THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23929, 3 October 1939, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS,

Item* of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits frith a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to Rusticus, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin

may qualify for a second scholarship or allowance entitling him to a second year. Applications should be sent to Mr S. R. Whyte, honorary secretary of the Otago-Southland Council on .or before October 31 next. The first term begins on or about March 1, but students may enter at the New Year if they desire to do so. All club secretaries have been circularised with regard to these scholarships, and further details may be obtained from them or district secretaries.

Some time ago a request was made in these notes for secretaries to fill in their reports on monthly meetings more fully. Repoi’ts that have recently come to hand have without doubt improved considerably in this respect, and any improvement in the notes in this column must be regarded as the direct outcome of the improved manner in v’hich club secretaries have completed their reports of meetings.

INCREASED PRODUCTION

EXPORT OF PORK AND BACON NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT Interviewed regarding the outlook of the pig industry in respect of the Imperial Government’s requisition of all meat exports, Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, Ltd., stated, inter alia, that pig production for export has in the last two years shown a fall of over 80.000 carcasses. This in terms of financial loss to the dairy industry represents over £250,000. This deplorable setback in an industry which up to and including the year 1937 had shown such phenomenal progress is due to a combination of influences, of which seasonal labour conditions were the most important. These are, however, considerations of the past, but what of the future. We are now told from all sources and in particular by the Homeland that the greatest service we can render her in this time of her great need is to supplement and maintain her food supplies to the utmost limits of our capacity. We know from the experience "ained from the last war that because of its high nutritive value, its keeping qualities and compactness for handling there is no food more valuable or adaptable for military use than bacon.

During the last few weeks negotiations have been in train between the New Zealand and Imperial Government* for the requisitioning of all our exportable primary produce, in which I understand considerable stress has been laid by the Imperial authorities on their desire to secure the maximum supply of pig carcasses suitable for the manufacture of bacon. Britain has always imported the great bulk of her bacon reouirements from foreign sources, and since many of these are now cut off for the duration of the war. she is greatly in need of our assistance to make up this deficiency in her normal imports. The following figures representing the source and Quantities of bacon supplies to the English market for the year 1937 will demonstrate Britain’s cause for anxiety regarding her desire for increased supplies from New Zealand:—English. 1.942.000 cwt: English cured Empire frozen pigs, 504,000 cwt: imported Empire (Canada and Ireland). l,898.000cwt; foreign Imports. 5.028.000cwt.

It is therefore to be hoped that all other sections of the community will in the present situation fully recognise the great importance of the farming industry. and thus be prepared to assist the farmer in every way possible to overcome his labour and other difficulties to increase his production. It is also well to bear in mind that the dislocation of foreign supplies of bacon to the English market cannot, for a lengthy period after the cessation of hostilities, be restored, which apart from the major considerations offers New Zealand a unique opportunity to profitably develop its export trade during the war period. Pending a definite announcement by the Government, one cannot say to what extent our porker pigs (if any) are required by the Imperial Government, but present indications point strongly to a stable and attractive price for baconer pigs. In view of the fact that in the oast our exports of porker pigs have exceeded those of baconer carcasses, farmers wonld be well advised to set about to increase their normal food supplies in any way they can by growing suitable roots or cereals to carry into baconer weights those pigs which they have formerly disposed of in porker weights. The Government. we understand, is exploring ways and means of assisting the producer by the importation of barley from Australia, which they realise would have to be made available to pig producers at a lower price than has hitherto prevailed to ensure their general use as a practical supplementary food. A week or two ago a Primary Production Council was set up to advise the Government on ways and means to increase production in all sections of our primary industries, and more recently a sub-committee has been appointed from the National Pig Council to collaborate with this committee in respect of the pig industry in particular All sections of the trade and producer interests will give these committees the utmost co-operation and support in their investigations of ways and means to assist the producer in the direction desired.

SUMMER SHOWS

THE 1939-40 SEASON Summer shows for the coming season nave been arranged as follows: Uccober 27 and 2tt.’--Timaru November 2.—Ashburton November 3.—Northern, at Rangiora. November 9 and 10.—Canterbury Metropolitan. at Christchurch November 15.—Kelso November 17 and 18.—North Otago at Oamaru. November 18.—Taien, at Outram. November 22.—Otago, at Tahuna Park. November 24.—Clutha and Matau. at Balclutha. November 25.—Watmate November 25.—Winton. December 2.—Tokomairiro Farmers’ Club, at Milton. December 5 and 6.—Gore December 9.—Wyndham. December 12, 13. and 14.—Centennial Royal, at Invercargill. December 16.—Otago Peninsula, at Portobello 1940 January 13, —Blueskin, at Waltatl. January 20.—Waikouaiti. January 26.—Palmerston and Walhemo at Palmerston. March 16.—Temuka and Geraldine at

Winchester. March 25.—Mackenzie Highland, at Fairlie.

