested by the council, this committee had met the tinee local members of the Dairy . Board, ana discussed the matter fully with them, A full report of this meeting has already been published. ; - • , ... Mr Lee supported the report, which was received. A motion of thanks nas passed to the Special Committee for their work.

SUPPLY OF WHEAT TO FREE MILLS

" The secretary reported that in _accbrdance with the request at the last council meeting, he had written to the Wheat Purchase Board asking thern for their reasons for withholding wheat from the Star Milling' Company. He read a copy of the repl£ received, and also extracts from the official, statement made by the Wheat Purchase Board and which covered the whole position. The Wheat Board contended that they had allocated wheat to all flour mills, both free mills members of Distributors Ltd., on the basis of their previous year’s output. The Wheat Purchase Board did riot consider it in the interests of the farmers to have more flour manufactured than necessary for the normal requirements of the public. They also felt that it was not in the best interests of the producer or farmer to have pricecutting amongst, the Sour mills,. . Mr Cameron also stated that , be had had numerous inquiries from branches in regard, to the matter. The question had been taken up by the Canterbury Executive, and he had a copy of the statement made by Mr Mulholland to the Canterbury Conference. . ' .'■'•■.• - ■ , Mr Begg said that the Wheat Board undoubtedly had the necessary'power to restrict selling wheat to millers, but considered that there was no justification for their adopting this policy an order to ensure early buying on the part of the millers. Millers had been in _ the habit of purchasing, the bulk of their wheat requirements before the end of May, and the rising scale of prices faxed by the Wheat Purchase Board would ensure that this practice.would be continued. Mr Begg then reviewed the whole position, and contended that it was not the job of the Wheat Purchase Board to ration flour or to ensure that a certain price for flour would be maintained. Their action gave the flour mills an assured output regardless of quality or competition. Another ; matter wag the fact that the Wheat Purchase Board appeared to have assumed that flour equivalent to 600,000 bushels of wheat would continue to be imported annually. Mr Begg also drew attention to the fact that farmers opposed dumping when applied to this country rind yet the Wheat Board proposed to dump the whole of the surplus wheat into the East at a price well below cost of production or the local purchase price. In hia opinion, this was wrong in principle and should be opposed He moved; —“That in the opinion of this executive the Wheat Purchase Board was ill-advised in rationing the flour mills and in restricting the sale of wheat. In the opinion of this executive, the reasons. put forward by the board did not show that such action was necessary.” , This motion was seconded by Mr Michelle, who supported Mr B egg’s. remarks. He felt that the Wheat Purchase Board had been carried away by Distributors, Ltd., who undoubtedly were on a win. Mr Waite defended the action of the Wheat Board and said that the board was as impartial as it was possible to be. It. contained four representatives of producers, four millers, and an independent chairman. Those present were not in possession of the full facts, but the board ■would have same in their possession beiore reaching their decision. For this reason, he felt those present should oppose the m °Mr"Craig said he felt we should go somewhat warily. The Wheat Purchase Board were no doubt looking a year ahead, and in his opinion, any price-cutting war between the flour millers would react on the producer, and the producer would suffer sooner or later. While he quite agreed with many of the statements made by Mr Begg. he felt the .council should go slow/ly before they criticised the Wheat Purchase Board. , , . , Mr Kinney said that we had a duty to protect the consumer against high prices for flour, and 'he would like to see this aspect of the case discussed. ■ ■ Mr Bradfleld asked if the Wheat Purchase Board was there to keep up the price of wheat or to keep up the price ot flour? He agreed with Mr Begg that it was not part of -their job to protect the flour millers. .... Mr Sheat said that it was the export and service to foreign markets w)iieh would enable the local price to be maintained. He felt the council should be care-

ful before they did anything which would disturb' existin'; arrangements. v Mr Miller said that he had read through the official statement made by the Wheat Purchase Board and he was inclined to. think that their attitude was justified. He agreed with the previous speaker that a selling price war between flour mills would react upon the producer. Mr Bcgg, in reply, said that the Wheat Board was not infallible and could make mistakes like anybody else. He felt that the public were being exploited to-day in connection with the price of flour, and that the flour miller was getting away with it. In reply to Mr Miller, Mr Begg pointed out that if the millers bought too much wheat this year at high prices, they would certainly have less to buy next year, and the farmer would be left in exactly the same position as if they bought too little this year and more next year.

