THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3325, 5 December 1917, Page 13

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(Thom Ocb Own CobeespondentJ i W bile the west coast has again been enjoying delightfully fine weather, the east coast has been visited by. very stormy weather, and one of the heaviest torrential downpours experienced in Gisborne for months past occurred at last week-end. The rainfall was of a particularly heavy nature, and when the reading was taken at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning it was found that 4.5 in had fallen. This makes a total for the month of November so far 5.61 in. The year 1917 will figure in the meteorological records of the district as- an exceptionally wet one, as a glance over the rainfall returns will show: January, 6.28 in; February, 11.95 in; March, 2.68 in; April, 2.13 i n; May, 5.60 in; June, 11,19 in; July, 2.75 i n; August, 4.26 in; September, 2.10 in; October, 2.21 in, and November (to date), 5.61 in; making a total rainfall in Gisborne for the 11 months of 58.5 in. With over a month to go this approximates closely to the return for 1916, when a total of 66.20 in was registered, this constituting the heaviest rainfall on record- in Gisborne. The v rain seems -, to have been heavier on the coast than inland, and further north it appears to have been very severe, word having boon received from Mr Loisel’s farm, Waihau, that 7.70 in fell for 24 hours on Friday night and Saturday morning. The sudden change back to winter conditions will be detrimental to stock, more particularly hoggets and newly-shorn sheep. ' GETTING THE WOOL IN.

Vp to last week, when the roads in the Gisborne district began to feel the effects of a good deal of v. at weather, splendid progress has been made in connection with the bringing in of tho wool to tho various coast ports. It is reckoned there wero more waggons engaged on the work this year than in previous years. About half of last year's clip from tho northern coast districts is now in, and' it is hoped that tho weather will remain fino enough to enable the whole of it to be-brought in by Christmas. Some of this year's :lip is also in. In some cases, however, as" in regard to Hauturu Station, none of last year's and none of this year's has yet come in.

ORGANISING THE FARMERS UP THE / MAIN TRUNK.

_ Slowly but surely the work of -organisation in connection with the New Zealand Farmers' Union goes on, and at a special meeting held during 'the week at To Kuiti splendid/progress was reported in respect to the King Country branch. Already the membership is over. 500. There was a ring of optimism in the remarks of the speakers, and as farmers it was quite clear they recognised -that to be successful they must adopt up-to-date methods and keep abreast with the -times. N.Z. MILKING SHORTHORN. At a meeting of the council of the New Zealand Milking .Shorthorn Association, held at Palmerston North, applications for special prizes were received from Egmont, King Country, and Horowhenua A. and P. Associations, but were held : over until next year's allotment of prizes for shows was decided on. Considerable discussion ensued on the question of a registered brand for the association, and it was resolved to register a branch for the purpose of having it used on all animals that are accepted for the Herd Book. The secretary reported that inquiries re entering stock for volume 111 were being- received from all parts of the Dominion; also application for membership. THE COMING HARVEST. Crops arc advancing at a great rate, and ;t is no wonder that attention is now being ."levoted to the organisa'tion of harvesters in preparation for the important work of gathering in the grown product. In order to facilitate the work, the Labour Depart- , nont . has made arrangements with its agents throughout the Dominion to get into touch with the local representatives of the National Efficiency Board. 'Tlie department has also provided for a more complete organisation of its own branches in the various districts, in order that both unemployment ant! labour shortages may dealt with. ,For example, the police officers in about IEO small country towns act as representatives of the department, and they will carry on this work through the nearest district office where there is"a permanent Labour Department officer. Posters are being sent round to be placed , in prominent positions requesting employers in need of farm hands or any other class of labour and workers in need of employment to communicate with the local departmental representative. On receiving applications for labour or employment, the local officer, if he is unable to meet the requirements in the locality, will a't once jommunicato with tho nearest district »ffico. ) DAIRY PRODUCE. General satisfaction has been felt by butter-producers throughout tho island at the gratifying announcement made by the \ Prime Minister that the British GovernI menfc had purchased the whole of tho seaeon's output. It will be remembered that a

few weeks ago producers wero given to understand that the purchase was limited to 15,000 tons; but Mr Massoy has now made it clear that tho negotiations apply to the wholo exportable surplus. To mako the deal thoroughly satisfactory it will bo necessarv that delivorv should be taken in Now Zealand, and that payment should bo made immediately following, and not be made dependent on the shipment of the butter. The prico has been indicated as about equal to Is 5d per lb, and as tho prico is very fair indeed, butter manufacturers shoula feel Very gratified that they have boon ensured against tho irregularity and the risks of transport. SLIPE WOOL VALUATION.