NEWS FROM CLUBS

The following meetings are scheduled for the coming week: —Wednesday, October 4: Combined meeting at Waitakl Boys’ High School of Five Forks, Papakafo, Enfield and Upper Waitaki Clubs. Thursday, October 5: South Taieri. Friday, October 6: Alexandra. Monday, October 9: Roxburgh, Waikaka. Tuesday. October 10: Crookston.

The monthly meeting of the Middlemarch Club was held at the residence of Mr G. P. Howell on September 21. General business consisted of payment of accounts and consideration of where the club would hold its meetings in future. After some discussion it was eventually decided that meetings should be held in the A. and P. hall as has been the custom in the past. The speaker for the evening was Mr W. G. Thomson, “ Cottesbrook,” who gave an interesting talk on his impressions received while on a visit to Australia some time ago.

The Palmerston Club held its monthly meeting on September 22. After general matters had been discussed Mr A. Twaddle, of Bushey Park estate, Palmerston, gave a most interesting and thoroughly appreciated talk on his recent tour of Australia. In the course of his tour Mr Twaddle attended the Sydney Sheep Show, and he described in detail this show. One interesting point was that 4900 sheep were shown, all being under cover.

There were 16 members present when the Lawrence Club met on September 23 to arrange what should be the club’s share of the radio broadcast to be made from 4YA on October 16. It was finally decided that the subject would be “The Care of Farm Implements.”

Members decided that the club would continue to hold meetings as usual and the club would do everything possible, financial or otherwise, to assist in the present emergency.

A very important meeting of the Dominion Executive was called by the president, Mr E. W. Barnett, and held jn Wellington on Friday, September 23. This meeting had to decide as far as possible at tire present juncture what line of action the • federation should take in view of the international crisis. The views of the meeting in this vital question are dealt with in a separate article which was published in this paper last Tuesday but we can emphasise the necessity for members intensifying their interest in their clubs. If every member will support his club to the utmost the federation will continue to function and perhaps be able to make some valuable contribution to New Zealand in particular, and the Empire in general, H- * • * The Centennial camp was also discussed at the recent executive meeting and it was decided to go on with ihe arrangements in the meantime. If conditions made it necessary the question of abandoning the idea of holding the camp will be decided on or before December 1. 1939. * ¥ * ' There was a fair attendance of members when the Roxburgh Club held its monthly meeting on September 11. After the general business of the meeting had been concluded Mr S. Frew gave an interesting lecture pn “ Improved Methods of Modern Fruitgrowinß’’* *

As the Royal Show at Invercargill will definitely be held the national stock judging contest will be staged by the Otago and Southland Council on behalf of the Dominion Executive Circulars giving full particulars and asking for support will be sent out by the organising secretary within the next week or two. In the meantime the following briel particulars will be of interest: — (1) Entries will be called from teams representing districts of four to six members for a teams championship, and a cup or cups will be pre sented by the Dominion Executive (2) Entries will be called from individual young farmers for which trophies, money prizes and certificates are offered. . (3) There will be six classes—(at Romney rams; (b) Southdown rams, (c) dairy cows (in milk); (d) beeJ cattle: (e) Clydesdales; (f) bacon pigs (4) Entry fees will be 2s 6d for first entry and Is for each subsequent entry ’ * * *

At the recent meeting of the Dominion Executive it was, amongst other things, decided that all unnecessary running about the c ° u £^ y discouraged as far as Young Farmers Club activities are concerned and that ail tours, field days, etc., be discontinued for the time being. The only exceptions to this were those major activities which were already in tram such as the Centennial Camp, interisland debating contest, and the national stock judging championships at the Royal Show. Invercargill- # ¥ *

Advice has been received that several scholarships for the Diploma Course at Lincoln College are again available this year. Each is 3- half scholarship, entitling the student to one years course at Lincoln College. In the event of the student doing well, he