FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 13

FARMERS' UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. . WELLINGTON, September 18. The Farmers' Union Conference tc-day rejected by 16 votes to 13 a remit that the New Zealand Government be urg'ed to determine the commandeering of New Zealand produce at as early a date as possible, so as to prevent manufacturers and profiteers from exploiting the producers and consumers.. At the meeting it was stated that the Sheepowners' Federation had passed the following:—"That tho New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation is of opinion that tho Government should take immediate steps to endeavour to arrange with the Imperial Government for tho sale to that Government of tho whole of the export of meat from New Zealand for a further period of 12 months from the 50th June, 1920, on the best terms available, subject, however, to the Imperial Government lifting all their purchases from tho stores in New Zealand not later than 31st December, 1921."

A motion by Mr Vavasour with reference to sending Home a commission was lost. The conference then carried Mr Poison's motion, providing that a commission, comprising one North Island representative, one South Island representative, one representative of the farmers' freezing companies, and one Government official, should proceed to England to examine the conditions and make representations to the Imperial Government concerning the New land meat trade. Subsequently it was decided that Mr Poison (Wanganui) should bo the North Island representative on the commission, and Mr D. Jones (Dunsandel) the South Island member. A remit from Otago that the union should approve of the principle of government by an elective executive was lost, as was an amendment that the whple of the members of tho party in power should elect the executive. The conference carried the following remits: —"That this union protest-to-the Government against the double taxation of land in regard to land and income tax and the payment of a tax on mortgages; that, in regard to direct taxation, it is inequitable that the taxation of one class.of the community should be computed on a different basis from that on another, and recognising that only according to the amount of one's income can be v based the ability to pay taxation shouid be based on income only; that, seeing that taxation bears so heavily upon the parents of large families, this conference suggests that the regulations governing the filling in of-income tax returns shouid be altered to provide that the allowance for members of families be raised from £25 to £SO. and that this allowance bo made to' apply to all members of such family up to 16 years of age; that an injustice is done to farmers' wives engaged in actual farm work bv refusing to allow deductions for such services, and the conferenco urges the Minister of Finance to allow a reasonable deduction to be made in the assessment of the income tax; that land and income tax forms be sent direct to the individual, notifying him when the same is due; that this conference considers that the land valuations are not carried out in a' just manner, as improvements are not given a fair value, and the unimproved values in some casos are raised 100 per cent.; we consider that a local man should act with the Government valuer; that the Government be asked, to have the lands of the dominion periodically valued at intervals of not less than seven years, and .that the valuations of", contiguous counties be undertaken in rotation according to their position to each other; that the Farmers' Union disapproves cf any proposal to levy special rates on land-values for publio works,. such as hydro-electric schemes, as ' any increased value due to Buch development is already taxed 'by the Government and the local bodies;', that the Government be asked to reorganise the whole system of publio works, all'work to be let on contract bv open tender -where possible; that the Government be urged to amend the Customs regulations so as to provide -that motor lorries bought by local bodies for the purpose of road construction be placed on the same footing as other road-making machinery, and the duty thereon refunded; this conference protests against the unjust charge for stock trucks by the Public Works Department on those sections of railways which have not been taken over by the railway authorities."

I MESSAGE FROM LORD JELLICOE. : "WELLINGTON, September 19. ' The following telegram, from Lord JelI licoo was read to the Dominion Conference I of the Farmers' Union to-day:—" I deeply i appreciated the message of welcome from ' representatives of the Farmers' Union of New Zealand, and on 'behalf of the officers and-.the ship's company of the gift ship of the dominion and myself I shall be glad if our sincere thanks may be conveyed to the members -of the union assembling _ in con- ; ference. We are proud to receive such ; testimony to the work of the whole of ti^s ■ British navy and the mercantile marfro I from such an important body, on whose : efforts the prosperity and well-being of i the dominion so largely depend." The conference elected the following officers: —Presidert, Sir James '■ Wilson; vice-president, Mr G. W. Lcadlcy; Advisory ! Committee—North Island, Messrs E. A. i Campbell (Wunganui), T. Moss (Welling- ■ ton), R. D. Dunfield (Auckland); South i Iskuvd, Messrs H. D. Vavasour (Marl- ] borough), O. G. Stout (Dunsandel), J. i Bitchensr (Makikihi); treasurer, Mr W. J. | Birch (Mai'ton). The Director of Agriculture addressed the j conference on the subject of cattle tick, I saying that th-9 time was opportune to get ! to work to eradicate the pest, to which i end the Agricultural Department had drawn ! up regulations of a drastic character. The i regulations Mere adopted bv the conference. ! Dr Realces said they would be gazetted i as scon as possible. j The conference discussed tha Meat Trust j menace, and carried remits requesting the I Government to seo that legislation was ! provided in order to keep the Meat and i Shipping Trusts from operating in New i Zealand, and to take all possible steps to j prevent the _ Meat Trust from operating j in the dominion, and in the distribution in j Great Britain. _ It was decided to ask the | Government to inquire into the operations j of the ti*ust and determine whether the high prices offered in some districts for

pigs wore being made by firms interested in the trust, with the object of the trust obtaining- a controlling influence over the pork market in New Zealand, and also to publish the Dames of representatives of the Meat Trust and also the names under which the trust is operating in tho dominion. The following resolution was also carried:—" That in view'of t-ho Moat Trust menace it shall be illegal for any freezing works to be sold, except with the sanction of tho Government, sanction for sale to be given only after it is proved that the purchaser is in no way acting for or connected with the Meat Trust, the onus of proof to rest upon the" purchaser." Remits were carried protesting against tho action of tho Government in fixing the prioo of butter at 2£d per ib below export price, and urging the Government to make provision for the repayment of tho butterfat levy out of the Consolidated Revenue-

