THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22020, 1 August 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

Byvßu'sTicTJS

FARM AND STATION NEWS*

WOOL SEASON V Roster of sales Wool sales have been arranged aa follows for the 1933-34 wool-selling season in New ,v. 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 .... .. February 20 Wanganui .... February 23 Christchurci .. March 2 Dunedin .. .. March 7 Invercargill .... March 9 .. .. March 19 NaDier .. .. .. March 23 Auckland '.. .. March 27 Christchurch .. April 6 - Dunedin . .... April 10 , Wanganui '•- .. -.. April 17 Napier .'.v..';. April 20 i Wellington ...V. April 24 The April sale dates are tentative only, subject to revision, and will &e held only if sufficient wool is available.

Tfce. Pastoral Industry

The value of the Dominion's sheep and cattle industry, as measured by the eiport statistics (f.o.b. values) for the 12 months ended March 31, 1933, is as follows: , '\ 4 e Meat .. .. ........ .. 9.250,001 K,des.and skins ...... .. .. 955,402 Other by-products (tallow, etc.) 843,488 S Total'yvalue of Industry for 12 months ended March 31, _;,„•,' 1933. ........ ... £17,463,184 The Season's Killings The killings.-for the 1932-33 season, up to June 30. in. the .North.lsland-are as follows (last season's figures upi to. the same.date are also.given),:—.

Dairy Produce , V' London reports state, that the hot Weather has had a tendency to reduce the amount of meat consumed at Home, but that evidently does not apply to dairy produce, as prices have firmed and . Wiedemann for both, .butter j and cheese is quite good.' A? considerable amount ot New Zealand dairy produce .is still arriving on the Home market, and as the incoming dairy season is not far away, the price being' maintained at present is of great interest to farmers. # The following is a comparison of the latest prices compared with those ruling a week previously, the mean of the price range being--,, given:'—.

Markets Generally In spite ■jjfitihe''; apparent failure" qi the : World: Economic Conference ;] produce prices have continued- firm and the-base . metal ifma^ketyhaß^a^/l^eld. c^fc.^,h; iglle|C; level Reached a few months ago. Reports -from'.'Britain: have :been. most eh;; ' eouraging, dairy • produce prices firming slightly, while meat has kept at a fairly good level. Prices in New Zealand have improved' slightly since last week, and reports from other markets indicate .a steady . demand for ' good classes c£ stock. Both beef and mutton values ha.ye improved, and although pork is not so keenly sought after, the growing bf.i,igs. when the short period required is j'«ken into consideration, is still a profitable uideline for dairy farmers. Farm horses and dairy cows remain good selling lines, and all. classes of skins and hides .are' holding up well. Sheepskins are now : worth about three times as much as was offered three months ago, and hides, tallow,, and rabbit skins are • all worth considerably more than at this time last year.- The London wool sales • must have proved encouraging to sheep farmers, as competition remained fairly keen throughout, and closing prices were .';.,' well maintained. ' :'. '

The Topmaker and Woolgrower The conversion of wool into, tops'for many years has been carried .out on behalf of those who buy the raw material for its manufacture through various stages into fabrics, but also to a great extent by those who purchase the staple for combing in the hope that 'its sale tn . the form of tops would show them some return for their effort. The latter activity is largely " speculative." but it is none the less Useful because of that fact. Growers want their clips sold as rapidly as possible, and the topmaker mentioned pays cash for his purchase and carries the financial burden until such time as he is able to dispose of the tops to those requiring them. Of all.members of the trade abroad he has probably suffered most severely during the past eight years. During the "latter part of the past season conditions have been favourable for him, Bradford 64's tops during the past five months having advanced 9£d per lb, being recently quoted at 31d, but during the bulk of the selling year trading circumstances were unfavourable. He bought wool in September, on the basis of avert age 64's tops, selling at 24d to 25d in English currency. From October, though marked variation in prices was absent, the market, with its highest point of 23$d in January and its lowest level of 2l|d in February, was consistently below September rates. The cry of late years has been to eliminate the speculative influence from ajj business, but the elimination of the speculating topmaker would remove, an element which fulfils a very useful function. He is an important factor in competition at the sales and assists in financing the clip between grower and the* manufacturer of. fabrics. His desire is certainly not to eee prices falling. Rising markets supply him with, his reward, and h* has rarely had them of late years. . t Japan and South Africa 'Of late, statements have appeared from time to time that in retaliation for the hi«h Australian tariff on imports, Japan was likely to transfer a good portion ot her wool buying to South Africa among ' o'hei- producing countries. tigures covering the African exports from July 1 to March 31 last show that shipments to "' Japan were 2,D25,0001b of greasy wool aiul 70001 b of.'scoured,. the equivalent ot 'v 9435 bales of greasy: wool of .Australian weight and 31 bale*'of scoured. Ihe

