OTAGO FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3514, 19 July 1921, Page 11

OTAGO FARMERS’ UNION.

A meeting of the Executive of the Otago Provincial Council, New Zealand .farmers’ Union, was iie.d on Wednesday last. Mr A. Craig (vice-president) occupied the chair in the absence oi' the president through illness. ilie Secretary read a circular, dated Juno 8, asking branches to collect levies quarterly if possible.—The circular was approved, and it was hoped branches w T ould comply with the request. The Order Paper for tile twentieth Dominion Conference was laid on the table, and the various Otago remits were discussed at length. A circular was received from the Wellington Provincial Council, asking that Provincial Executives take united action with reference to freezing charges.-—lt was decided that the matter bo deferred until the Dominion Conference is held. The Marton branch wrote asking what steps were being taken to combat valuations. —The Secretary reported having replied that each branch was acting in its own district. A letter was received from Mr S. Boreham, secretary for the New Zealand Workers’ Union, Otago and Southland Branch, suggesting co-operation with the union in public meetings throughout Otago and Southland relative to the rabbit question. —It was decided to thank Mr Boreham for hirs letter, and to state that, in view of the Minister’s premise to have the Act amended as asked by the Farmers’ Union, no action of this kind was needed at present. The Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association wrote respecting the supply of labour on the waterfront.—The Secretary reported that a remit had been sent to the dominion secretary for discussion at the Dominion Conference. On the same subject a letter was received from the Minister of Labour, stating that the Government was looking into the difficulties respecting waterfront labour. The American Consul inquired concerning the union’3 work in extension of agriculture and home economics, such as demonstrations, etc.—The Secretary reported having replied to the letter. The Secretary reported having received a letter from the Department of Agriculture stating that the union’s resolution respecting cattle tick would be placed before the Board of Agriculture. A letter was received from the Minister of Agriculture advising that the matter of the penalty for selling manures deficient in quality would receive careful consideration. It was reported that letters from the branches at Balclutha, Becks, Crookston. Catlins, Clyde vale, Dunback, Dunrobin, Hiilend, Greenfield, Gienomaru, Hillgrove, Heriot, Kelso, Lawrence, Moonlight, Otekaike, Maniototo, Milton, Poolburn, Popctunoa Palmerston, Romahapa, Tahatika, Waitahuna, Waitepeka, Waikoikoi had been attended to. The Moa Flat Branch suggested that local bodies be given grants by tiie Government to carry on necessary works in the district, instead of unnecessary Government works being pushed on, to meet the unemployment difficulty. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Dominion Conference. A suggestion that the system of voting for the executive members be altered so that four to eight branches could nominate and elect their own member for the executive hy ballot, was deferred for consideration, the opinion being expressed, however, that the present system is considered more suitable. A letter from the Tapnnui Branch suggested the sale of stock by live weight at the Burnside yards, and proposed a conference with the Saleyards Comp any.—Tho Secretary reported having written a ski no- for a conference ns suggested.—lt was resolved thfft Messrs E. H. Murney, Jas. Begg. and the president be the committee to meet the Saleyards Company if a conference is agreed to. . It was resolved that a conference be held m Dunedin of deffigates from the branches to meet the Minister of Agriculture to dis cuss ways ami means of combatting the rabbit pe«t. It was also resolved to”write to tne Minister asking that portion of tile fines indicted in recent prosecutions be remitted. and objecting to the threats bv a magistrate that future fines would be heavier. The Hranch wrote concerning 7>osfca] facilities for back-block settlers It was resolved to write to the Minister rtf lelesraohs ursine that this matter should receive his early and sympathetic consideration. TTTE NORTH ISLAND. (Etsom Our Own Correspondent.) The North Island is still participating in what may be termed seasonable* weather and although one or two very heavy frosts ■were experienced during the current week they were succeeded by rain, which was by no means severe. Taking it all round, it ha 3 been a wonderfully good season, and except in the case of newly-sown grass there has been no check in growth at all. The dairy season will soon be commencing again —in fact., cows are beginning to come in in some districts fairly fast, with the result that the milk yield is going up correspondingly. Dairymen, of course, are wondering what the new season lias in store for them but the representative of an important London produce firm operating in the Taranaki district has expressed the opinion that cheese will be more