It was decided that the New Zealand Farmers' Union should inquire into the question of tho co-operative export and sale of Now Zealand meat on tho cessation of tho Government commandeer. It was decided to urge the Government to prohibit the importation of cgs P u bp into the dominion.

The following remit was moved by Mtf R. Dunn (Taranaki): —"That, in tho opinion of this conference, noxious weeds have become- such a nuisance as to warrant a complete change in the provisions for their control, and the conference would advise tho following: That legislation bo passed providing that on tho petition of one or more local bodies or a proportion of ratepayers in any district a noxious weeds board may be set up, consisting of local representatives, either by election or nomination, with, say, a representative of the department, the board to have powers including the following—(1) classifying and dividing tho district under its control in areas (not necessarily contiguous), such as, say (a) clean, (b) fairly clean, (c) bad, but reclaim-" able, (d) extremely bad: (2) differential rating powers either for the purposes of providing funds for the management for the work of weed suppression or as security for \ loans to be raised for the same purpose: (3) to enforce the control or eradication of weeds in any part of tho area under its control either by tho owner or holder; (4)' to, on failure of tho above, carry out the work of the owner or holder or out of ratea or loan; (5) to obtain through tho court an order empowering tho taking over on valuation of any land which it has been proved to tho satisfaction of the court that practical reclamation for farming/purposes is impossible; (6) and for the board to undertake suppression by afforestation or other means."— Dr Reakes (Director of Agriculture) said that a on somewhat similar lines had been receiving the attention of the department. He had prepared regulations covering tho details of the remit, and he could say that the department was about to introduce legislation similar to what was proposed.—Mr G. W. Leadley (Ashburton) said the present legislation was not effective, and something should be done to improvo its administration, The following remit was carried unanimously: —"That the Agricultural Department be requested to declare lantana a noxious shrub and prohibit any lantana seed from being imported into this country." , . The following remit was also carried:"That the Department of Agriculture be asked to institute research for the purpose' of finding means to cope with the creeping or water fern, which is a great pest to settlers on the high land of the North Wei- ! lington and Taranaki provinces."—D'r Reakes stated that the department waa already carrying out extensive experiments in order to discover t'.ie most practical and economical method of abating the growth of this noxious fern. Other remits carried were:—"That immediate steps should be taken now that the war is over to proceed with the project of tho formation of a shipping company"; "That in the opinion of this conference there should bo no shipping contracts, but if they are forced upon- us they should be co-terminous"-; "That -the Government be asked to secure an analysis of all sheep clips on tho New Zealand market, with a view to having them tested from time to time, in order to secure their being up to standard"; "That this conference expresses dissatisfaction with the -railway administration, and considers that the time has arrived when the Government should adopt a more progressive policy, both with regard to tho pushing on .of new railways and in. the matter of adopting more up-to-date and progressive methods of administration, so that tho needs and conveniences of the public may receive more consideration": "That the Railway Department be requested to arrange for the faster carriage of cheese and butter from tho factories to the cool stores" } "That the Railway Department bo requested to keep the railway fences running through private lands in a better state of repair, and failing that, tho department be held responsible for any loss of stock caused thereby" ; "That the Department of Agriculture be- asked to provide increased" inspection irr* exterminating rabbits and noxious weeds" ; "That the Government be asked to take steps to keep down the rabbits on Native lands, and also on all unoccupied lands held by it" ; "That this conference considers that better facilities should bo given to back-blocks settlers for getting schools"; "That this conference is of opinion that the teachers in the small country schools' are at present insufficiently paid, and that the Government bo asked to pay full salaries for schools that have an average of fivepupils." PORT CHALMERS HORTICULTURAL SHOW. Notwithstanding the rains of Saturday and Sunday, the eighth annual show of the Port Chalmers Horticultural Society was held yesterday under ideal conditions, and ' tho committee and secretary deserve credit . - for tho results obtained. The Otago and Southland Daffodil Club wa3 represented, by some very fine specimens—notably, Crocus (Incom.) and "White King (Leedsii). Mr E. A. Hamel won with crocus, and Trevena with White King. In the seedling class some good specimens were shown by Messrs Fountain (the chief winner), Pratlcy, Halford, ahd E. O. Reilly. In tho general section of narcissi (not exceding 30 varieties), Mr A. Pratley won, having several good seedlings in his stand. In the 18-varicty collection Mr G. H. Brownlee gained the honours with the finest blooms in the show. In the 12-variety collection Mr J. Halford won, Marshlight being undoubtedly his best vase. In the smaller classes there were some f.ne blooms shown. In hyacinths the Rev. S. H. D. Peryman won -with a -very fine spike. In the .poly