On being put to the meeting, the motion was declared carried, on a show of bands. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

The following committees were appointed :—Emergency Committee —Messrs M. A. Kinney (president), J. Miller (vicepresident), E. H. Murney, A.; C.'Leary, C. R. Sheat, James Begg, William Lee, F. Waite, A. C. Cameron. Finance Committee—Messrs M. A. Kinney, J. Miller, John Clarke, C. R. Sheat, A. C, Cameron. , Mr J. D. Revie was nominated to represent the council on the Meat Board Electoral Committee, and Mr A. Craig on the Wheat Advisory Board, FINANCIAL POSITION OF UNION. Following upon a remit passed at the Provincial Conference, a full discussion took place upon the financial position of the union. .Mr Cameron submitted an estimated budget for the coming year, and this Was discussed in detail. It was decided that the co-operation of the branches be obtained to ensure the collection of outstanding subscriptions, and that every effort be made to enable the present standard service to be maintained. It was felt by all present that it would be a retrograde step to cut down the service being given by the provincial office. . Mr Leary stated that in the face of the budget submitted he could not see that the council could make any reduction in the subscription, without reducing the efficiency of the organisation. Members must admit that the union was giving more service now than it had ever done. He was convinced, from conversations he had had with members of the union, that the great bulk of them did not feel that the subscription should be reduced. Messrs Cockburn, Lee, Michelle, and Miller supported Mr Leary’s remarks. Mr Elliot said that his branch had agreed to withdraw their motion in favour of the resolution carried at the conference. Now that he had had an opportunity of seeing the budget and of hearing the discussion, he was perfectly satisfied, and_ would report back to his branch to this effect. Mr Smith also spoke in similar terms, and said that he, personally, did not wish to see the Otago provincial allocation cut down one penny. When the Maniototo branch brought forward , their motion originally, it.was with the/idea of getting the Dominion allocation cut down. The Dominion'Executive had funds which, he felt could well be used at the preseut time.

Mr Miller supported Mr Smith, but the of the meeting was averse to doing anything at the present time. On the motion of Messrs Leary and Shbat, the following motion ’ was carried unanimously:—“ After reviewing the financial position, this council does not feel it would be wise to reduce the subscription. as any reduction would reduce the efficiency of the organisation.” BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

. The .secretary reported that the council of the Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs’ Association had heard with regret that the Department, of Agriculture found it unable to continue to supply Mr J. E. Davies as full-time secretary owing to shortage in staff; After discussion the. following resolution was carried on the motion of Messrs Sheat and Cockhurn: — “That this council learns with great regreat of the decision of the Department of Agriculture Fields Division to transfer Mr J. E. Davies from his present; work as fulWime , organiser for Otago and Southland for the Boys > and Girls Agricultural Clubs’ 'Association ancj Young Farmers’. Clubs, and trusts that the department will find'ways and means of carrying on work, which, in the opinion of this council, is of the highest importance.” ■

It was further decided that Messrs Begg and Cameron.be authorised to act in conjunction with other bodies to see if anything could be done to insure that the work of the Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs and'Young Farmers’ Clubs be carried on. ■ '

Various members expressed the view that the work was one of the most valuable being undertaken by the department. .v .< ’ v v ; . ' Vv

■ 'Remits referred to the council by the recent conference were then discussed. 1 STOCK AGENTS’ CHARGES. “ That the present systerii of disposing of the/ wool clip is too expensive, and that every effort be ma/de to inaugurate a scheme whereby the wool/ is sold on grade; such grading to be done by graders approved by Bradford.” ; Mr . Bradfleld -said' that as this remit had .originally come from Gleubmaru he would move it. The remit was seconded by- Mr Sheat, who referred to the suggestions made by Mr L. W. Bagley in connection with improving the grading system. He felt that a good deal could be done. After some discussion it was carried, and it'was decided to send the same forward to'the Dominion Executive. DAIRYING. “That with a view to increasing our export butter sales: (1) By /exploiting new markets; (2) by marketing our butter/ more attractively, this conference appoint a committee to consult with the Dairy Board.” ‘■ : 1 V , , ; - ; " Mr Lee said that the Dairy Board had given a tremendous amount of attention to the exploiting of new markets and to the question of marketing butter more attractively/ The New Zealand Co-opera-tive Dairy Association had maintained their own representative in the East at a very considerable cost, but, partly because of the lack of adequate shipping service and the operation Of the Patterson scheme; in Australia, they hud not been able to get a foothold on the Eastern market. Every other avenue for securing new markets had been examined —/propaganda work, was being carried on. individual factories had sent forward consignments. Representatives of mercantile firms had visited the East and other countries in seach of new business, but; unfortunately, the results were disappointing. Mr Lee stated that the Dairy Board would be very pleased to receive any suggestions, and he could assure them that the same would be fully considered. Mr Waite supported Mr Lee, and said that he understood that the “Anchor ” brand butter was being marketed in pats in the United Kingdom. Various attempts had been made in the past to export butter in pats from New Zealand, but the butter bad a stale appearance when opened up. Mr Lee referred to the research work which had been done in this connection at Massey College. After discussion, it wag agreed that nothing could 'be done which had not been done by the Dairy Board. IMPORTATION OF PESTS. “That with the exception of zoological societies and scientific organisations all person or persons be .absolutely prohibited from importing into the Dominion any mammals or birds, excepting domestic manimals or birds.” On the motion of Messrs Waite and Smith, it was decided that a copy of the regulations be obtained and forwarded to the Tapanui branch. REMITS FROM BRANCHES.