profitable than butler next season. The outlook for both, lie said, was just now brighter than it had been for some time, and he had no doubt that the price for the new season’s make would bo such as 1 n enable factories to pay out. to rs at least 2s per lb of butter-fat. 1 his is ! etter than tome factory directors had co "onif luted, but- the Taranaki produce dealer considered that, there was never any warrant fur the pessimistic views held in some quarters regarding the price for 1 he new season’s make. At the llawera Winter Show the lion. .1. Parr, with the knowledge at his d osal, also suggested t hat the outlook for butter and cheese was so good, and, when lain it in conjunction v ih similar views e? . -1 hj tin ■ ■■ ho a e in close touch with the market* it nriy be accepted as a fact that at pre-’etil pi aspects for a profitable season ahead are unde bright. In the Manawat.u district quite a number of graziers consider that dairvinnoffers the most literalive employment on the land just now, and in consequence they are turning their attention to dairying, and are buying up all (lie cows and heifers of quality that come their way. On the other

hand, experienced dairymen are culling their herds, and are shooting on to the market cows that are proving unprofitable by their returns, so that those who are just starting dairying, and are somewhat inexperienced in the business, may have the misfortune to pick up lines that would be much better for the butcher’s block than the cowshed. WINTER MILKING. Those dairymen in the Manawatu who so arranged matters to have cows milking m the winter in order that- the Wellington market might be supplied, are so well satisfied with the results achieved that they propose extending operations next yea r. Winter dairying should therefore be on the increase, and one pleasing feature is the number of improvements to yard and byre that is being effected. The number of unpaved yards are being steadily reduced, and dairy affairs are operating on a more sanitary basis. OCEAN ISLAND IMPORTATIONS In the Journal of Agriculture a rather interesting contribution is made by Mr A. E. Ellis, the New Zealand Phosphate Commissioner, who points out that importations of rock phosphate hitherto shown through the Customs returns as originating from the Gilbert and Ellice- Group are really from Ocean Island. The latter -s included in the Gilbert and Ellice Cblony for .administrative purposes; hence the technically correct but misleading statistics. Thus during the year ended 31st March last a total of 8414 tons of phosphate was imported into New Zealand from Ocean Island. The latter, moreover, might properly be bracketed with Nauru, as being the same business. It is understood, says the writer, that in future the Customs returns will be amended on the lines indicated. SEC ON DGRADE. BUTTER. It is reported in Auckland that secondgrade butter is becoming a drug on the market, and is being offered at reduced price. It is understood that there are something like f 0,000 boxes of butter in cold storage, in the Dominion, of which about half would bo held in Auckland. TEACHING AGRICULTURE. A question of considerable importance to those engaged in educational affairs was raised at a conference of the Taranaki School Committees’ Association last week, it having been proposed that in order to prepare the children for an agricultural career it is of greater importance that agriculture bo made a compulsory subject, of primary education, and that every boy 01 girl who sits for proficiency or compulsory examination should be required to qualify to the extent of 60 per cent, for the former and 40 per cent, for the latter in education. Such a proposition is, of course, agricultural education going mad; and to make such a proposal mandatory throughout New Zealand would be to court disaster. The discussion that took place was of an animated character, and eventually a saner amendment was carried to the effect that pupils desiring to follow an agricultural career be granted a pass to travel by train or bus to the nearest centre for the purpose of obtaining a first-hand knowledge of agriculture from qualified teachers. It was also resolved that the whole question of agricultural education t>e referred to the executive to confer with the Education Board. DAIRYING IN TARANAKI. The dairy factories operating in Taranaki have had a good year, and very substantial increases in the milk yield are recorded. The Patua Dairy Company had a- very successful season, the sum of £25,888 3s 5d having been paid to suppliers, being equal to 2s per l.b of butter-fat. After providing £lßl 14s for depreciation, there remains a balance of £6242 7s 5d to the credit of profit and loss account. The company has two shipments of consignment cheese at present on the water, and another shipment has arrived at Home and has been disposed of. but as the account sales of these shipments are not yet to hand it, is not possible at this juncture to state definitely what the results will be. The directors now recommend an interim payment of 4d per ib on butter-fat supplied during the 12 months covered by the balance sheet, and the balance will be