•At a meeting of farmers in the Poverty Bay district, held at Gisborne, the following resolution was passed:—-"That tihis meeting strongly protests against the Government's proposal to altor tho prices and basis of valuation Of either slipe wool or meat without calling a moeting of the representative farmers of New Zealand 'to consider the question. This meeting strongly disapproves of the suggested alteration by the Government of the basis of valuing slipe wool which, so far as can be judged at present, will seriously reduce the prico to be paid for tho wool and also add considerable extra expense upon the farmers for charges up to the point of f.0.b., which were expressly provided by the first negotiations should be paid by tho Government, and deduction was expressly made from tho then value of the wool to cover these charges as then estimated. This meeting also desires to protest against tho Government conferring solely with the freezing works' representatives" before deciding upon any alteration in connection with the meat or slipe wool, there being so many proprietary freezing works the interests of which are not identical with thoso of the producers, and they can immediately protect themselves by lowering the price which they pay to the producers; consequently the farmer, who is the main person financially interested, is being ignored. Therefore this meeting suggests that the producers are_ the main ones concerned about these questions, whom the Government should consult in the matter before any alterations are made." INTERESTING RETURNS. The North Island lambing returns, which have been published, are, of course, not actual;- but, as similar approximate calculations were published last year and the year before, and found .on both occasions to be Avithin a thousand or two of exactitude, it is probable that this year's figures are just as nearly correct. The average percentage of lambs, taking the whole of the North Island only, is estimated at The percentage is not high; but, on tho other hand, the quality of the lambs is a little better than usual. In 1916 breeding ewes numbered 7,230,450, " and the resultant lambs 6,212,573—an average in 1916 of 853. The lambing of the flocks of the Dominion may be regarded as tho basis of our frozen meat trade. In 1917 breeding ewes in tho North Island numbered 144,968 more than in 1916, and there are 325,307 more lambs than in 1916.. The increase is certainly gratifying. OPERATIONS IN TARANAKI. Ploughing operations, which have been in full swing for some time past, are practically completed in Taranaki, and crops of turnips and rye sown. Some farmers are also intending to try their hand with lucerne. Experiments in this crop_ carried out in the district have proved its local suitability, and its high value as a fodder plant in intensive farming. It will come as a harbinger of good tidings to the owners of small holdings to learn that tho carrying capacity of land can be so much .increased —even quadrupled—by the scientific cultivation of this highly valuable fodder plant, and tho day appears not far distant when the man who will not avail himself of the results of the more recent researches reached in the experimental farms will have to make way for others of a more modern temperament. It certainly seems unfair that so much land should be practically idle and useless, because it is in tho hands of thoso who do not make the fullest use of its potentialities. And now that we have the war reaching its more acute stages, the problem is going to be one that will have to bo more' definitely faced in the very near future. TREE-PLANTING. That the necessity for greater activities in the matter, of tree-planting is becoming more firmly recognised is > reflected in the discussions occurring at farmers' gatherings. Mr G. L. Marshall, Wellington Provincial President of the Farmers' Union, is, one who is making every effort to have tho farmers' interests aroused. At a meeting of the union executive last week he expressed the opinion that the matter- was one of very great importance, and fanners should be urged to plant trees. He suggested that the P.cv. J. H. Simmonds should be asked to address meetings in the Manawatu, Mangaweka, Taihape, and Hunterville districts for the purpose of indicating tho value and mode of cultivating the eucalyptus. The suggestion was' adopted. FAT STOCK PRICES. .] There seems to bo a slight downward tendency, in the price of fat stock, and this was noticed at both tho Feilding sales on Friday and the Wcstfield market on Wednesday. At the latter, as at Feilding, the quality was first-class. Competition was good, but values were below the previous week's rates. Choice ox sold to £2 Us per 1001 b, prime £3 7s 6d to £2 10s per 1001 b, and plain from £2 to £2 4s per 1001 b. Steers ranged in prico from £l3 5s to £23 12s 6d, and cows and heifers from £9 to £l7 12s 6d. There /was an extra heavy yarding of dairy and store stock, but only the former were required. Best dairy cows and heifers made from £ls 10s to £l9, good cows £l2 10s to £ls, others £lO to \ £l2. Fat and young calves were penned in full, and last week's rates were maintained, runners making up to £lO ss, heavy vealers £4 10s to £5 15s, and medium £3"ss to £4 7s 6d. The yarding of sheep was heavy, and competition was fairlv steady throughout.- Extra prime wethers brought £1 18s 6d to £2. heavy primo wethers £1 16s 6d. Lambs wei'e in excess o: requirements, a decline in prices resulting. Extra heavy primo sold at £1 6s to £1 Bs. and good primo £1 3s to £1 53. At Feilding some fine bulls were put up. and disposed of under tho hammer, the prices working out at about 45s per lQOlb. Sheep sold well. A DISAPPOINTING NORTH ISLAND SALE.