Items of interest to those engsged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits; with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They thould* be addressed to "Rusticus," Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

total, though small", compared with the 535,001 bales taken from Australia during the period, showed an increase of 57 per cent, compared with 1931-32;.. It would be impossible for the Japanese mills to fill their merino requirements in South Africa as that country only grows about 1,080.000 bales annually, and other countries buy extensively, but the figures indicate that Japan is, devoting more attention to the African' raw material. Africa certainly shipped more wool during the nine monthe of 1932-33 than in 1931-32, but the expansion in the exports to. Japan was relatively greater than that increase. - ... MEAT PRODUCERS' BOARD ANNUAL REPORT EXPORT YEAR REVIEWED WIDESPREAD ACTIVITIES. The annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has just been issued. Among the subjects dealt with are'the following:— REGULATION OF SHIPMENTS. _ As compared with last season, which was an exceptionally early one, the opening of the 1932-33 season was somewhat belated, due mainly to climatic conditions and labour difficulties. . As a.result, the early killings :df'" mutton and lamb, were much below .the previous season, the figures for the period, October, 1.'.t0 December 31 being as follows:-r-.;>" :

The delay in the killings of,lambs in the early part of the season created difficulties in the work of spreading shipments. It was not until March that the killings of lamb caught up to the previous season's figure to the same date, _ and then they went ahead, and' in the, middle of May the killings of lamb amoiunted to 561,108 more than up to the. same date in the previous - season. After that the difference became 'less with' • succeeding months, and !the total; kill: of'lambs for the season will. probably , finish up very little, if any. ahead of last year's record. The foregoing and other factors have contributed towards making the 'board's work of regulatipg the shipments particularly difficult. this season. On' the one band it is very important to ensure adequate quantities going forward, whilst at the same time avoiding the danger or a glut of meat on the Home markets: On the other hand, the board has .endeavoured to do-everything possible to avoid congestion' in the works, but it.; must never lose sight of its" main; objective to regulate shipments to the best, advantage, havinsr regard to the mphths'of...greatest consumption. :•*',:V.'. V "V^'. ' . " The operation of the ."cham" -system will iicilitate killings at I':the;j -various works, and-the board is-closely; watching this new development in our industry. The stocks of mutton, and lamb held in store in the Dominion as at June 30 during the last two years were as fol-

With the increasing/, quaiititi.es of lamb now being; shipped to/ the Home market the Rreai^st'«onsid6ira.'tion' must' be. given to the spread'oL arrivals; 'and the imperative heed of extending our trade in the provinces'and Scotland.,/With this object in view, in addition to allotting as much space as 'possible for loading to West of. England rports, ' the board has also paid: special attention to these markets in its propaganda -work, by means of its travelling representative, who, in addition to keep in touch with, wholesalers and retailers,-has been doing very valuable work in advertising our Jamb, at special "New Zealand Weeks". lft-'selected highly populated areas, and in other directions. -.,.-. ••■■■■. -'.GRADING AND HANDLING. During the season the board's supervising graders have given close attention; to the, grading of air classes of meat at the various freezing works, and in conformity with the policy of the board with regard to light lambs, the position has been carefully watched to see that no lambs which are below the limit of our present secondgrade standard are graded for shipment.. The supervision of the handling of meat tendered for shipment and the inspection of the handling at the docks in the. United Kingdom have also received the careful attention of the board's officers. . fit is-interesting ,$6 note that the Down 'cross lambs are gradually becoming more ; established in the vanouß districts throughout the Dominion. In the opinion of the best experts on Smithfield this is the ideal butchers' meat for the British market,'and their views are supported by the results shown in the district lamb competitions which are held each year for the board's challenge shields. EXPERIMENTAL WORK. The/" board has received copies of the report of the scientists who visited the Dominion some time ago to carry out a detailed survey of our frozen' meat industry, and these have been distributed 'to each freezing company throughout the Dominion, as well as to other interested parties. During the year the board has been continuously in touch with the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station m England, and has been kept fully posted on any scientific question which is likely to advance the interests of our frozen meat industry. The board has also made considerable investigations in the United States of America 'and elsewhere in connection with the development and possibilities of the quick-freezing of meat. During the year the board co-operated with Messrs Thos. Borthwick and Sons, Ltd.. in connection with two shipments of chilled beef, and it is hoped that as a result of these trial shipments it will be shown that chilled beef from this Dominion can be landed in the United Kingdom in a satisfactory condition. Th e chief difficulty in the transport of chilled beef is' the deterioration due to the action of moulds, and in the shipments above referred to every care-and attention has been jpven to this question, alike at the freezing works, in the railway wagons, and in the chamber of the carrying vessel. Should these experimental shipments demonstrate that we can land chilled beef in the United Kingdom in a satisfactory condition, and at a payable price, it is obvious that if we are to develop a trade we must concentrate on the right type nf cattle, and be assured of a continuity of supply. At the present time our beef production may be looked upon as a by-product of our sheep and lamb export

