THE BUTTER SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 9

THE BUTTER SUPPLY.

F-YCTORIFS WITHDRAW FROM LOCAL MARKET 1 . PALMERSTON N.. February 15/ A representative meeting of dairy factory representatives, held to-day, unanimously passed the following resolution: " This meeting, representing dairy factories supplying the butter market in Wellington

province, decides (sinco all efforts have tailed to establish an _ equalisation fund to bring factories supplying the t local market to the same level as exporting factories.) that our factories withdraw from the local market on'February 28." Speakers expressed the opinion that the Government had failed absolutely to do justice to the factories supplying tho local market. It was insisted that an equalisation fund should have been established at tho time the Imperial Government bought up New Zealand butter, out of which should be paid any profits abovo the local price arising from tho sale of butter to tho United Kingdom. It was represented that repeated representations to Mr Masscy had been ignored, .and the factories must take the matter into their own hands. WELLINGTON, February 16. In reference to the resolution adopted by representatives of dairy factories at, Palmerston North that they will withdraw from supplying the local market on the 28th inst., the Prime Minister stated to-day that the local market will not bo allowed to go bare, nor will present prices bo increased.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

During the sitting of the Otago Land Board last week the chairman (Mr R. T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands) submitted particulars of the scheme for tho subdivision of the Gladbrook Estate, and the board approved of the scheme. It was resolved that an area of 35| acres be opened for public selection in 10 sections in Juno of this year. This is to enable residents to obtain small areas each of which will graze a cow. The board further resolved that it be a recommendation to the Government that an amendment be made in the law so as to enable soldiers on,, active service to participate with discharged soldiers in tho main ballot for sections, and that the ballot be deferred in' tho meantime. In the event of the proposal to allow absent soldiers to participate not being approved of, it is suggested by the board that a portion of the estate be held back till a later period, to enable men now absent to acquire this land when they returned. The directors of the dairy factories in Otago will learn with satisfaction that 9000 boxes of butter and 6000 crates of cheese were taken from .the stores' last week for shipment. The Lyttelton stores will be relieved to the extent of 13,750 boxes butter and 4600 crates of cheese. A big shipment of cheese will be taken from Bluff in tho near future. Mr C. Bran'igan, fields inspector, Ashburtoh, recently sent some specimens _ of blighted wheat to the Government Biologist, Wellington, who reports that they are'i affected with ear blight (Cladosporium herbarum), and also badly rusted. those diseases can account for the shrivelled condition of the grain. Mr Branigan, who is collecting the thrashing yields, states that the wheat crops are thrashing out muoh below expectations. Thirteen acres of turnips near the Wallacetown saleyards were sold for £7 10s per acre. The Wairoa Farmers' Union carried a motion to ask the Government for authority to slaughter and freeze horses for export. It is estimated that at 4d per lb horses would net £2O each. In sore plight from labour shortage, a district farmer with a ripe field of grain made a "round-up" of anything masculino possessing a pair of hai/jis (states the Wyndham Farmer). His commandeer included an itinerant dealer in skins and hides, the resident pulpiteer, a flaxmiller, and sundry neighbours. Splendid work was accomplished by tho team, the parson and the pedlar proving second to none among tho stooks. The numbers of stock passed through the yards of tho Canterbury Saleyards Company at Addington during the 12 months were 661,003 sheep, 24,800 pigs, and 34.312 cattle, being a falling oft in sheep of 79,394 and of pigs 3692, and an increase in cattle of 948. The company was able to pay a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, on the paid-up capital for the year. The catb'e insuranco fund had been carried on throughout the year. A heavy amount paid for_ claims had reduced the fund's reservo considerably. The National Mortgage and Agency Company reports having sold ' on account of Mr Hugh Russel, Glenledi, hie farm property of 753 acres. The purchaser is Mr. George Murdoch, of Waitahuna, who enters into possession on 16th March.— Bruce Herald. The South Canterbury A. and P. Society, it is alleged, has decided to support tho Gore A. and P. Association in endeavour to have the South Island freezing works' charges and allowances for by-products brought into line with those ruling in tho North Island, where the producer is held to bo more liberally treated. It is understood that Mr R. J. Anderson, of Kauana, purchased several wellbred rams and ewes at tho northern sales. We aro informed by reliable authorities who aro interested in the training of women in English farm work (says Mark Lane Express) that there is a falling off in the supply of candidates, and it is by no means so easy to get women who are anxious to go through courses of instruction in milking 1 and other farm work as it was when tho schemes wore first introduced. Now, however, another opening is

j presented to members of the gentle b«vl and they aro invited by -the Food Produo» tion Department to come forward and b» j trained as drivers of tractors. Wo shall, not be surprised if there is a good ro*. sponse to this appeal, as the driving of ! a mechanical machine has an attraction for a good many women, and tha rato ol payment is encouraging. It will be nccesj eary, however, for those who aro respeni sible for selecting the women to guard against the enthusiasts who think it would be fine fun to drive a motor tractor, bufc have no idea what the work really Is. We realiso, of course, that women caq. drive tractors because there aro a good many already doing it, and there are others j who would be as capable as men after their training, but after saying this the fact remains that the driving of a tractot over rough ground is no holiday, especially in the winter, and only women who art strong and resolute are . suitable for th< i work.