DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 7

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ANNUAL REPORT. (Fbom Oun Own .Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 11. The report of the Department of Agriculture was presented to Parliament today. The Minister reports a solid advancement in all branches of agricultural activity. Improved methods are being adopted, and virgin lands are rapidly being made productive. Farmers, adds the report, are evidently realising the essential fact that in these days of keen market rivalry it will only pay to produce the highest-priced article, and it is quality rather than quantity that must be their objective.

The meat trade comes in for considerable comment. It is stated that. in the early months of this year prices receded, therrea«on being disinclination to sell at ruling rates, and consequent accumulation of stocks. Some holders of New Zealand meat apparently could not immediately clear at a profit, and stored in anticipation of an improved demand—a doubtful policy, especially with perishable produce. The Argentine people, educated on American principles, allowed their meat to pass automatically into consumption, irrespective of ruling market values —a policy which enabled them not only to retain their connection, but to extend it to channels where our stored meat formerly had a connection, which is palpably a good thing for the Argentine snipper, and a bad one for the New Zealand producer. Increasing competition among freezing concerns in certain sections of the country has led to prices practically above a parity of London values being pa.id, and has in consequence curtailed the operations of the ci.f. buyer. Rumours have been freely circulated of Late to the effect that the American Meat Trust has been making inquiries in New Zealand with the object of extending its operations to this country. A close watch is being kept for any signa of the trust endeavoming to obtain a foothold here. It is stated that a steady advance is being made by the majority of our factories in the quality of the butter and chee6e manufactured. Unsatisfactory work has been noticeable in a number of cases, rb the so"roes of this weakness are known I have, K&yr th& Minister, every re&KSH to believe that with the assistance of officers of the department these troubles will be rectified. As to the appointment of an expert to supervise shipments ar.viv-

ing at Home, he says the official's duty will be to examine our butter and cheese as it reaches the Home market, to not© exactly how it opens out in London, and to provide an authoritative comparison with the grading at this evd, and the quality of the produce as it reaches the market. Great benefit should accrue, h« says, to the butter and cheese makers of the Dominion, and through them •to tha dairy farmers, as the result of this appointment.

The report states that with the increased attention being paid to longwool sheep in Australia, the exportation of stud sheep from New Zealand must increase in volume and value. The flock book societies, he adds, have not as yet instituted any Gystenv of inspection of sheep when exported as representative of the pure breeds, and, in view of developing trade with Australia, the necessity of the inspection of stud shesp becomes very great, as the trade must suffer, and good breeders "be handicapped, if inferior sheep are sold to Australian farmers as being typical of the pedigree stock of this country.