THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 11

THE NORTH ISLAND.

! (From Oub Own Correspondent.) I COW-TESTING IN TARANAKI. Cow-testing returns for the Bell Block Cow-testing Association for the period ending May 7, 1918, and the Mangorei Associaetion for the period ending May 17, are now available. They are as follow:

THE RABBIT NUISANCE. Farmers in the Waikato are now fully alive 'to the menace which threatens that portion of the country as a result of the very rapid increase in the number of rabbits which have inYaded the district. Indeed, the pest is on the increase to such an extent that a special meeting of the Waikato A. and P. Association was held to confer with Messrs R. J. Bollard and J. A. Young, M's.P., on the question. An estimate was given to the effect that between Tirau and Cambridge 'the rabbits take the equivalent in pasture of 85,000 sheep. It was pointed out that the machinery of the Rabbit Act was not applicable to the local conditions, and Mr Young outlined necessary amendments to make it -workable. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Minister of Lands in reference to the matter.

The menace with which the farmers of Waikato are faced as a result of the increase of 'the rabbit pest- was further emphasised before Mr D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, on the occasion of a visit to Hamilton on Tuesday. Reference was made by the deputationists to the damage being caused _ by rabbits, and the need of the Act being altered to meet the situation was stressed. The Minister, in reply, expressed surprise that rabbits were such a nuisance, and he was quite in accord with the suggestion that prompt measure should be adopted 'to deal with the menace. It was quite easy to see that if figures quoted to him wore correct, national production was being considerably affected, and in these times that could not be allowed. He promised to do his best to get Cabinet to allow them to introduce a special measure, and he felt that they could make out such a good case that Parliament would pass the measure. BUNNY BEING EJECTED FROM POVERTY BAY. The experience of the Waikato in respect to the invasion of rabbits is likely to be followed in tho Wanganui and Rangltikei districts if the example of Waikato is not followed. There has been a marked increase in tho number .of rabb'Js in the districts mentioned, and motorists frequently run them down on the main roads at night. While those districts are beginning to realise the danger ahead, the Poverty Bay district has been strenuously engaged for eomo time in trying to get their country clear of the pest," and it was onlv a fow days ago that Inspector M'Gill reported to the East Coat Rabbit Board that he had made an inspection of the board's district, and one portion—the Gala- j tea—was now as clean as it would ever be. j Everything was very satisfactory. The j

chairman offered his congratulations upon the satisfactory nature of things. A " PENNY-WISE-POUND-FOOLISH" POLICY. It is rather extraordinary that, while the East Coast Rabbit Board feel that it is beneficial and profitable to nay good men good wages in commensurate with their services for keeping "bunny" in his right place, the Agricultural Departement has showed inclination to adopt a penny-wise-pound-foolish policy in respect to wages. The board pays at the rate of 14s per day to rabbiters, and consider that it is good business to pay good men a sufficient wage to encourage them to continue their work The department, on the other hand, wrote protesting against the payment of 14s a day, which was too high, and not eondu cive to'the speedy eradication of the pest. When the letter from the department was received at the ordinary meeting, members of the board to see the meaning of it, and the chairman said that they must pay for good men if they wished to retain _ their services. Inspector M'Gill maintained that the board had better men than the Government had on the Tararua