The following resolution was received from the Tapanui Sub-provincial Executive: —“That the Agricultural Department be asked to investigate the disease at present very prevalent in what may be termed scabby mouths in hoggets.”

Some of those present stated, that the matter had already been investigated by the Agricultural Department, and a formula was obtainable for the treatment of the disease. On the suggestion of the secretary it was decided to write to Mr C, Y. Dayus (director of the Live Stock Department) asking him what information was available and what had been done.—This was agreed to on the motion of Messrs Miller and Sheat. i The following resolution was r received from Uppey Clutha branch:;—“That the Government be urged to ensure that the work of the Cawthron Institute be continued. particularly the entomological work.—ln view of the fact that the council had already taken up this matter, with Wellington, and' that the matter was under consideration by the Dominion Executive, it was decided that nothing further could be done meantime. 'The Pine HilLWaitati branch forwarded the following resolution:—“That this' branch of the Farmers’ Union is of the opinion that the time has arrived for the City Council to take over the milk supply of Dunedin, and that the Proving cial Executive be asked to help us to attain these ends.”—On the request oi Mr. Spoor, it was decided to hold this resolution over until the next meeting. BLUE STAR LINE STEAMERS. The following resolution was from the Lawrence, branch;—“ That the Otago Executive support the request of the Blue Star Line for a share of the trade in regard to the shipping of primary produce from New Zealand. W e understand that the Blue Star Line has promised a reduction in freight charges and a regular shipping service.’’ ’ In moyihg this' remit Mr Leary referred to the letter /and advertisement which had appeared in the press; He felt that if any shipping- company , were; prepared to carry our produce at reduced rates we should encourage them. It appeared to him that here was an opportunity ,of reducing costs. Mr Leary referred in detail to the high cost of transport from various countries to New Zea- . land compared with the cost' of transport to other .countries where there was more competition iri freights., He quoted a statement from a local importer who alleged that it paid him to send timber from London to Hamburg, and have it shipped out to New Zealand from Hamburg because the freight rate was so much lower. He mentioned that a member ox his branch had raised the question of the fairness of a flat rate of .freight from New Zealand to various United Kingdom ports in view of the fact that the bulk of- the produce went London. The motion was seconded by Mr Sheat, who supported Mr Leary’s remarks. He felt that any move which would bring about a reduction in freights was desirable. j ... ■Speaking in support of the'motion, Mr Begg stated that the. Conference Line steamers had not reduced their freights in proportion to the reductions which had taken place in primary produce and in: other directions. He felt that wo were entitled to a substantial reduction in freight. In answer to a question; he explained the position of the present contracts and the attitude of the Meat Board. He said that the Meat and Dairy Boards had a very grave responsibility ,to the country in connection with the meat and dairy produce contracts, because in making their contracts they practically decided the freight rates of all other commodities. He was strongly of tlie opinion that the contracts should be fixed in New Zealand—the last contract arranged by the board for a duration of three years amounted to £3,000,000 in freight. , . The motion was carried. , The following resolution was carried on the motion of Messrs Begg and Hallum:— “That the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board and Dairy Board be urged to use every effort to secure reductions in branch as follows:—“ That the time is not opportune for the levy of-3d per bale, for scientific woql' research.” This was carried on the motion of Messrs Michelle' and Miller. THRESHING MILL DISPUTE. A letter was received from Mr James. Lawson (Stirling) asking if the council could see its way clear to meet him to-, the extent of £SO in connection with his legal expenses and claim which arouse out of an accident to a millhand while working on his property. After discussion, the secretary was instructed to write to Mr Lawson regretting that the council could not see its way to assist him in this matter. In response to a question it was pointed out that Mr Lawson was not a member of the Farmers’ Union nor had he insured with the Farmers’ Mutual Association.