Ono of the principal stock sales of tho North Auckland districts is Arapohuo, near Dargaville. Many farmers woro hopoful that the splendid rainfall of tho last week -would improve the demand for live stock at last Wednesday's salo; but advicca

received by mo show that, although the downpour was equal to a shower of gold to the country generally, it provided no animation so far as the market was concerned. Many pens of weH-conditioned steers did not elicit a. bid, and even choice heifers in some cases had the Bame experience. There was a very largo yarding, and mobs of cattle were held up on the road in rain, awaiting their turn for penning and drafting. Outside buyers and agents of the freezing works wore conspicuous by their absence, and of throe district butchers prosent only two wore purchasers, so that they had the markets ,in their hands. Tho war is certainly tellinjr its talo in causing cattle E rices to bo erratic, and many dealers have oen heavily hit in recent transactions. BUTTER AND MARGARINE IN CANADA. That Canada should offer a remunerativemarket for butter provided New Zealand could supply it is unquestioned, for, according to latest advices, thero is a prospective shortage. This is being met to some extent by an _ Ordcr-in-Council of the Dominion permitting the manufacture of oleo margarine, also its importation frer of war tax and duty." The arrangements made for tho disposal of butter in tho United Kingdom provide for the "lumping together" of supplies from all sources —Argentine, Ireland. Australia, and New Zealand, —all being distributed simply as butter through tho usual trade channels. Brands will lose their identity under this arrangement, but endeavours will bo made by tho distributing firms to keep in touch just the same, through representatives in New Zealand and elsewhere, with producers whose butters they have previously handled. With respect to margarine, the Economist (Longives the following figures showing tho decline in imports of butter by the United Kingdom and the rise of those of margarine (not including olco margarine) in cwts:— Butter. Margarine. 1913 4,033,358 1,610,122 1914 3,893,029 1,520,462 1915 3,806,743 2,049,137 1916 2,145,267 2,743,434 - Tho value of the butter imports in 1914 was £23,504,128, equal to 120.7 s per cwt; in 1916, £18,731,634, equal to 174.6 s per cwt. The value of margarine for 1914 was £3,954,091, equal to 52s per cwt; and for 1916, £8,951,889, equal to 65s 3d per cwt. Tho Economist does not give the British production of margarine, but s estimates the consumption of this butter.'substitute at 5000 to 6000 tons weekly—fully half of which is imported, and that mainly from Holland. SCARCITY OF LABOUR. Whilst in the city industries there is as yet no _ great scarcity of available labour, except in certain trades, the fact is becoming more and moro evident that rural labour is hard to procure. At Hamilton on Tuesday last a farmer appellant stated that he had a man to milk and work on tho farm to whom ho paid £2 10s per week and his keep. He added that he did not expect to keep him long, for he had informed his' employer that another farmer had' offered him £5 per week to' work at a butter factory, so he was compelled to offer him some further inducement to stay on in the shape of an extra 10s per week as a bonus if he stayed on till Christmas. He said: "As soon as he draws his bonus at Christmas, I suppose he'll be off." Skilled labo.ur is especially hard to get, for employers in country townships find it hard to realise that in order to draw tradesmen from the city, where work is easily obtained at 'higher than award rates, more lucrative wages still must be offered to men who hanker after tho joys and relaxations of city life. WOOL VALUATIONS.

• Valuations of the season's fleece wool are now proceeding at all the Wellington stores, and, according to all reports, tho wool is showing up in fairly good,- condition, as compared, with that offered last year. Hogget wool is reported as not so sound in staple as formerly, and not so light in condition, speaking generally. This may be attributable to tho weather, which has not been so favourable to their growth as last year. A largo number of clips have already been paid for, and as much wool has been put through up to the present as was dealt with up towards the end of December last "y ear - There does not seem to bo any probability of the congestion at the stores as was tho case with the 1916-17 clip, when a tremendous lot of wool came in right at the end of the year. The Wellington wools havo opened • up a little heavier this year than last, but best Romncys have realised up to 18d to 18£d for top grade 46's to 48's qualities. The. new season will bo marked in Wellington by considerable increase in storage capacity. Feilding wool is being sent to Wanganui in largo quantities, and the next valuation is likely to bo high. Feilding growers are realising now that it is much more profitable to make Wanganui its port instead of Wellington, the difference in railway charges being greatly in favour of Wanganui. PROSPEROUS TARANAKI.