side of Galatea, who were being paid only 10s and lis a day. An explanation was made that a reply had heen sent to the department to the effect 'that 13s per day was paid, but the men struck for an extra Is per day, and this increase had to be paid in order to retain the men's services. The board considered that 'the move was a good one, and profitable to the country. LAND FOR SOLDIERS. There has been some criticism in the Waikato in respect to the Government's purchase of Maungateparu for returned soldiers, and it has been asserted that the Government were not justified in buying expensive properties in place of developing unproductive lands. It was opportune that the Hon. D. H. Guthvie, Minister in Charge of Soldiers' Land Settlement, r/iould be passing through the Waikato at this time, as he had the chance of placing before the people the attitude adopted by the department in regard to this most important matter. The Minister made the following policy declaraion, which will he reai? with general interest in other parts of the Dominion : —"The Government's policy of today in this regard is to purchase land "of various classes, in view of the fact that it is receiving applications from soldiers in all degrees of physical fitness. Some of the soldiers are capable only of taking up small ai-eas for the purpose of beekeeping, poul-try-farming, etc., while others require farms for milking purposes, of areas of about 50 to 60 acres; others, again, have to be met with areas for mixed farming of about 100 acres or _ more; while there are those who require pastoral country. Another class of soldier settler whose requirements have 'to be met is the man more fitted for hard work, who desires to fo into the back-blocks, so that he may e in a position to get the full value of all his improvements by effecting them with his own labour. .From this it will be seen that it behoves the country to make provision to meet all these applications. With this end in view, we have purchased land for the soldiers in all parts of the country, and, after viewing Maungateparu, and consulting with those well acquainted with the district, and Jrave had practical farming experience in the locality, I have no hesitation in saying that, in spite of the criticisms, Maungateparu is one of the best purchases the Government has made in the Dominion. To show that the greatest care was exercised by the Government in this purchase, I might state that, besides the valuations by departmental officers, three independent valuations were made by practical men who had no interest _in the district. It is certainly not conducive to the best settlement of our soldiers by suggesting in the form of undue criticism that their inetrests are not being conserved to 'the extent they ought to beT I can only say that I trust that during my administration of the department controlling the settlement of returned soldiers on the land, I may have other opportunities of acquiring lands equal to the one in question to place them on., and, if so, I know that there will be no danger of many failures resulting." THE WAIRARAPA VIEW. !

It, is a singular coincidence that, while Waikato folk are showing opposition to the Government buying all classes of land for returned soldiers, particularly good improved land for those desirous of obtaining it., Wairarapa feel that the right course is being adopted. It is anticipated that as a result of the Government's policy closer settlement will develop at a satisfactory rate, ancPit is giving general satisfaction to find that the Government is recognising the desirability of settling soldiers on some of the high-priced lands of the Wairarapa. One well-known land-owner, Mr J. O. Bidwell.. of Pihautea, is to be commended for his patriotio offer, he having placed at the disposal of the Government his fine estate at a pre-war price, and has expressed his willingness to accept war bonds in payment. With such patriots as Messrs M'Hardy, A. P. Whatman, Bidwell, _ and others in the southern end of the island, the demands of soldiers for good land are not likely to be set aside, because some of tho northerners object to the Government buying high-priced land in order to meet all requirements. This is a question that requires to be looked at from a broad viewpoint, but I think tuost people who have given the question any serious

