THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 5

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By Rusticus

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. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT E. G. (Kelso).—The use of sodium chlorate on thistles or ragwort will not seriously affect existing pastures. The remedy, however, must be carefully used. Directions for proper use are generally included In all deliveries of sodium chlorate. Commandeer Prices In the last few days appreciation has been expressed by producers of the comparison of wool and meat prices under commandeer, which was published in these columns on Tuesday. The contrast is one that is not readily carried in the head from year to year, and the opinion has been advanced by several correspondents that the comparison indicated should have the effect of laying many misgivings that have been worrying farmers lately. In respect of meat prices, general gratification has been expressed at the level of values fixed for mutton types that are not readily accepted for general local consumption. Wool Branding The justification for a further reminder of the method that must be adopted for the branding of wool bales under the Government purchase of the clip is the insistence of brokers, born no doubt of a failure already to comply with the regulations that have been set in this respect by the buying authorities. Wool bales must be branded on one end and one side only. This is more important than many growers may be inclined to concede.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

OFFICIAL NOTES

River attendant: " You two have been fishing for years, together, and now for the first time I find you quarrelling.” Angler: “Well, you see, it is the first time we have caught anything.”

Mr Stuart Sim left this week,.in company with Messrs D. H. Cockburn. vicepresident, and E. H. Murney, to attend a specially augmented meeting of the Dominion executive, which is at present in session at Wellington.

At the provincial council meeting, held last Thursday, grave concern was expressed in regard to Australian shearers, many of whom have intimated their intention of not coming to New Zealand this season as usual, owing to the difficulty of getting their money out of the country. Unless something is done to alleviate the position, the shortage of competent shearers will be aggravated still further. After a spirited discussion the following resolution was carried:— “ That the Government be urged to relax the regulation to permit Australian shearers to take their wages out of the country, as such regulations restricting the remitting of money earned in New Zealand are preventing shearers from coming to New Zealand at a time when their services are urgently required.”

A largely-attended meeting of farmers was held at Kelso last week when the resolutions carried at the mass meeting held in Dunedin on October 19 were unanimously endorsed. Mr Stuart Sim, Otago representative on the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, was in the chair, and other speakers were Mr R. S. Thompson, provincial president, and Messrs R. McCaw and A. C. Cameron.

At the provincial council meeting severe criticism was levelled at the Government’s action in Increasing the rate of wages for public works employees as such action it was considered would still further complicate the farm labour position, in that the competition for labour would be more severe than ever to the disadvantage of the farmer employer. At the conclusion of the discussion, the following resolution was carried: — “That despite the explanations given by Mr Nash, this council emphatically protests against the recent rise made in rates of pay to certain public works employees, and emphasises the fact that such action Is diametrically opposed to the implementing of the request made to the farmers by the Government to increase production."

Although the Otago Farm Competitions’ Committee decided not to award the usual championships this season owing to the unsettled conditions, it was left with the individual districts to carry on with such competitions on a district basts where this could be done without undue inconvenience or hardship, , .... The first of such restricted competitions was held last week, when South Otago staged a most successful ewe hogget competition. The judge, Mr W. T. Mathewson, Balclutha, accompanied by Messrs R. D. Stewart. R. F. Cameron, and E. H. Calder. had a long day, during which 11 entries from Tahatika, Walwera, Wairuna, Pukeawa, and Balclutha were judged. At the conclusion of the day, the judge commented on the general high standard of the flocks inspected and said that there was little evidence of the severe winter conditions experienced this season. The majority of the competitors had benefited from the experience of last years competition as far as the selection of the hoggets put forward, although in some cases higher marks might have been obtained had more attention been paid to the

elimination of sheep which detracted from the general uniformity of the exhibit. The judge was particularly pleased with the winning flock, which he described as a well-grown, even lot of true Romney type hoggets of a quality which he indicated others might well strive to emulate. The following are the placings:— Dual Purpose Class Name. Total (100) Mrs E. F. Black 95 J. Johnston 94 G. Green 93 W. Friend 92 F. J. McArthur 91 Davidson Bros 91 J. W. Dunn 90 J. White 90 W. Bradfield 90 W. Sutherland ~ .. ... .. 89 Wool Class J. A. Anderson 91 The official party were very grateful for the hospitality extended to them during the course of an arduous day, and this applies particularly to Mr William Friend, Tahatika, who entertained the party and many of the spectators to lunch, and also to Mr and Mrs J. Whyte, Pukeawa, who provided afternoon tea just at a most opportune time when heavy rain started.

COOL STORAGE

POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND A DIFFICULT SITUATION THE FRUITGROWERS* DILEMMA Provision of adequate storage space for refrigerated produce is one of the main problems facing the Dominion to-day. writes a correspondent, who says:— "Experience during the last war, when all available cool storage space was packed with meat, butter, and cheese, showed clearly that demands on this space were very much heavier than in peace time. New Zealand to-day, is, of course, far better equipped so far as cool storage space than she was even at the end of 1918. Not only is there adequate space to cope with normal peace time requirements, but also in the main ports if what one hears is true, several of the wharf sheds that have been built in recent years have been constructed with an eye to adaptation as cool stores under emergency conditions. “ Since the last war our primary exports have increased enormously. Our peace time storage requirements to-day are appreciably greater than were our war time needs then. Of the enormous bulk of primary produce that leaves these shores annually for overseas markets, wool, , skins, hides, and tallow are the only products that do not call for refrigerated space. "Whether the provision made in this direction is adequate, the experience in the coming season will tell. Much depends on the efficiency of the convoy system that is now apparently in almost complete operation. The loss of one vessel with refrigerated space that is booked for New Zealand produce can make a very considerable difference to the position, and in the early years of the last war losses of vessels carrying refrigerated cargo in the New Zealand trade were heavy enough to cause many headaches for those who were handling the allocation of refrigerated space in New Zealand.” It is authoritatively stated that cool storage space in Otago for fruit is about 10,000 cases. This, on the surface, may seem less than serious, but when it is remembered every other district in the Dominion is at its wits' end to provide the necessary accommodation it will be realised that under the present indeterminate state of marketing conditions for fruit the position is hopeless. It is expected that in the coming season the output of pip fruit will be 3,000,000 cases. Even if the Government can ship one-half of the 1,000,000 cases which it is prepared to buy at a price, the problem of storage until shipping space is available still arises. Where will the fruit be held and stored? Central Otago growers aro keenly interested in that point. Several correspondents have already raised the question. To date there is no answer or solution,