THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21996, 4 July 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AMD STATION NEWS.

By Busticus

1933-34 WOOL SEASON J ROSTER OF SALES Wool sales have been arranged as follow* for the 1933-34 wool-selling eeason in New Zealand: — Place. Date. Auckland .. .. November 27 Napier December 1 Wellington.... December 7 Christchurch .. December 12 Timaru December 16 Dunedin . • •. .. December 20 Napier .. .. . • January 6 Wellington .. .. January 11 Auckland .. .. January 15 Wanganui .. January 19 Christchurch .. January 26 Invercargill .. January 31 Dunedin .. ... February 5 . Timaru .. .. .. February 9 Wellington .. .. February 15 Napier .. i. .. February 20 Wanganui .. .. February 23 Christchurch .. March - Dunedin .• •• arc } l I Invercargill,.. .. M® rc h Wellington ... .. March 19 Napier March 23 Auckland .. .. March 27 Christchurch .. April 6 Dunedin .. .. April 10 Wanganui .. .. April 17 Napier April *O-, Wellington .. .. April 24 The April sale dates are tentative only, gobject- to revision, and will ho held only If sufficient wool is available. London Wool Sales The London July series of wool sales will commence to-day and will close on July 21. Brokers anticipate a strong market, with merinos and fine crossbred probably 15 per cent to 20 per cent, higher, good style medium crowbred 20 per cent, higher, other torts, medium and coarse crossbred 15 per ce , nt - higher. One Bradford correspondent has already advised by cfcble, Bradford, June 20, that “ Merinos were id to Id up, while fine and medium crossbreds were Jd up and coarse crossbred* are makers maintain a very .firm attitude and refuse to make the slightest concession owing to the strength of the raw material market.”

Good Statistical Position A series of catalogues will be mitted in London to-day, .but the bulk of the offerings will be crossbreds. A period is, consequently, at hand during which the mill* will be consuming stocks without opportunity of replacement, inat fact, combined with the appreciably decreased clip® which will be shorn in Australia and South Africa and the absence of carry-over wool* from this year, should be of material assistance in maintaining the level of prices. By the time the new Australian selling season Opens, buyere are Hkely to be anxious for raw material, the reduced quantities which will be available for the 1933-34 12 months providing a special, incentive to purchase which .has not been noticeabl* for. some years. Since 1928-29 the trend of world wool production has been upward, the coming 12 months' being the first check noticeable since the year mentioned. Statistically wool is, therefore, more favourably situated than for a considerable time.' Throughout the world commercial prospects look more promising. On present indications, better markets for wool appear likely than have been seen for the last three seasons. The Stock Position v IN& Stocks' of wool in 1 , ,'jpublfc l , warehouses at London. Liverpool,- -Southampton, . Hull, and Grimsby at the dates mentioned: — r,-.i 1-: ~ v ■ Millions = Late, i Jupe 30, 1931 112 December 31, 1931 77 June 30. 1932 .. .. .. •• 102 December 31, 1932 ...... 64 February 28, 1933 . ... 6§ j April 29, 1933 .. .. .. ■9B , The Port of London Authority’s figures, which are available monthly, showed that the increase between February and April appears to be 'seasonal. Port of London Authority's stocks at end of April, 1933, were appreciably lower than at the corresponding date in 1931 and 1932, but slightly higher than the average amounts held at the corresponding date w the period 1924-30. - Stocks of, w001.,,in railway depots in Yorkshire at the end of April, 1933, were slightly below the aggregate at the five ports indicated above and showed little change as compared with the total at the end of April, 1932.

Wool To»o';Boltor From the marketing point of view (says the Abstract o! Statistics for May), the overseas trade position shows a general improvement during the month of May. Wool has taken on a distinctly favourable trend, the London sales exhibiting a keen demand, and brisk competition with a firm tone maintained throughout.' As regards frozen meat, lamb prices Were fairly wel maintained during May; And latest cabled advices indicate a strong and Active market. Mutton prices were generally weak, but here again a firming tendency is now evident. Throughout May the dairy produce market showed signs of shaking on the lethargy of the previous few weeks. At present it appears that an improveroent if probable, but is not yet eubstantially realised.

Stud Pig Importation* Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., report having imported from Australia a number of well-bred P'ge for the Massey Agricultural College and Mr 0. Shattock,, a Waikato breeder. The pigs imported represent some of the best blood introduced into Australia, and the method adopted represents the only way open at present to improve our strains by "the introduction of high-clase British blood. The shipment wag inspected by Mr Gorringe,officer in charge of pig. husbandry for the Department of Agriculture, and, he has expressed a very favourable opinion on the pigs. The importations included Tamworth breeding sows and ■ year-old boar for Mr Shattock and a year-old sow for the Massey College.