a thought at all, and aro not biased in any way, will fully concur with the policy adopted by the Government. To hark back to Mr Bidwell's offer, it is a generous I one, and there is no doubt that ho has set an example that might well be followed by other settlers both in the north and south of the island. If his example is . emulated, there is 'no reason why extensive settlement should not soon be in progress. ' CO-OPERATIVE SOLDIER ASSOCIAr TIONS. I It may not be generally known that ) | there is a provision under the Land Act i for the formation of associations of six or i ! more people to take up Government land t and work it on a co-operative basis. It has 'now been suggested in the Wairarapa that this provision should be availed of by i returned soldiers, and that associations ; should be formed in the district. It is • claimed that the Government would be only too wil'ing to encourage such associations, i which would be afforded special facilities for financing for the purchase of 6tock and the erection of buildings. So long as these associations did not interfere with the operations of the Efficiency Board and tho local trustees, the scheme should be a good one, and worthy of extension to other parts beyond the Wairarapa. I THE SUPPLY OF WHITE PINE. ! Special stress has been laid at tho conferences of Farmers' Unions and at other meetings that steps should be taken to conserve the standing forests of white pine for the use of the Dominion dairy factories, and the export of the timber to Australia prohibited. It has been pointed out 'that the latter (suggestion, if given effect to, might lead to retaliation, and Australia might cefuse to export to New Zealand certain commodities required by us as a people and necessary in the- interests of production. There appears to bo more sens©, therefore, in the suggestion that steps should be taken at the earliest possible moment for the "reafforestation of the Do- * minion to provide suitable timbers to tako the place of those now used in its essential industries, and which are rapidly approaching exhaustion." THE NORTH ISLAND. The past week has been fine practically all over the island, and it was quito pleasant on a trip around the country to see so many teams at work. Ploughmen are scarce, but many of the old hands who never thought they would be seen, behind a plough again have once again donned old attire and are showing ' tho younger generation that "dad has not lost the science of a good furrow." Prospects for winter feed generally appear to bo good. IN SOUTHERN HAWKE'S BAY. Mr W. H. Gaisford, the well-known owner of a large estate at Oringi, and president of the Dannevirke Branch of tho Farmers' Union, was again nominated for the position of president of the branch, but he warned members that he was now a soldier (having recently been called up), and would shortly have to fix bayonets and be in the charge. Proceeding, he spoke of tho lack of interest taken by farmers in their own affairs, and saiid he supposed 75 per cent, of the captiah of tho Dominion was controlled by the farmers, and why should they be overruled by the minority? Simply because they did not realise tho position. They let every Dick, Tom, and Harry impose on them, and as long as they got their price for their sheep and wool they were quite satisfied. They apparently did not realise that so many unions antagonistic to them were springing up. Tiiey had to combine to fight these unions, and they would do it. but did not realiso it. If they had got together and stirred Ihinjrs up they could have commanded the position. Mr Gaisford evidently accepted the position, with the understanding that when oiled up a deputy-president would be elected. A PAYMENT" OF MILLIONS. The acute shortage of shipping has naturally resulted in largo accumulations of moat at the various refrigerating stores, and it is estimated that fully £4.000.000 worth of meat is being held for the Imperial Government. This will be despatched as soon as bottoms are available; but in the meantime producers are wanting pavmont. ReTDresont-jt : ons were consequently made to the Imperial authorities by the Minister of Finance, and the matter was also taken up by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, who has now advised the Hon. Arthur M. Mvers, Actinor-Minis-ter of Finance, that the sum of £3.000 000 has been paid by the Imperial Oovernment to the credit of the New Zealand publio account in London on account of the moat stored in Now Zealand. There >'s no doubt that the disti-htion of £3.000.000 will bo v-rv" welcome to the of tho Dominion at this time, and will help to keep trade in a buoyant condition. KEEPING UP THE QUALITY. To keep up the quality of our dairy products should be the first aim and object of our dairymen nnd factory hands if the prestige Now Zoalnnd has already ga : nod in the world's markets is to be maintained. At times there is a slackening off in vigilance—not so much by factory managers, but by the dnirvmen themselves. Feed flavours and "flavours" as the result of dirty utensils occasionally assert themselves, and it is needless to say Ihnt this kind of carelesness seriously tells against the good

