THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RU3TICUS,

Item* at interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcome®. They sWwJd be »dir«wed to Rustjcus, Otago Daily T>m««> Dunodk*

it is oil a comparison of the season's results that the competition will be decided. Secretaries are asked to see that the closing dates are fixed as soon as possible following the recommendation from the committee that this sbould be approximately towards the end of May, and that after all entries have been received to send particulars to the joint secretaries, P.O. Box 693, Dunedin. These particulars are required in order that arrangements for the judging can be made. The officers of the Department of Agriculture have again kindly undertaken this task, and notice of dates will be given later. It is hoped that a much larger number of members and farmers interested will attend the judging, as much of the value of the competition is lost if the judges' reports, when judging is in progress, are not heard and discussed.

The director of the Canterbury Agricultural College has issued an invitation to farmers and others interested to attend the short course, which will be held at the college from July 6 to 16 inclusive. As in the past a most comprehensive Series of lectures, demonstrations, and field days has been arranged, and the evenings will be devoted to popular lectures and discussions. Arrangements have been made for a limited number of those attending the course to reside at the college, but as this accommodation is strictly limited early application is necessary. A regular bus service will convey those who have to arrange their accommodation in Christchurch. The fee for the course is £3 3s. Where board and accommodation is required the charge will be £5 ss. Intending students ore advised to send in their enrolment to the director of the college as early as possible. Copies of the enrolment form may also be obtained from the provincial secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, Box 693, Dunedin. * * * One of the matters to be discussed at the Dominion Conference to be held in Wellington in July next is a notice of motion in regard to the raising of the subscription to the Farmers' Union to 255. In explaining the reason behind the motion the Dominion president (Mr W. W. Mulholland) points out that during the years of the depression the levy to the Dominion office from the provinces was reduced from 7s 6d to ss. Now that levy has been reinstated it leaves a smaller margin for the provinces to work on, and the tendency will be for certain services to be curtailed. He mentioned that the subscription to the Workers' Union was at least 265, and that their employers should not object to paying 255. This matter will be discussed at the forthcoming Otago Conference, when branches will be given an opportunity of registering their approval or otherwise. With all due deference to the Dominion president, it seems rather against the principles we are fighting in regard to rising costs, and we submit that just as effective a solution could be arrived at by a continued drive for increased membership. In Otago it is gratifying to know that the intensive organising work is having excellent results, and the objective in view of raising the membership to more than 2000 by the end of 1937 now appears to be within the bounds of possibility. An increased membership means an increasing service to members and to farmers as a whole, so that what work has been entailed by the many enthusiastic organising committees will eventually be more than repaid in the benefits which will accrue. It is hoped that those efforts will not be relaxed until every eligible farmer in Otago is a member. When that happy goal is reached there will not be any need to consider the raising of subscriptions.

The following have been appointed delegates for their respective branches to the Provincial Conference to be held on June 8 and 9:—Messrs D. M. Davidson, J. T. M'Haffie (Clinton), Allan Maxwell, J. A. Johnston (Clutha), K. G. Sim, I. D. Revie (Crookston), C.C. Saunders, J. Swann, P. Mooney, J. Radford (Cromwell), John Muir, C. J. Spain (Dunstan), J. A. Rankin, J. Adam, M'Kenzie Marshall, G. B. Crawford (Green Island), J M'K. Morgan (Lauder), R. S. Paterson (Lawrence), B. A. Todd, J. H.Reid, W. W. Fisher (Maniototo), W. D. Mason, W. G. Thompson (Middlemarch), W. A, Yardley, G. M. Love, O. Edie (Moa Flat), J, K. Ross, R. Warnock, H. Taylor (Owaka), D. M'G. Reid. E. North (Portobello), J. Purvis, D. M'Knight, Captain C. S. J. Berkely (Palmerston), H. T. Davidson, J. George (Roxburgh), W. J. Marshall, James Wither (South Taieri), W. Friend, F. J. M'Arthur (Tahatika), T. J. Allison (Upper Clutha), A. Wilson, J. Hallum, A. Orbell (Waikouaiti), R. M'Caw. C. Vanstone (Waitahuna), D. I-I. Cockburn (Wakatipu), A. J. Cameron and M. Costello (West Taieri).