paid out to suppliers as soon as the stock of cheese in cool store is shipped and the final account sales are to hand and the net results of the season’s operations known. Tt is anticipated that the average payment for the season will be somewhere in the region of 2.s sid per lb of butter-fat. GREAT DAIRY COMPANY. Some few years back Taranaki was regarded as the greatest dairy centre of the Dominion, but that province has been completely outstripped bv the Waikato district, the main company operating being the New Zealand Co-operative Company, which has now 6500 suppliers, and claims to lie the biggest co-operative dairy company in the world. The bigness of the concern may be gathered from the fact that the output for the year ended March 31 was valued at £4,500.000. This represented the manufacture of 12.660 tons of butter, 5673 tons of cheese, 485 tons of casein, 500 tons of skimmilk powder, and 3000 tons of gla.xo, or whole-milk powder. Included in those figures are the returns of the Thames Valley Dairy Company, which has been amalgamated with the New Zealand Dairy Company, and it will doubtless interest readers to be informed of ihe very big output, from the Thames Valley, the value of which was about £1,200,000. The company’s returns - wore : But ter : Ohineimiri County, Paeroa factory, 866 tons; Pinko County. Waihou factory, 1021 tons; Hatiraki Plains County. Kopu, 566 tons; Ngatea, 170 tons; —total, 2643 tons, as compand with 1678 tons for 1919-1920. Cheese: I’ia.ko County, Eastport Road factory, 425 tons; Waitoa factory, 501 tons; Lower Waitoa factory. 568 tons; Ngarua factory, SCO tons; Thames County. Hikutoin factory, 347 tons; Matetoke factory, 390 tons; Whurepoa factory, 23 tons; Hauraki Plains County, Huirau Road factory, 234 tons; Netherton factory, 305 tons; Shelly Beach factory, 266 tons; —total cheese output, 3578 tons, as compared with 36C6 tons for 1919-20. Mr Buchanan explained that during this year there had been a- diversion of milk from one factory to another The Waitoa group —Nga ran. Waitoa, Lower Waitoa, and Eastport Road factories had been making butter instead of cheese sin’e the end of last February. Mr Buchanan reckoned the average price of cheese for the season just ended would he 11 Id The value of the produce matinfnetured hy the Thames Valley -operative Dairy Company hist year wins £1,200.076, which together with the amount manufactured hy other companies gives a total of over £1.500.080. Little mine than half the land in this valley is at present improved, arid the im-

proved land can be made much more productive. QUESTION OF OVERSTOCKING. This is a matter that deserves more cons idora tion than it- receives, and it is quite certain that if farmers refrained from overstocking so much there would be less trouble and less mortality. A well-known farmer 11. .South Taranaki asserts that many dairy fanners attach too much importance to milk-testing. He did not wish to belittle the value of testing, but feeding and shelter were of iirst importance. In that respect ignorance was leading to many blunders and heavy losses. A man, for instance, purchased a farm, supposed to carry 50 cows. Its actual capacity might be well below that; but the buyer, who may be incapable of forming an independent judgment, would stock right up to the figures given him when purchasing. A number of his cows would die, and he would put it down to hard luck, when as a matter of fact starvation was the cause. Several times I have referred to this matter in the Wilness, and I am convinced that it would be a good thing for all ceneurned in this end if overstocking was a punishable offence, the same as cruelty, to animals. THE WOOL CLIP. Ike re is a movement in the Wellington province to induce holders of wool to sell their clips during the, next three months. It is considered that the advice is sound in view of the near approach of a new clip. THE MEAT MARKET. The meat market is not- quite so brisk, und fat cattle seem hard to dispose of. Bhis is probably due to the unsatisfactory news from, the London market, and the prospects of an improvement are not encouraging. Most of the freezing works are clear of old stocks of mutton, but a good deal of beef is still in store. THE RABBIT QUESTION MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE INTERVIEWED. LEASEHOLD TENURE CONDEMNED. The Minister of Agriculture, the- Hon. W. Noeworthy, during his visit to Otago has had a busy, time, and spent many hours nearly every day on the rabbit question, lie h as given the closest attention to the whole subject, which he recognises as an extremely difficult one, particularly in view of the tact that the conditions are widely different in various parts of the dominion, and even in each province. Expert opinions also differ widely. Men who have spent many years combating the pest are quite at variance, not only as to ihe methods best adapted for the destruction of the rabbit, but also as to the nature of the legislative provisions and penalties in regard to destruction. The main problem has centred about the Central Otago district, where fierce opposition lias been manifested against clause 2 of the amending Act, which provides that the word of the rabbit inspector, supported by another inspector, is quite sufficient, and that a conviction must follow. 