trade, in the sense that a great many of our cattle are grazed in the North Island mainly for the purpose of keeping the country in good order for sheep and lambs, and if a trade in the export of chilled beef could be developed it would place our beef industry on a more stable basis and encourage the cattle-men of the Dominion to improve the aualitv of their beef. PORK INDUSTRY. This Dominion' has probably greater possibilities than any. other country for the development of the pig industry. It is the largest exporter of dairy produce in the world, and there is the additional advantage that the bulk of the milk separation is done on the farms. At present the fullest use is not made of the dairy by-products. A certain amount is fed to young stock and to pigs, but there is still a surplus which should he made greater use of in the feeding of more pigs. Compared with Denmark, the dairymen of this Dominion, because of climatic advantages and our wouderful natural resources has been able to live on the production of butter-fat alone, and has almost neglected the potential wealth of the pig. In Denmark, on the other hand, both industries have been developed side by side until to-day her exports of pork products exceed her butter exports both in volume and value. For the past three seasons the bpard has been making a substantial annual grant to the Waikato Pig Recording Club, and recently a recording club has been formed in the Manawatu district, with a subsidy from the board. These recording clubs are doing very valuable work, and the dissemination of information as to their work relating to the management and feeding of pigs must contribute materially in the successful development of the pig industry, along sound lines. The board also fecently arranged for the recording officer attached to the Waikato Pig Recording Club to tour the various districts in the North Island, giving lectures and demonstrations to farmers. Information is also disseminated by means of wireless talks, publicity ami instructional propaganda in farmers' journals, special appeals by letter to dairv companies, and other means.

Last year: the Government. agreed to the. setting up of a. committee known as the' Dominion Pig Advisory Committee, representative of all interests connected with the pig industry, to be charged with the responsibility of making a complete investigation of the industry, with a viewto determining, upon useful recommendations, The board is working closely in touch with this committee, and its general manager is chairman of that body. Several meetings of the committee have been held, and valuable work is being done in the interests of the' industry. One important recommendation 'concerried the establishment of a system of - grading pigs at the meat export slaughterhouses and bacon factories, and, a grading system has now been decided upon and is coming into operation. ' « . ■ It is gratifying to note 'the marked increase in the killings of pork for export this season, which is referred to elsewhere in this report. It is anticipated that the total kill for the season will represent an increase of well over_ 100 per cent, as compared with the previous season.

The board is doing everything possible to help the pig industry in, this Dominion. In its shipping freight contracts it has always recognised that the export of pork was an industry that must be helped, and since its inception the board has specially arranged with the _shipping companies for a low shipping freight rata on pork, so that to-day the rate on pork is reduced to less than ■ one-half what it was in 1922.

New Zealand pork is the subject of special advertising at Home in the trade papers and elsewhere. Costs. —The wide disparity between production costs and the prices received by the farmer for his produce is still a very serious problem. During the year under review, the board has been closely associated with the Farmers' Exchange Committee. The chairman of the board,, who is at present in London in connection with shipping-freight rates and. other- matters, is going, closely into .the; whole position of cold-store rates in London and is cooperating with the representatives of Australia in a joint endeavour-to secure a reduction in these rates.

The board has co-operated closely with the freezing companies of_ the Dominion in regard to matters relating to, rates of pay and working-conditions > m the freezing industry. In other directions, also, the board has been working in furtherance of its policy of endeavouring to bring about reductions in costs.

As recorded in its last report, the board had been pressing the Railways Department for a reduction in its tariffs. In October last the_ board joined ivith other bodies representing the producers, and a joint deputation waited upon the Prime Minister again to point out the need for these rates being brought to a more reasonable level. In Februarj' of this year the Government announced a 15 per cent, reduction in railway freight charges on certain commodities, including live stock, frozpn meat for export, hides, sheep-skins, naif-skins, wool, and tallow. General. —During the year under review the National Farmers' Union of Great Britain proceeded with an application under the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, 192 G. for the marking of all imported meat. In conjunction with other interested bodies, the board opposed this application on the main erounds that such branding would depreciate the appearance and value of our meat and would increase costs of preparation nt the producing end. The hearing of the case has occupied a considerable time, and no announcement has yet been made as to the finding of the Standing Committee in this matter. The various Produce Boards and the Government met in conference early this season on the question of trade with the East, nnd as a result of discussions which have taken place the Government has been making further inquiries from possible shippers of cargo. This information is being considered at a further conference. The recent "Empire _ Fair at Hongkong afforded an opportunity to test the possibilities of a market for some of our primary produce, and the board promised financial supnort to freezing companies arranging exhibits of canned meats, tallow, pelts, etc. In view of the frozen meat restrictions under the Ottawa agreement whi"h came into force at the becinning of the year. the Customs authorities nt Home brought in a provision that certificates of origin must accompany all future, shipments of all classes of New Zealand meat. As a result of representations instituted by the board, the procedure- in this connection has been considerably simplified. to the benefit of shippers.

