OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 15

OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Otago Provincial Council, was held on the 21st, Mr James Bcgg (president) presiding over a largo attendance of members. The Taranaki Provincial. Executive wrote covering a resolution that rebates be granted to ratepayers who pay their rates promptly. —This was received. Tho Dominion Secretary wrote enclosing the following resolution, which the executive wish forwarded to the various branches, with a request that they forward their opinion to the provincial secretary as early as possible—viz : “ That the various executives if the union be asked to sot up a committee to act with tho Labour Department and Public Works and any other body of men who are interested in the supply of labour for next harvest; that in the grain-growing districts a census of the required labour be taken, and a meeting of officers of the departments and representatives of the various committees be called to ascertain -as well as possible whether the supply of labour will bo sufficient. If not, to make suggestions to the Minister as to the partial stoppage of public works, so as to free tho labour engaged for harvesting, and to open a register for names of those in town who are willing to assist.” A further letter re employing returned soldiers on farms was received from tho dominion secretary. It is desired by the executive that, if possible, farmers should intimate their ability to take men who have returned from the front for farm work, either now or at a later date. If possible, also, to state the nature of the work, whether temporary or permanent, and tho wages paid. It was resolved that the Government be asked for information regarding commandeered meat and tho disposal of surplus, after supplying the men at the front. It was also resolved to ask tho Government to arrange for as much shipping as possible tor produce. A letter was received from the Auckland Provincial Branch regarding duty on kerosene, tax on receipts and cheques, land and income fax The Crookston branch forwarded a resolution to the effect that the Government bo asked to remove the embargo on the export of wheat. —It was resolved that the Government bo asked to remove the embargo on wheat and oats. The Hampden branch wrote expressing satisfaction that the union’s request that the Railway Department lift stock for Pukcuri and stations north of Oamaru by tho 11.25 train from Palmerston had now been granted. The same branch also suggested that week-end excursion tickets might be used on Friday evenings, go that passengers may return on Saturday, as owing to tho Saturday half-holiday business could not be done by passengers coming in on Saturdays.—lt was resolved that tho traffic manager bo written to on tho matter. With reference to the destruction of hawks, tho executive desires to got tho opinion of tho different branches of the union as to a united protest being sent to tho Government against the Acclimatisation Society’s action in destroying hawks, and in a further request that tho protection of those birds bo re-established. UNION FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. A mooting of directors of tho Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association was also held. Mr Wm. Grey (chairman of directors) presiding. Several letters were received from the Department of Internal Affairs giving reports from fire boards and fire brigades. The Secretary reported that fire losses since last meeting had amounted to £3; that the total insurances to date were £236,122, being an increase of £21,453. It was decided that a reduction in rates bo made at the close of tho present financial year —viz., 31st March, 1916. A ronort of tho conference of the various mutuals, held in Wellington, was read, when reports regarding accident insurance, fire insurance rates, federation of the different mutuals for mutual benefit, and many other matters were discussed. COSIWERCIA L CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, October 19. Wheat: Tho market is slow, and from 3d to 9d lower. October 20. Wheat. —Chicago December options, 1054 to 1085 cents; May options, 1064 to 108 cents. At the tallow sales 1730 casks wore offered and 1520 sold. Mutton, fine 39s 6d, medium 375; beef, fine 395, medium 365. Wheat: American visible supply 56,897,000 bushels. Wheat has rallied, but is quiet. October 21. The Bank of England report shows that the stock of gold coin and bullion is

£58,733,000; reserve, £44,762,000; proportion of reserve to liabilities, 30.97; notes in circulation, £32,573,000; public deposits, £46,128,000; other deposits, £98,381,000; Government securities, £18,896,000; other securities, £98,618,000. Short loans, 4§ per cent.; three months’ bills, 41 per cent. Consols, £65 Is 3d. The following are the prices for Government stocks as compared with those ruling a week ago ;

