AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 10

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The threatened exodus of shearers to Australia if they do riot receive in New Zealand the rates of pay they have demanded, is not causing tho farmers any ccncor-i, according to Mr E. Q. Jack, secretary of the Dominion Farmers’ Union (says the Wellington Evening l’ost). Neither are tiie farmers concerned about the prospect of having to do their own shearing in the coining season. ‘"lt may be true,” said Mr Jack, ‘‘that a number of shearers will leave New Zealand for Australia, but that, is tho case in almost every normal year. shearing in Australia starts fullv two months ahead of Now Zealand’s operations, and many shearers in pre-war days were in the habit of going to Australia for the purpose of having an early run there and then returning to patic-ipato in the Now Zealand shearing season.” Owing to the very low price ruling for wool, a very large number of farmers would not le in a position this year to pay last year’s shearing rates, and would be quite glad to do their own shearing. Another point was that many shearers were married men “with a stake in the dominion,” and it would not pay them to travel to Australia and return to New Zealand for the sake of a few extra pounds to be earned in tiie commonwealth. Replying to ihe statement. made by Mr C. Grayndler, Mr Jack said it was absolutely incorrect to say that tho shearers did not share in the profits which were reaped in the dominion from the high prices of wool during tho war period, the prices paid for shearing having been fully 50 per cent, higher than the pre-war rate. The third local wool sale for this season is set down to take place on June 20. It is understood that an effort is to be made to limit the offerings to 10,000 biles. Tho fourth sale will be held some time in July, when the number of bales to be offered will also bo limited. The removal of the subsidy on butter in order to relieve the Government of tho

expense is suggested in a remit which will bo submitted ut ihe Provincial Conference of tile New Zealand Farmers’ Union which will Ire held in Auckland shortly. “Lime is not a fertiliser,” said Mr Cockayne to a party of farmers at the Central Development Farm. " Its influence is solely directed to making plant food more avai able. For that reason 1 would not advise farmers to use l.me unless they al.o used phosphates.” lie proceeded to explain that the continual application of lime, by making the plant foods easily available, would in time impoverish tile soil unless food in the form of manure was also added. A combination of lime and phosphates was always economical. The North Canterbury Farmers’ Union passed a resolution—“ That, in view of the urgent necessity for the provision of the cheapest means of reliable overseas transport for dominion products, it is advisable to control our own shipping, and we are of opinion that the Government should institute inquiries as to what can be done to obtain suitable ships for this purpose, preferably by charter for a term, looking to the eventual e-tablishnient of a dominion line.” The New Zealand Romney-Marsh Sheepbreeders’ Association ha 3 a membership of 607. Two prime wethers realised 30s 6d at the Gore stocksaie on Tuesday (says the Ensign). An American farmer, writing to a Feeding stud breeder, states that nobody made money in the sheep business in America last year. Practically everyone lost money, and very many wealthy men who were engaged in the sheep business two or three years ago are now bankrupt. It is impossible. writes the American, to raise sheep in that country in competition with wool grown from Australia or mutton lambs front New Zealand. A reasonable lari If would doubtless give enough protection to keep them in the game, and al ow the sheep men to buy stud rams and perhaps a few ewes from New Zealand. It was decided at a farmers’ meeting at Totara on the 4th inst. to form a subbranch, to be affiliated with the Oamarti branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr George Bruce was appointed president, Mr David Clark vice-president, and Mr Joseph Briscoe secretary. After a visit to Mekeo, in the Central Division, Papua, in September, 192-9, the Lieutenant-Governor (Judge Murray) reported that the cultivation of rite was progressing in that district, 70 tons having been producing in 1919. all native grown. Latest advices show that rice is growing within 10 miles of Port Moresby. About 22 acres of hill rice were sown there shortly before the wet season. The rice is doing well, and a plentiful crop is expected. Hill rice is likely to be a valuable industry in the dry belt of Papua. It requires practically no labour, as evervtliing can be done by machinery, as in the case of wheat. This does net apply to swamp rice.