8 he defendant is entitled to call evidence in mitigation of penalty, but the magistrate has no option in regard to convicting. In one district only-, however, has this provision led to serious trouble, and even there many farmers and runholders are fully persuaded of its wisdom, and regard it as a step in the right direction. The penalty provided allows of a fine up to £IOO. Mr Nosworthy has made a definite pronouncement in regard to this matter. He states that when the amendment was drafted it was intended to meet cases in which farmers and runholders were deliberately evading their responsibility, and the maximum penalty was fixed at a high figure in order to meet the case of the holder ©f large areas, and was not intended for the small runholder or the farmer of 200 or 300 acres, lie accordingly recognises that the Act i_s liable to misinterpretation, and lias promised to introduce another amendment to put matters on a clearer footing, and also to give every person .prosecuted the_ right to defend the action. this does not mean, however, that the Minister takes a light view of the rabbit post. On the contrary, ho is fully determined that, if it can bo done, the rabbit must go. Interviewed on Friday, he said that he intended to retain in the Act power to compel the ‘shirker ’ to do his duty The farmer must abide by the Act, and keep the rabbit in check. Asked what main conclusion he had drawn as the result of his investigation into the position in Central Otago, JVJr Nosworthy said he had 110 doubt whatever that the leasehold tenure had had a very bad effect. One of tiie great troubles had undoubtedly oeen ‘'these confounded leases,” and he proposed to ask the Government to grant the purchase of the freehold on the deferred payment system in areas suitable for settlement. No man would spend or could be expected to spend, large sums of money on property held on lease, especially short lease, when the land was’ infested by rabbits and denuded of pastorago. Some of the properties were even held on year to year leases and mining leases, arid wore really no better than breeding grounds for tne post. Ho was quite satisfied that the farmers and runholders did not want the rabbits, and ho did not look upon them as rabbit farmers. 8 here were cases in which they did not realise Ihe danger of the rabbit and the necessity for the taking of extreme measures to got rid of them. Proceeding, the Minister said that there was no doubt that Gonlral Otago had a great future before if if the rabbit could he got rid of. Next to ono Otago si ill offered every prospect of being the hen in the dominion. Ho had coma to ihe conclusion that (lie trapping syriom must bo condemned. More effective measures were lie ossaiy, and it wap, part, of his duty to fjrid out what those measures should he Ho was nersu uded of the necessity of poisoning and experts agreed that whore the natural enemy was conserved and ihe rabbits <roi down the natural enemy would keep them down. Asked if he considered i! advisable to compel farmers and runholders to face the heavy expense entailed in clearing their nroprrt-io.s in the or.---.ent abnormal t'mr.s. The Almider said ib»t verv many simply could not do so. r l hoy could not typt advances from <he hoiks or Ihe financingconcerns, and lie was not croimr to place them in the position of havimr to face heavy fines liny wore to pay. Tt had imt been intended that these heavy fines should he imposed except in cn«es of deliberate evashm and neglect- In future, a more reasonable attitude would he taken,

but ho would point out that this did not inip’y that laxity would be permitted. He agreed that to get rid of the i’abbit would necessitate elaborate and Very costly methods. Wire-proof fencing was essential, but the nresent price of netting, and fencing material generally was practically prohibitive. His only desire was that the department, should do the fair thing, and to this end he wanted the farmers’ unions and the department to work together. He was ask ng the farmers to try and get together and to co-operate with the department. lie wanted them to work together in unity with regard to the destruction of the pest, and to see that every farmer did his part. The rabbit boards promised well, and the department was encouraging them in the hope that they would offer a solution to a large part of the trouble. Unity of action was the groat thing, unity with regard to the poisoning season and other methods of destruction, and the conservation cf the natural enemy. Co-operation, not prosecution or persecution, was the true road to a solution of the problem. At the same time there were individuals who would not do their part, and he asked the farmers not to shelter any individual who was not do ng a fair thing. The Minister pointed out that under the Act he 11 ul a power I hat lie had not exercised, and did not wish to exercise so long as if could he avoided. Tie had made up his mind that the rabbit had to go, but he wanted the farmers themselves to get rid of it. However, under the Act he had power by Order-in-Council to put a stop to trapping. In his opinion trapping was one of the contributor..