§ 1923-30 currency. Butter ; The continued suspension of any Danish official quotation has disorganised the butter market. There is little selling, and its dearness is daily driving more consumers to margarine. Probably colonial will open lower than was hitherto anticipated. Cheese : Firm. New Zealand, about 80s. Sugar : Firm. American granulated, 32s 6d. Wool : Bradford tops show improved business : 64’s, 36d; super 50’s, 35d; common 60's, 34d ; 56’s, 32d; 50’s, 28-^d; 46’s, 25d; 40’s, 23d. October 23. Wheat. —Quiet; 61s is asked. Chicago December options, 103| cents to 100 cents. _ Cotton.—October and November shipments, 7.02^. Jute.—November and December shipments, £25 10s. Hemp.—Octobor-Dccember shipment, £34. Rubber.—Para, 2s s£d ; plantation, 2s sgd ; smoked, 2s sd. Copra.—October and November shipments, £24 ss. Silver, 23gd per oz. Danish butter, nominally, 160 s to 182 s. FROZEN MEAT MARKET. LONDON, October 23. Tho following are the latest quotations for all classes of meat, including ex-store sheep. In tho case of those not quoted the price is unchanged Oct. 10. Oct. 23. a. d. Canterbury mutton, light ’ Canterbury mutton, medium ... Canterbury mutton, heavy _ Southland mutton N.I. mutton, best brands, SG-G4lb N.I. mutton, ordinary, r,6-C4lb ... N.Z. ewes Australian mutton, light Australian mutton, medium ... Australian mutton, heavy —• Australian ewes River Plait mutton, lig.it, 40-551 b River Plate mutton, heavy, SG-72ib Eivor Plata ewes Canterbury lamb, light Canterbury lamb, second quality Canterbury lamb, medium ... 7J Canterbury iamb, heavy North Isiand iamb, selected ... North Island lamb, ordinary ... 7J Southland lamb, selected Southland lamb, ordinary Australian lamb, best brands ... Australian lamb, fair quality ... Australian lamb, inferior CJ Gf River Plate lamb, first quality... Bit River Plate lamb, second quality - Of New Zealand beef, fores New Zealand beef, hinds Australian beef, fores ... Australian beef, hinds R. Plate beef, chilled fores ... BJ E. Plate beef, chilled hinds ... E. Plate beef, frozen fores ... E. Plate beef, frozen hinds ... S. American sheep, light ... S. American sheep, heavy ... S. American lambs, first quality 7 S. Ameiieaa lambs, second quality B.f S. American owes Other meats are unchanged. Babbits.—Declining. English are plentiful. The arrivals of colonials are heavy; New South Wales blues, ex store, 24d. THE WOOL SALES. LONDON, October 19. The Port of London Authority has made special arrangements to expedite the handling of wool, which it is believed will relieve the congestion. The wool brokers have decided not to hold sales on Monday. MELBOURNE, October 19. At the opening wool sales 3200 bales were catalogued. Excited competition ruled for crossbreds, prices advancing by 15 to 20 per cent, on late rates. Good merinos were in demand at 5 per cent, advance, and medium 10 per cent, higher, but faulty lots were neglected. SYDNEY, October 25. At the wool sales to-day all the better classes of wool were in strong demand at full late rates. Greasy merino touched 18|cl —a season’s record. Greasy crossbred fetched 18d, and scoured 24d. Faulties still drag. BRISBANE, October 20. At the wool sales 19,500 bales were catalogued. Good greasy merino was from to 5 per cent, higher, while medium and heavy lots were per cent, lower than at the September sales. Crossbreds showed an advance of between 10 and 20 per cent, on September rates. OAMARU MARKETS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) O AMARU, October 23. The local grain market is practically dead. No sales of wheat have been reported during tho week. There was only one transaction in oats —a modest lino of A grade Cartons, which changed hands at a country station at 3s 7d not. There is very little doing in potatoes. A few small linos have been purchased at £7 5s and £7 10s net, on trucks. Tho stocks in tho country are light, and holders hopo for

higher prices, but merchants are not disposed to do business on other than a hand to mouth scale.

Victorian 4's Oct. 14. ... 954 Oct. 21. 95J Victorian 34’s ... 9U 91.4 Victorian 34's f ... 834 833 Victorian 3’s ... 76 76 Hew South Wales 4’s ... 95 95 New South Wales 34’s ... 954 ' 953 Non' South Wales 3’a ... 78J 784 Now South Wales 34’s § ... 834 83 5-16 Queensland 4’s ... 954 95 Queensland 34’s ... 914 91J Queensland 3's 74J 744 South Australian 3i’a ... 854 854 South Australian 3's ... 70 704 New Zealand 4’s ... 95 95 1-16 New Zealand 34’s ... 83J 83 * New Zealand 3's ... 764 76 Tasmanian 34’s ... 854 853 Tasmanian 3’s ... 76 1-16 75 1-16 West Australian 3Vs .. 874 874 West Australian 3’s ... 82 82 t 1029-1040 currency.