Cheering English Comment In wool using as well as producing countries, the necessity is recognised for higher Taw material values than have been experienced during the last few years. The Wool Record and Textile Whrld,’Bradford, commenting on the subject’ in early May, referring to the improvement in- prices experienced to that time, stated:—“The'recent advance in the raw material is needed by the grower; in fact, he will require still, higher prices in order to make wool-growing a profitable business, and in common with producers of all primary products he cannot be a free purchaser of manufactured goods until commodity values, rise to a true economic level. World demand for wool appears to be sufficiently strong to maintain raw-material prices, and demand for aemi and fully manufactured goods can carry those prices if a firm stand us taken by sellers,” If trade expands, one of the causes contributing to low prices will be yemoved. The volume of business avail-

Item of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, With a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. Shay abonld be addressed to “Busticus,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

able was for a long time so limited that excessive competition to get orders resulted in continuous price-cutting. Sellers of tops and yarns did not cut their prices because they wished to do so, but because they desired to keep their machinery occupied, retain their employees 5 services, and hold their business connections. A better demand for mill products, will enable them to take a firmer stand with prices, and that action will assist in maintaining greater stability in wool values.

Bradford Turnover. Yorkshire was a good competitor at recent Sydney and Brisbane sales, and has maintained her position as the largest importer of Australian wool for the season. This year’s turnover at the English mills has proceeded in good volume, some expansion having occurred in the British exports of woollen fabrics compared with a year previously. Turnover at the Bradford Conditioning House for the four months ended April was 20,369,4871 b. The total was 789,1341 b below the 1932 figures for the period, but wae 5,000,0001 b greater than in 1931. ine .Volume of business in Great Britain has, on the whole, been well sustained, since England went off the gold standard in September. 1931, and subsequently placed a tariff on imports. That improvement is demonstrated by her increased wool requirements of late years. From July; 1 to the end of March this season the quantity of imported wool retained for use in the United Kingdom was L 239.029 bales. During the same period of 1929-30 the quantity was 995,505 bales. England, through the London eales, and through the sorted wools which she sells to foreign customers, is also a large exporter of the staple. Her total imports for the nine months quoted were 1,968,325 bales, but she shipped 729.296 bales to other countries. Her combined export sales of tops, yarns, fabrics, her own consumption of them, and her foreign business in the raw material make her the world s largest trader in the wool industry. Stocks of Tbps

A reduction is reported of about 2,200,0001 b in the quantity of top* on hand at Continental centres at the close of May. That decrease is welcome as the stock of tops on hand at the end of April was 73,783,6001 b a record quantity, and 27 per cent, higher than at the same date of 1932. The total in France, though - greater than, a year previously,, wag not disquieting, but in Germany the stock , was 50 per cent, larger than 12 months previously, but 75 per cent, of the increase waa crossbreds. The position of merinos was conwequent-ly not disturbing. In Belgium and Italy an increase in the holdings was also noticeable. Viewed alone the European stocks of tops would appear to have been great enough fo prevent any rise in prices. If trade had not increased and shown prospects of iurther improvement, they would, no doubt, have proved a depressing factor on the wool market. Fortunately-business abroad has brightened and offset the possible, illeffect of heavy stocks of tops. The point must also be kept in mind that the tendency of late years has been for retailers and merchants to keep: their stocks of good* on low levels. Expansion in demand for mill products would qmckly diminish the quantity of tops on hand.

High Exchange Commenting on the New Zealand trade returns for the year ended March 31, the Melbourne Argue states that the expedient of raising prices by depreciating currency has not proved as profitable as the krO\ernment hoped, and it has caused a great deal tbf uncertainty in commerce in New- Zealand; With a consistently favourable balance,, of trade mifticilent to pi-ovide more than enough for interest payments abroad, the economic need for a high exchange rate did not fact that a change in the rate was abritrary has made traders very wary, because it might become expedient for the Government to reverse its policy at any time. Traders are still .very chary ot undertaking commitments involve transfers-o! money to and from New Zealand: and importers there are reported to be working on a weekly basis because they are fearful of a sudden return to a 10 per cent, rate of exchange. To-day the Australian primary producers are reaping the benefit of exchange, said Mr J. R- B l rtcr ’ f dent of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. “The fact that some, day exchange would be normal again, should be an'incentive to continue to increa e efficiency. If the volume of exports kept up, when prices rose, the rate ot ex change would naturally come down, .but this would reduce the amount required for interest on overseas loans, and so help Government* to balance their Budgets. The removal of exchange to-day wou d, in fact, probably -wipe out Budget de ficits.”