work of factory managers. In Taranaki, Manawatu, and Wairarapa a good deal of rigilance has s een exercised, and the quality of butter has been kept up fairly well. Whatever the cause, however, ■ the quality of the Auckland provincial product deteriorated last season. This fact was pointed out by Mr Cuddie, Director of the Dairy Division of Agriculture, at the Northern Dairy Conference. Mr Ouddie urged upon factory suppliers that the main consideration to be kept in view by those engaged in the dairy industry was the maintenance of quality. It was claimed that the falling off of quality was due to the fact that farmers were working under serious disadvantages, and also that the seasonal conditions had been abnormal. Mr Cuddie pointed out that the remedy for the trouble was systemr.iic grading of cream, and proper instruction, either by Government experts or by instructors appointed by the dairy companies, or by a nombination of the two systems. BASIS OF- REGULATION. A discussion as to the price of butter was also raised at the Northern Dairy Conference by ?. motion proposed by Mr F. M'Donald, representative of the Hikurahgi Dairy Factor}-, to the effect that the price to local consumers be- regulated by the prices obtainable on the Home market. While his company, he said, did not desire to embarrass the Government, it realised that the producers had notjhad a fair run In the matter of prices. They had been forced into the position of practically guaranteeing an equalisation fund for this year. Under the circumstances that was probably the best thing that ould be done, put the oircunyftances that had forced the farmers to agree to it woje entirely wrong. . Mr H. Wakelin (Whangarei) asked why' rf the Government regulated the price" bt butter, it should not also regulate the pnee of barbed wire and other requirements of the farmers. Other speakers took a similar stand, and contended that, judging by tho prosperity everywhere abounding, people could pay the same price ruling in England. There was one dissentaont in the person of Mr W. Greg!? (Kaitawj, who said his company held "it was not wise or patriotic to hold out for the English price. The motion was carried, there being only one against. ALTERATION IN HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT. The Lvawke's Bay Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union has decided to alter the construction of tho Hawke's Bay district, which will in future consist of three sub-districts —Northern Hawke's Bay, with headquarters at Wairoa; Hawke's Bay, with headquarters at Hastings; and Central Hawke's Bay, with headquarters at Waipukurau. FARMERS' COMMERCIAL BUREAU— A REMIT FROM HAWKE'S BAY. A remit, which is likely to cause some discussion, has been decided upon by the Hawke's Bay Provincial Executive, and is to bo forwarded to the Dominion Corr •f™n ce for approval. It is as follows: That the Dominion Executive bo re- - quested to take steps to form a farmers commercial bureau, and that information bo distributed weekly if possible to the i provincial secretary." I

BELL BLOCK.—HEED No. Cows. Milk, lb. ' AVBBJ i-GrES. Fat, lb. Eest. 28 348 .. 6.0 .. 23.42 30 604 .. 6.9 .. 35.02 6 200 .. 6.1 .. 1209 17 358 .. 6.6 .. 20.15 5 306 .. •5.6 .. 17.18 18 200 .. 6.1 .. 12.33 23 363 .. 6.0 .. 22.09 —Highest Individual Yield. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. 600 — . 34.80 690 .. 8.6 , . 59.34 225 .. 6.6 . . 14.85 , 660 .. 5.2 , . 34.32 390 .. 6.8 . . 26.52 480 .. 5.2 . . 24.96 540 .. 6.0 . . 32.40 —Lowest Individual YV.d.- _ Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. <w0 .. 35 . . 14.70 300 .. 5.8 . . 17.40 210 .. 5.2 . . 10.92 285 .. 4.6 . . 13.11 165 .. 5.6 . . 9.24 150 .. 4.8 . . 7.20 150 .. 9.6 . . 14.40 Milk, lb . Test. Fat, lb. Best Herd .. . 504 6.9 35 02 Worst Herd .. 200 6.1 12.09 Be3t Cow 6?0 8.6 69.34 Worst Cow 150 4.8 7.20 Average Association 330 6.1 20.32 j MANGORIE, -HERD AVERAGES. No. Cows. Milk, lb. Tost. Fat, lb. 16 437 .. 4.7 .. 20.70 15 348 .. 6.0 .. 17.69 16 297 .. 6.0 .. 18.03 —Highest Individual Yield. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb 675 .. 5.3 .. . 35.77 570 . 4.8 ., . 27.36 570 .. 4.4 .. 25 08 —Lowest Individual Yield.Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb 225 .. 5.4 .. 12.15 180 . 6.5 .. 11.70 60 . 7.2 .. 4.32 Milk. lb. Test. Fat, lb. Beat Herd .. .. 437 4.7 20.70 WoTst Herd .. .. 348 5.0 17.69 Best Cow 675 5.3 35.77 Worst Cow 60 7.2 4.32 Average Association 360 6.2 18.80