FINANCE. The income and expenditure account and balance sheet fully set out the board's income and expenditure for the year and its financial position as at June 30, 1933. The excess of expenditure over income for the 12 months was £7786 7s 2d. The accumulated funds as at June 30. 1933, stood at £c58,603 Bs. During the year the hoard found it necessary to draw on its reserves by redemption of £2OOO inscribed stock and £2500 Rural Intermediate Credit Board debentures. This was necessary owing to the reduced income of the board and the necessity for maintaining the board's advertising programme at Home. The'whole of the New Zealand Government inscribed stock held by the hoard was converted.to stock carrying the lower rate of interest in terms of the Government's appeal. During the year members honoraria and staff salaries were further reduced. A HANDSOME SHIELD SHEEP-DOG CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY GIFT FROM ORIGINAL ASSOCIATION When the Southern Collie Clubs' Championship Association gave place to the South Island Championship Association and the Otago Provincial Association the major portion of the funds in hand was set aside to provide a shield to present to the South Island body for competition annually. The order was placed with Messrs Moller and Son, Dunedm, and the acompanying, illustration shows the shield now in the hands of the South Island Association. It is of interest to recall that the Southern Collie Clubs' Championship Association was formed in December, 1913. The records show that the formation ot the association grew from a meeting of delegates held in Dunedin, when the fol-

lowing were present:—Messrs A. Scott and.J.P; Walls (Taieri Collie Club), Heckler (Clutha Club), Robert Matheson (Strath-Taieri), Inder and Cullen (Gore Club), and A. Cameron (Miller's Flat' Club). The following February an enthusiastic meeting of delegates from many clubs in Otago was held in Dunedin, and at this meeting rules were drawn up and the amount of prize money fixed. The first championship meeting was held on the Taieri. The association held annual fixtures at various centres until the Great War. Operations were then set aside, but resumed again in 1924; Very successful trials followed in various centres until recently, when it was felt the association had served its period of usefulness and pave way to the other bodies embracing the South Island. The shield will commemorate the old association. It will help to keep alive the memory of many of the doggie men who have long since passed from this world, but who were great enthusiasts in their day. At the final meeting of the association due respect was paid to the work they had performed in the interests of dog trials. Throughout the 20 years of the association's existence Mr John P. Walls, of Mosgiel, acted as sec- , retary and treasurer.

j Description. 1932-33. 1931-32. Beef (quarters) .. 420,757 150,349 Wether mutton (carcasses) 919.341 1,306,730 Ewe mutton (carcasses) 561,573 906,180 Lamb (carcasses) .. .'.'•• 4,149,858 4,175,140 Pork'(porkers; carcasses) 254,598 124,440 Pork, (baconers; carcasses) 52,049 19,628 Boneless beef (freight 332,668 278,263 Sundries (freight car- . 125,186 107,104 South Island Figure.* t . • ■■■• Description. "1932-33. 1931-32. Beef'.(quarters) .. ...j Wether ■ mutton (carcasses)' . -1,306 '157,450 .8 124,473 Ewe mutton (carcasses) 383,882 524,959 Lamb (carcasses) .. 4,579,779 4,417,537 Pork (porkers; carcasses) 2,085 . 661 Pork (baconers;carcasses) 1>559 1,346 Boneless beef (freight 61,121 33,620 Sundries (freight carcasses) ' .. v. ........ 61,134 66,710

.' ''."'/>;■■?. July 20. July 27. Butter— ' L^*r' s. d. s. a. Danish .. "■•■■. -.v'.V,,... .. 95 0 , 99 0 N.Z. (finest salted) .. 78 6 .- ;83 0 Australian (firieiji -« «!*•' Baited)' .,. ys;.';-:v .. 78 6 82 6 (finest: unsalte'd). <; 81 0 ' — Gheese-*-"-N.Z. (white):.. 48 6 ',■49 0 'N.Z. (coloured) .. .'. 50 .6 51 0 Australian' (white) .. 47 ;0. 48 0 Australian, (coloured) 49 0 51, 0

■1932-33. ■1931-32. Wethers .. .. . ;:'•':. - : 89,509 ; 231,201 Ewes , .. ■; 18,867 ' 134,571 Lambs •. •. .. 1,389,939 2,146,879

lows: — . , 1933. 1932. Wethers ..'. • .. ... 376,217 Ehv'es .yv ••>-'.< ,. • ;■•••' ■■• 37l;541 503,397 Lambs .. #. . . .. ; 1,399;800 1,424,732