Egg Export Remarkable evidence of the expansion of the egg export trade, was-offered at last week's conference, of producers , and agents in Wellington. It was, estimated that the surplus for sale overseas in the coming season will be 360,000 .dozen, against 157,920 dozen exported last year. These may seem small figures compared with the poultry industry of Denmark, for instance, a country whose 20,000,000 hens give an enormous yield. I he sales of eggs to Great Britain alone exceed £4 000.000 annually. Difficulties in the way of emulating Denmark s record, or the almost equally impressive egg trade of Holland, are principally distance from the market and dearer foodstuffs, paiticularly wheat. But New Zealand poultrymen’s exports are far more important to the industry than can be measured by the figures. They save the local and principal. market from heavy seasonal gluts and sharp price declines from which recovery is .slow. This consicler«ition is probably the ruling one at present in cultivating the overseas: trade, but sooner or. later organisation is bound to make ot the export trade an end in itself. WINTER CARE OF EWE FLOCKS * CAREFUL MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL There is no,doubt that careful management and judicious feeding of breeding ewes during the autumn and winter play an-important part in determining the losses of ewes and the lambing results, on which no small portion of the profit from the flock depends, states a bulletin issuejl by the Massey Agricultural College over the name of R. Dossor, _ , The general supervision and exercise of the breeding flock during pregnancy is frequently neglected. Rotational grazing for the purpose of exercise and change of” pasture, plus daily inspection, is the ideal. These practices will not only reduce losses due to sheep being cast, but will enable a close watch to be kept on the general health and condition of the flock. Diseases and ailments can be detected as soon as they appear, and early treatment and the necessary precautions against infection applied. This is of par-

ticular importance in cases where sleeping sickness, bearing trouble and footrot are common, and where individual treatment is practicable. Whenever possible, sick or ailing ewes should be removed from the main flock, not onlv to assist the management of the animals but also as a precaution against the spread of disease. A small topdressed hospital paddock will be found extremely useful for such sheep. At all times careful handling of pregnant ewes is essential; nervousness; exhaustion, dog bites, hard driving, careless mustering and crushing through gateways are all frequent causes of trouble and losses before and after lambing. Carcasses, skins, and decaying flesh are sources of foul ground, blood-poisoning, provide breeding places for blow-flies, ana are an attraction to stray dogs. Material of this nature should be buried or burnt at the earliest opportunity. _ . Quite fequently blood-poisoning 19 spread and losses caused through lack of care on the part of the shepherd. Attei handling dead or sick animals he should always disinfect his hands before attending to other sheep. , ~ Feeding.—To ensure the best results the breeding flock should be kept as near y as possible in the same condition throughout the year. Changes in condition, more especially as between early autumn and later winter, are the causes of most of the more common toubles affecting ewes in lamb. The ideal condition can be termed '“fit”; not too fat nor too thin: not sluggish and lazy, but fresh and lull of vigour. To obtain this condition the feeding and exercise of the animal is or, first importance at all times. As the time of parturition approaches, the ewes require increasing quantities of nutritious feed, and it will be found of great benefit if it is possible to put the ewes on fresh feed just prior to lambing, as this will promote a good flow of milk and keep their digestive system in good working oder. . Pregnant ewes require a plentiful supply of good fresh water, and free access to rock salt or mineral licks will be to their advantage.