An important event in South Taranaki during tho past week was the official opening of the Hawera Dairy Company's new branch factory at Tawhiti. There was a largo gathering, and the function was marked by several interesting speeches. Mr H. E. Johnston said that there was no doubt that the prosperity of Taranaki was due almost entirely to the dairying industry, and their excellent roads, largo motor traffic, ete., all spoke volumes for tho progress it had made. Twenty years ago tho best of land in this district could have boon bought for about £l4 per acre: to-day it was worth nearer £BO. and tho industry was primarily responsible for tho increase. Taranaki, and particularly Hawera, was regarded by commercial travellers as a very sound business area.

Mr HaJliwell bHieved thai; the dairying industry was really only in its infancy still, and he was very optimistic with regard to the future. Its development meant prosperity, nor only because of the money put in circulation, but becanso of the increased population that would follow the subdividing of the larger estates into small holdings. It had been said that Taranahi land was so rich that farmers merely milked their cows-, they did not farm the-land; but when further subdivision took place and scientific farming methods were more generally in v'ogue the industry would be a vory much greater and more valuable asset than it was to-day. The co-operative system had given farmers a wider vision; it had induced (hem to look_ at matters from other viewpoints, and this would bo a factor in the development of this great industry to its greatest capacity. Mr Burgess, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, agreed with Mr Halliwell that the dairy industry was bound to further in-

crease with the cutting up of the land into yet smaller areas; in the course of a few years tho largest dairy farms in Taranaki would probably comprise not more than 70 or 80 acres. Tho Chairman (Mr J. R. Corrigan) said that in 1904 the assets of the company were put down at £7700, and in 1917 they were valued at £40,000. Tho value of milk produced in 1904 was worth £16,000, and in 1917 it was £91,000. The. valuo of tho produce sold in 1904 was £36,000 and in 1917 -£137,000. 1 THE FAT LAMB TRADE. Fat lamb raisers are greatly interested in tho suggestion made to restrict tho fat lamb trade, and companies are unquestionably much concerned. At the recent conference of freezing companies in Wellington one of the topics discussed was tho suggestion that tho Government might put into effect a proposal hinted at by the Prime Minister in tho House of Representatives on one occasion last session, to prohibit the slaughter of lambs at some time before the end of the session, if it should appear that thero might not be enough shipping to carry from this country all the meat that could be frozen in the works all over the' country. The Prime Minister was interviewed regarding the matter. At present the outlook for shipping is reported to be so good that there is little danger of any interference from the Government with the frozen meat trade. If, on the other' hand the shipping situation were to change for the worse, it might be the duty of the Government to prohibit tho slaughter of those animals which produce meat which the Imperial Authorities do not urgently want, or clo not want so urgently as some other kinds of meat. It might be proper for the Government under thoso circumstances to prohibit the killing—of lamb or ewe mutton or baby beef. It is understood that the Prime Minister has not been able to give tho freezing companies any assurance that tho Government will take no action of this kind this season, but it is not now expected that any such need will arise. "PLAYING THE GAME." A very' interesting speech was given at Tologa Bay on Saturday last by the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, in tho courso of which he said that tho. producers of the Dominion had so far been paid the huge total of £38,000,0000 by the Imperial authorities. In referring to the' shipping problem he said he believed the great majority of the producers in this Dominion held the Home Government had "played tho game." Tho Government was in possession of information which went to show that there had been periods since the -beginning of tho war when, owing to the necessity of expediting the work of feeding the army and the navy, it was absolutely impossible to send any ships cut to New Zealand. As regards wool, 527,000 bales had been valued since tho commencement of the requisitioning in December, 1916, and ho hoped that practically the whole of last year's clip would be cleared before the new season's clip came in. Speaking of additional storage to meet that lack of shipping, the Minister said niatiy of the companies intended to greatly increase their storage capacity, and, in the aggregate, tho increased storage would amount to about one million carcases. As Minister of Agriculture, he was empowered to assist companies to the extent of £120,000, no single company to receive more than £7500. "Of course the Imperial authorities could," he added, "do absolutely without New Zealand produce, but had recognised that we could not possibly cany out our obligations to the Empire unless the productivity of the country was kept going as much as possible." POTATOES FOR AUSTRALIA. The conditions under which potatoes are admitted into Australia are stated in the Gazette for the information of New Zealand exporters. Potatoes sent to Australia will not be admitted unless they afe accompanied by an official certificate, dated and signed by a' responsible officer of a Government Department of the country of origin, identifying the potatoes, specifying the quantity, and certifying at the date of issue of tho certificate they were free from Irish blight, potato canker, black scab, warty disease, powdery scab, and all other serious diseases. Various other conditions must be complied with, which mean practically that the export to Australia is prohibited.