- causes of the rabbit nuisance. There was r.o doubt that its commercial value had led to its presence in greater numbers than would otherwise have been the case. If every settler in Otago would only realise the position and try to put the province in a better condition there would be no need for prosecution in a.nv way. Speaking on behalf of a deputation to the Minister at Balclutha on Thursday, Mr Christie, chairman of the Clutba branch of the Farmers’ Union emphasised that in cases of prosecutions under the Rabbit Act and the Noxious Weeds Act, men had been dragged into the court and severely dealt with who would rather suffer heavy financial loss than have their good name and honour besmirched. He knew of men to whom it was a real heartbreak, and in regard to the rabbit, they were not even given a hearing. He expressed a hope that whatever was done in future there would be no more of this dragging of respectable men of high integrity into court and degrading thorn. It was not the farmer who farmed rabbits, but the rabbiter. The Minister, in reply, agreed that in ail farming matters the farmer was larg-ely controlled by the man who was supposed to do the work. He trusted the men he employed to do their work properly, but in many cases there could be no question that it was not done. He quite recognised that rabbiters employed to clear a block would often leave rabbits enough to breed for further operations. This -was one of the great problems of the whole rabbit question, and it was only another reason for a cordial harmonious working of all farmers and the department together. The farmer should, himself, see to it that there was no neglect on the part of his neighbours, and this could only be achieved by co-operation. Once the farmers and the department set to work seriously together, he did not think there would be any further prosecutions for rabbit farming. The Minister further stated that in future farmers would not be called upon to take men from important farming operations.to fight the rabbit. The harvest was the most important concern of the harvest season, and when it was ready the farmer's paramount duty was to get it in. Such work should not give place to work that could conveniently and just as effectively be performed at another tone. The work of rabbit destruction should naturally coincide with the other farming operations of the year. I'll E BREinsn FFS AX PRODUCE MARKETS. Friday Evening. REDUCTION IN FLOUR PRICES. AUCKLAND, Jidv 12. Tho roller mills announce that flour has been reduced to £22 2s 6d per t-on tor sacks, less per cent. Daily Times Office, Friday Evening. In a cable message received from tho Liverpool agent of Lindiey Walker Co-operative Wheat Company, Lt-d. (Melbourne), it is advised that tho United Slates and European wheat harvest outlook is well maintained. Canadian crop reports are optimistic, but Argentina is wanting rain. Chicago expects arrivals of new wheat immediately. The steps taken by the Farmers’ Union in New Zealand to have inquiries made in regard to diseases in the onion-growing districts in Australia have evoked comment in produce circles in the city (say 3 the Australasian). Merchants state that there has been no sign of disease this year, but the keeping qualities of the- onions have been affected by heavy rains which occurred during the harvest. Further, some farmers have been careless in stacking, but in the case of export ' the onions have to be certified as being free from disease before they may be shipped. Owing to disease in New Zealand the importation of potatoes into the commonwealth from the dominion is prohibited. Also, as fire blight is prevalent in New Zealand, the importation cf plants of all descriptions *s not allowed. Whether these factors have inspired New Zealand farmers to take action in regard to onions is not known, but opinions in the trade are fairly general that these and other matters are res|>onsible for their attitude. Shippers agree that the regulations in connection with diseased j)roduce should be strictly enforced. J recently a number of orders for prompt shipment for Australian flour have been received in Australia- from England. English buyers are still inquiring in that, market for supplies, hut mi Hors aro unable to accept the business owing to lack of freight. In view of this a deputation of millers waited upon the manager of the Commonwealth Shipping Line with the request that space bo provided them for the United Kingdom in tho near future. While the request could not be complied with at present it was intimated to tho millers that whatever was possible would he done. The Australian Wheat Hoard has notified millers an l shippers that wheat for flour for shipment to Basra and Mesopotamia is available at Ps a bushed. Apparently an inquiry for Australian flour has been received [ram that source, but the quantity desired is not known to most of the trade. The fact of Mesopotamia coming up_*n the Australian market for flour is a reflex of the poorness uf tho Indian wheat crop. About mid-May