anthus class Mr R. Fountain showed some well-grown flowers, which easily took first place. The decorated section, as a whole, was very good, the leading prize-winner being Miss W. R. Jones. The floral hat was very keenly contested. Miss Maxwell taking first prize. In the vegetable section J. Kaan carried everything before him The children's section drew numerous entries, and a : very'''fine display resulted. In addition to the local effort there wero several exhibitors from Dunedin, Sawyers' c ßay, and district The judges were: Narcissi, Mr A. M'Carthy; cut flowers, pot plants, and vegetables, Mr J. P. Johnston; decorative work, Mrs J.'P, Johnston. /MHANAGEfIKXT OF S!>WS. The system of managing sows varies with the district. In many, if not in most, instances (says the English Journal of Agriculture) the sow may be kept at little expense during .the first threo months of pregnancy, a 3 a .run on gras3 or lucerne during the spring and summer will usually be sufficient.; if pasture is scarce, some soaked maize or peas or beans (when supplies and prices admit of it), or roots of almost any kind given raw (potatoes only being steamer or boiled) will suffice. Even' kitchen refuse will go far towards the keeping of the ,brood sow. Dtiring the later stago of pregnancy the diet must be more •nourishing, since the drain on a sow in the production of a good litter is very considerable. A few weeks before farrowing the gilt or sow- should be moved into her particular sty in order that she may become accustomed to her new surroundings. It is well to arrange for young sows to farrow during the warmer months. Especial care should be taken that r.t any time of farrowing the sty is free from draught and wet. A good bed of clean short or cut straw should bo provided. If the weather is very cold a good stable lamp may bo left hanging in the sty for a day or two so as to raise the temperature. In general, the fan-owing sow needs but little help. When assistance is needed, as when one of the little pigs is presented doubled up, the attendant's hand, after being well cleansed with soap and water and greased with carbo'.ic oil. should be carefully inserted, and the pigling returned into the woinb; then it will most probably be rightly presented and safely brought into the world. Piglings of abnormal size sometimes give the sow considerable trouble. If the sow is perfectly quiet, help can usefully bo given by the attendant, care being taken not to injure the sow internally. .Somo sows are rather vicious during parturition. In such cases the little pigs as they are born should be placed in a basket lined with straw, and removed a little beyond the saw's reach. When farrowing is completo and the sow calm and quiet, they may bo returned to her without fear. If tho bed be wet it should bo made up with an armful of short straw. The sow will then lie down and rest for several hours until her pigs are quite strong. If they bite the sow's udder, tho little sharp teeth should be broken off with a pair of pincers. Piglings which are carried more than tho usual 16 weeks frequently have long and sharp teeth. Tho sow will generally ■ show if tho pigs' teeth require attention, by lyine upon her belly and refusing to suckle. If Shis bo continued for any length of time the

accumulation of milk will cause tion of the udder with' disastrous results. After farrowing, the sow should bo given a small quantity of warm, sloppy food, consisting of sharps with a little oatmeal and skim-milk, or butte-milk, if available. The food should be gradually increased in quantity till from 91b to 121 b of meal are given daily. This may usually consist of one part bran, two parts sharps, ar.d two parts middlings, and should be fed in a somewhat sloppy condition. A large deepmilking sow requires to be liberally fed on nourishing diet. Cooked potatoes or other succulent vegetables such as turnips or mangolds may be added to the above ration with advantage. Heating and fattening foods such as maize and barley and all refuse material which is not perfectly iresh and wholesome should be avoided. Sudden changes of food should bo guarded against as being liable to cause scour in the litter.

Young pigs require clean, comfortable, and sanitary surroundings. They begin to eat at three to four weeks old, and should then be supplied three times daily, with a small Quantity of suitable food. This m%v consist of skim-milk or fresh buttermilk, when available," mixed with some boiled potatoes, middlings, sharps, or bran. Where no milk is available a little sharps, middlings, or oatmeal ar.d linseed meal (scalded) may be fed atonsr with water. The young pigs should be fed from a snecial trough out of reach of the sow, and the trough should be thoroughly scalded at short intervals. Food which is too thick is frequently associated with (dietetic) convulsions, and this trouble is a source of much less among vonng nigs. When tho pigs are old enough th°y should be allowed to take exercise freely. Warmth, fresh air, and sunshine —provided it is not too strong—encourajrc healthy. viVorous growth. Access, however, to unhealthy situations, such ns a hot manure heap, should never be allowod. When about seven to eight weeks old the young pigs mav be weaned. end should eontiiT'e to receive the food mine fr'me afforwards in a sloppy coalition, three times daily.

If tho young boars are not intended fo>- stock purposes tbev should be castrated when about six week* o'd. After weanmg, the sow will take the bo n r within three dnys or p, week nt lest, anrl if she is not too low in condition it is well to take advantage of the first "heat.''