THE COMMON DISEASES. The most common diseases found among pregnant ewes are: (a) Sleeping sickness; (b) bearing trouble; (c) antepartum paralysis; and (d) abortion. Sleeping sickness: Sleeping sickness makes its appearance more especially in wet and very hard seasons and more frequently on rich, heavy land. For tins disease there is no satisfactory cure except a change of feed, especially a laxative diet such as swedes or chou mollier, which is usually not available or the trouble would not have occurred. Success was obtained, however, on the college farm during the very wet winter of 1931, when sleeping sickness was prevalent, by moving the ewes to a fresh paddock each day. These frequent changes prevented the paddock from becoming dirty and puddled by the sheep, and provided a reasonably fresh bite daily. At the first signs of the disease it is advisable to move the sheep on to the freshest feed avail-Ante-partum paralysis: As the symptoms of this disease are very similar to those of sleeping sickness, the two are frequently confused. The distinctive difference is that sheep attacked with sleeping sickness have a very foetid breath, while those attacked by ante-partum paralysis arc normal in this respect. This disease most frequently attacks excessively fat ewes with twin lambs. In this case autumn management is of first importance, but exercise during pregnancy will considerably reduce the risk of atThe most satisfactory treatment of affected sheep is to cause abortion, which in most cases can be done by the use of Epsom salts and molasses.., Abortion: With sheep abortion is generally caused by careless and rough handling. In all eases the foetus should be buried or destroyed, and if- possible the affected ewe segregated from the flock. Insufficient and inefficient care of the flock is responsible for many of the losses and low lambing percentages obtained among grassfed breeding ewes. It is suggested that there are case* where more labour could be profitably employed, even at present values, as many deaths among ewes and lambs can definitely be traced to lack of reasonable shepherding. There is a distinct tendency in these hard times to give a shepherd too many sheep to look after. There is obviously a point where this becomes a losing proposition, and, it would pay to put on more help. Circumstances alter cases, and the number of sheep which one man can look after cannot be laid down dogmatically: the matter is one which each farmer must decide for himself in the light of . his conditions. the present rate of wages, and the values of sheep and wool. However, if an account is kept of losses and a pregnant ewe is valued at £1 and a lamb at ss, it will be found in a number of eases that more attention at lambing time.would have proved a sound investment, SOVIET GOODS TONS OF RUSSIAN BUTTER IN SPITE OF THE EMBARGO QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. (From Od* Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 26. Since the embargo on certain Russian imports came into force, 10,286 cwt of Russian butter have been imported under licenses issued under section 2 of the Act imposing the embargo, and licenses' are shortly to be issued for the importation of a further IO.OOOcwt. All this butter was substantially paid for before the Royal Proclamation of April 19, said Mr Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) in the House of Commons yesterday in. answer to a question by Sir Gifford Fox, who inquired whether Mr Runciman was not aware of the urgent necessity of restricting these imports. Mr Runciman; I am quite well aware of that. If it could be shown to be to the detriment of the persons against, whom these restrictions are directed that is all very well, but I do not like to penalise our own people. Announcing the arrival of over 800 tons on May 22, the Daily Express says this cargo was sent from Leningrad in the Soviet ship Felix Dzerjinsky, to the order of co-operative societies and a private firm of importers. The cargo was to be unloaded under a special Board of Trade license.

An official announcement was issued by the Board of Trade on May 21 to the effect that on and after May 22 a fee of £5 will be charged for licenses authorising the importation of goods prohibited under the Russian Goods Import Prohibition Act, 1933. The Felix Dzerjinsky was the seventh Russian ship to arrive in the Pool since the embargo was imposed about three weeks ago. Her eargh was the second lot of butter to bo unloaded here in that period. It Is known, however, that there arc 40.000 tons of Siberian butter in Leningrad at the present time awaiting shipment to this country. It is expected that the bulk of the, butter in the Felix Dzcrjinsky will he put in cold storage for about two months.

EVADING THE EMBARGO. Hundreds of kinds of Russian articles are still able to enter this country in spite of the embargo. This is, in effect, the reply given by the Board of Trade to the protests and inquiries of British manufacturers,since the imposition of the embargo on April 20. “ It is quite true that matches, toys, chairs and so on can come in free, except for the ordinary tariff,” a Board of Trade 'official told a Morning Post representaItivc. “Eighty per cent, of Russian exports to England are included under a few products, such as cotton, timber and maize. To make sure that these do not reach us from Russia we have to inspect all cotton, timber and maize from every country to see whether it has not been shipped there from Russia, en route to England* in order to dodge the embargo. “If we extended this examination of all foreign exports to Britain resembling the remaining 20 per cent, of Russia’s former exports to us, we should have to examine practically every article imported, at enormous cost of time and money. So Russia has been free to send along the odd consignments of chairs, desks, matches, and other articles which she exports only in trifling quantities.” KEEN COMPETITORS AND LOW PRICES.

Alarm is felt in certain British trades that Russia, desperately in need of money, may concentrate more and more on some of these “ side-lines ” —at the usual dumping prices.

“ It was only a year or so ago,” Mr Herbert Taylor, Secretary of the British Furniture Trades Joint Committee, stated to the Morning Post, “ that a shipload of 25,000 chairs from Russia arrived in London. They were bought by the importers at 2s Gd apiece, and within two or three weeks all had been re-sold. From time to time there have been fresh shipments. Recently there was a typical case of a Russian desk, of a kind which we should make a good deal better, but sell at £6, being bought by an importer for 39s and sold by an intermediary for £3 16s.

“ However much we strive to reduce prices, the Russian importers say they can always go lower, as ‘ labour and material costs ore almost negligible ’ — showing the conditions under which Russian goods are made. Their avowed ambition is to work their way up from desks and chairs through every grade of furniturq to bedroom suites, competing with us in a field where we are already fighting a desperate battle with the Italians. The Board of Trade refuse to treat Russian chairs and desks as ‘ articles manufactured wholly or in part from wood or timber,’ and continue to admit them.”