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS

REPRESENTATIVES OF ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE IN SOUTHLAND PROBLEMS DISCUSSED A conference was held on Friday at Invercargill between the members of die Southern District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand and representatives of agricultural and pastoral societies in the southern districts (Otago and Southland) . , , Mr John Preston (chairman of the Southern District Council) presided over the following members of the council:—Messrs J. J. Blakie (Ryal Bush), J. A. Edwards (Gore), A. S. Holms (Waimahaka), George Ross (Palmerston), R. F. Kirk (Mosgicl), and A. C. Cameron (lion, secretary, Dunedin). The following members of the agricultural and pastoral associations were also present:—Messrs W. Clark, John Macdonald and A. L. Adamson (Southland A. and P. Association), W. Frame (Wyndham A. and P. Association), J. A. Edwards (Gore A. and P. Association), R. F. Kirk (Otago A. and P. Association), G. Ross (Palmerston and Waihemo A. and P. Association), and J. J. Blakie (Winton A. and P. Association). Mr Adamson said that the Southland district had taken advantage of the public risk policy which had been arranged by the Royal Society. The Southland Society had insured fur a maximum of £2OOO and he thought the rate a particularly reasonable one. He asked If other associations had taken advantage of this policy. The chairman said he regretted that he could not given the information. Other members present expressed the hope that all A. and P. associations would take advantage of the insurance arrangements made by the Royal Society, The chairman explained that the rules governing the licensing control of side show men had now been gazetted and an arrangement had been made by the Royal Society by which {he rules could be adopted by all affiliated societies. Societies adoping the rules could merely register their name and the date of adoption at a minimum charge, instead of going to tne :.::;pcnse of having the whole of the ii:,cs gazetted.

Mr Frame said he hoped that all societies would adopt the rules as it might be awkward if they did not. It was resolved that all societies be 'written to asking them to register the rules licensing side show men. NEXT ROYAL SHOW The chairman said that the 1937 Royal Show would probably be held at Hamilton, the 1938 Royal Show at Palmorston North and the 1939 RoyaJ Show in Southland. Mr Kirk said he did not think that Otago could run a Royal Show, but I hey would be very happy to support a show in Southland. The question of running a Royal Show at Gore was discussed, but it was felt that this matter might be considered if Gore made application to have the 1939 Royal Show held there. The question of accommodation would be the difficulty. Mr Cameron explained that when the 1929 Roval Show was held at Invercargill the Government gave a grant of £IOOO towards the expenses. With the slump the subsidy to Royal Shows was discontinued and no subsidy was available for the 1934 Royal Show at Invercarglll. However, the Royal Agricultural Society was able to assist by making a handsome donation towards the transport of stock. Mr Cameron said that if the Southland Show was to be run up to the royal status it would be necessary to encourage stud breeders in the North Island to bring their stock to Southland. Whether they came or not would depend on the amount _ of assistance which could be given. After discussion it was decided that a remit be sent forward to the annual meeting of the Royal Society urging that the Government be asked" to reinstate the subsidy of £IOOO for the assistance of Royal Shows. Various remits which will come up at the next annual conference were considered and views of members obtained. A discussion took place on the practicability of judging sheep in rings instead of in pens as at present, the consensus of opinion being that the principle was sound and that this method of judging should be adopted, wherever possible. Mr Holms suggested that the sheep might be repenned after judging in the order of the judge's selection. It was agreed that sheep shown in natural condition should never be sprayed or coloured. Mr Edwards suggested that competitors should be allowed to cover the sheep travelling to the show even if they were in the natural wool class, as rail travelling discoloured wool badly. The question of uniformity of awards was discussed, and it was agreed to recommend that the societies adopt uniform cards and colours for the first, second, and third prizes. Messrs Holms, Macdonald, and Ross caused some amusement by urging the retention of tartan championship ribbons where societies were in the habit of using tartan ribbons. INSPECTION OF RAMS The following remit, came in for spirited discussion:—"That the recommendation be made to all societies holding ram fairs that all sheep be inspected before being offered for sale and rejected sheep not to be allowed to be offered." Messrs Holms and Edwards were strongly of the opinion that the remit should be adopted. Mr Edwards said that the practice was carried out regularly in the north. Mr Adamson said that he felt that it was a matter for the breed societies. Mr Holms agreed with this. Mr Kirk said that the Otago A. and P. Society also felt that it was a matter for the breed societies. Mr Preston said he felt that the responsibility should rest with the A. and P. society concei*ned. He said that i£ one or more breed societies appointed inspectors and others did not, then those which were not inspected would have the advantage over the others, Mr Holms admitted Mr Preston's contention, but maintained that any breeder would welcome inspection. The trouble did not come from the breeders, he said, but from the dealers. It was agreed that the cost of inspection be divided between the A. and P. societies concerned and the breed societies and that the matter be referred to the various breed societies for their consideration. The Royal Society's recommendation that before leased horses or ponies could be shown at shows, the lease should be for a period of not less than 12 months, and that such lease should be registered with the Royal Society was approved. Mr R. F. Kirk said that for some time Otago had been trying to get legislation enacted which would bring about compulsory dehorning of cattle. It was suggested that the attitude of stud stock breeders was one of the reasons why the legislation was being hung up. He asked for an expression of opinion from the members. Mr Holms said he felt that the inclusion of stud stock would be considerably opposed, and he gave reasons for the objections put forward by stud stock breeders. He said that he felt that the dehorning of cattle would be automatically brought about partly through the growth of the chilled beef trade in the North Island, but he was of the opinion that it would be unwise to force the issue at this stage. Mr Preston said that he felt that the rule had more chance of going through if stud stock were excluded. TRAINING FARM FOR BOYS The question of pressing the claims of the southern portion of the South Island for a training farm for boys was discussed. Mr Cameron said that at the present time the North Island had a training "and experimental farm at Ruakura, another at Flock House, which had recently been acquired by the Government, and the Government was now considering taking over the prison farm at Weraroa. There was also Massey College and the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North, The only training farms in the South Island were at Lincoln. Recent announcements indicated that the Government was considering the question of increasing the facilities for training young men in the rudiments of farming. He said that he felt that the time was ripe for Otago and Southland to press for an experimental training farm. Otago and Southland had special problems such as turnip diseases, pasture problems, and pulpy kidney in lambs, and some of these problems were peculiar to this end of the Dominion. The meeting unanimously supported the suggestion put forward, and it was agreed that application be made and the support of other bodies be obtained. On the motion of Messrs Edwards and Macdonald, Mr Holms was again nominated for the Dominion vice-pre-sidency. Mr Holms thanked the meeting. He said he was very keen about the Royal Society, and he felt it was doing very valuable work. He would like to see it going ahead, and would promise that he would do everything he could in its interests. The following show dates were submitted to the meeting:—Winton, December 4; Gore, December 7 and 8; Wyndham, December 11; Southland, December 14 and 15. Mr Kirk said that Otago's show would take place in November.

WINTER SHOWS

The following Winter Shows have been arranged for the present season: May 28.—Teviot District, at Miller's Flat. June 8,9, 10. 11.—Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Winter Show.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS

OTAGO PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION Sheep dog trials under the auspices of the Otago Provincial Sheep Dog Association have been arranged as follows for the 1937 season:— Tarras—May 20, 21. 22. Wanaka—May 24, 25. 26. Lowburn—May 27, 28, 29. Tokarahi—May 31, June 1 and 2. Palmerston—Abandoned. Ngapara—June 7,8, 3 (Otago provincial championships). Waihemo—June 10 and 11. Tuapeka—June 23 and 24.

TOPICS OF INTEREST OFFICIAL NOTES

Little Annie had been admonished bv her father for being naughty, When she went to bed that night she prayed thus: "Dear God, don't give lather any more children. He doesn't know how to behave to the one he has." * •■;• * The monthly meeting of the Milton Farmers' Union and the Women's Division will be held in the Bruce County Chambers on Tuesday next, June 1, at 8 p.m. $ >;-- * The Owoka Group have this year nominated Mr C. E. Norrish as their representative on the Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union in place-of Mr J. C, Gall, who has decided to withdraw. ' The Alexandra Group will be represented by Mr J. M'K, Morgan (St. Bathans), who was elected at a poll taken last week, when he contested the seat with Mr E. J. Iversen, who .is the present representative. It is disappointing to learn that for an important office such as the one concerned less than half of the financial members in the group exercised their votes. # * v The monthly meeting of the re-cently-resuscitated Portobello branch was held last week, when Mr D. M'Gregor Reid presided over n good attendance of members. Various remits to the Annual Provincial Conference were discussed, and a report on the Dunedin milk supply was preFented by Mr North, convener of the sub-committee. Messrs D. M'G. Reid and E. North were elected as the branch's delegates to the conference. It was decided to join the Young Farmers' Club in viewing a film shown by the International Harvester Company. •v ■"£ '»- A very good response is being made to the root crop competitions, which are again being held this year, although on account of the weather conditions the quality will not be up to the excellent standard of last year. Those who are thinking of entering, however, are reminded that the conditions are the same for all, and that