LAND TENURE AND RABBITS

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 13

LAND TENURE AND RABBITS

AFFECTING POPULATION OF SOUTH ISLAND. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 27. Referring to the trend of population from the South to the North in his Address-in-Reply Speech this evening, Mr T. D. Burnett. the member for Temuka, said one reason for this was the leasehold tenure under which so much land in the South Island was held. In the North Island only some 227.000 acres were held under that iniquitous tenure of 21 years without the right of renewal, whereas in the South Island there was a huge territory of ten million acres over which the present lessees hud not the common right to maintain their homes at the end of the lease. This tenure, so much in force in the south, was a legacy of the old idea that the high country sheepmen wore the lineal descendants of the old-time squattocracy. There was never a greater fallacy. Ninety per cent, of them owed their present position to their own hard work, applied energy, and foresight. Amended land legislation to remedy this condition of affairs was now promised, and it was long over-due. Originally amongst the finest pastoral country in the world, owing to want of statesmanship in dealing with them these lands had now deteriorated in value. In one county alone in 40 years the carrying capacity of pastoral lands had gone down by some 200,000 sheep. Originally the Morven Hills run of 320,000 acres carried 150,000 sheep, and 3000 head of cattle. Five years previous to its being cut up into smaller runs the flock had run down to 45,000. and at the same time there was being taken off the run annually 500.000 rabbitskins. Owing to want of security of tenure, injudicious burning, over-stocking, and the plague of rabbits, this country had gone back in carrying capacity from 25 to 33 per cent. A simple cure would he found in absolute security of tenure—(“Hear, hear”) —which in time would bring (he land up to the highest pitch of production, if it could he nursed hack; hut the process would now require a long period of years. 'ldle Government should assist, so that there would be available unlimited supplies of wire netting to get Tid of the rabbits. Getting rid of the rabbits would increase the capacity of Otago alone by three million sheep. PRIMARY PRODUCTS INI LEASED BRIDES ANTICIPATED. BEEF OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT. AUC ’KLAND, Sep torn her 30. Inter viewer!, Mr Massey said he had investigated the present position and future possibilities of the wool trade, and could not go hack on the conclusions arrived at during his visit to Bradford. The time was not very far distant when the demand

for wool would exceed the supply, and when prices would naturally rise. He would deal with the whole matter in the House in due course. Dealing with delays in unloading ships at London. Mr Massey said lie had received assurances from shipping people and the Port of London Authority that every effort would be made to obviate this difficulty in the fuiuro, particularly with ships carrying produce. On the other hand, strong complaints were made bv shipping companies th T; serious delays took place in New Zealand ports, and in steaming from one small port to another to pick up small portions of cargoes. He hoped something may be done in regard to these matters in our own country, and the sooner a remedial action was taken the better. He believed that shipping companies realised itwas us much in their trade interest as in the interests of too dominion producers that charges should he reduced. As regards the meat and dairy produce I markets. Mr Massey said: “I am sorry to | say I cannot encourage producers of beef • to expect much improvement in prices at j Home for some lime; certainly not until j the whole of the old stocks have been disposed of, though there cannot be very much of them left now. The plain fact is that Argentine beats us in beef on the London market on account of the shorter distance her supplies have to travel, and that Argentine href can be sent to Smithfeld chilled instead of frozen. When I left London the demand for lamb and light mutton was unite good. Heavy mutton was rather dull of sale. The market for dairy produce had not settled, but the outlook was fairly good, and the price will probably be n little higher than would otherwise be the case on account of the very dry season.” AND PASTORAL NEWS. The possibilities of the Waihi district for dairying, pastoral, and agricultural purposes were referred to by Mr A. T. Kcnrick, manager of the Waihi branch of the Bank of New Zealand at a farewell function prior to his departure for Inglewood. Mr Kcnrick said he had unbounded faith in the town and in the future of the district. He vfas confident that 10 years, hence it would be a bigger and more prosperous centre than it was to-day. There were still many years of successful mining ahead of tiie district, and in tht meantime agricultural pursuits, and particularly dairying, were steadily coming to the lore, and would, at no very distant date, play a most important part in tiie industrial welfare of the town and adjacent districts. Already those not output of cream would surprise those not in touch with the district, and when he reached Inglewood, which was the centre of a big agricultural area, he would make it his business to acquaint the farmers with the possibilities of the cheap land about Waihi. (Applause.) Notwithstanding the depressed state of the wool and stock market, the great majority of (he soldier settlers in the Nelson Land District are working their farms in a manner that indicates a determination to become successful farmers (states the Nelson Mail). A few properties have, however, been abandoned for various reasons, and the Lands Department is now arranging to place new selectors on them. Most of the farms have necessary buildings and are stocked and improved. They comprise sheep farms, dairy farms, and orchards m full bearing. In view of the low prices for wool and meat, a number of sheep farmers all along the coast have turned irom sheep farming to the dairy industry, but a well-known Feilding farmer considers that before very long they will realise they have made a mistake (wires our Feilding correspondent.). Brices of dairy produce are high, and those of wool and meat low, but he says dairy prices are coming down, and wool prices are going up. There was a great world shortage of sheep, and when the British Government puts its stored wool on the market and cuts its losses, the demand for clothing will become normal, and prices will harden and stabilise. Then farmers will buy sheep again at higher prices. Farmers wore now buying dairy cows at peak prices, repeating the mistake which land buyers have made during the past few years. Five head of cattle succumbed at Te Puke as the result of dipping operations (says the Auckland Star), which are compulsory in accordance with the Stock Department’s regulations to combat the tick menace The five cattle were part of a small mob, and the first lot to use the newly-erected dip. The Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Meat Company, at its annual meeting, declared a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. A Feilding fanner has discovered a new means of thrashing Irish flax seed (says the Feilding Star). According to the reported leuiurks at a Farmers’ Union meeting he stated: “ It> could be thrashed well with a reaper and binder.” This should solve the problem next time the thrashing mill owners announce that they have decided to put the price un and incidentally make grain growing more popular. The Argus says that the spring has so far proved almost a record in the dairying industry in the Eltham district, and many factories are already practically in full swing. The Eltham Company is now manufacturing over four tons of butter per day. “ Sheepfarmers are not afraid of the future,” said a visitor to Wellington to a Times reporter. “They have always given the shearer a fair spin and they simply can’t deliberately run themselves into bankruptcy. Shearers are coming forward at the different stations, and from what I hear there will be plenty of labour.” At a mooting of farmers delegates reported that shearers were freely engaged at award rates, and that there would be no difficulty in getting through the shearing. A Feilding farmer states that the market for calfskins in that locality is very satisfactory. This is due to competition between two buying firms who are in attendance at Feilding every Friday, and purchase direct from the farmers. He had even obtained as much as 5s for calfskins carried over from last season. The market for cow hides was not so good. lie also mentioned that the Feilding Freezing Company is still carrying a large stock of hull's bought w hen prices were high. Ihe company has been making extensive improvements this vear in readiness for tlie coming season, and j has also acquired additional land to give ; further room at the rear of the works.

Mr W. G. C. Britten, secretary of the English Hereford Herd Book Society of Hereford. England, at present touring the dominions in the interest of the “whitefaces,” and at present in Australia, has notified iiis acceptance of an invitation to judge the Hereford cattle division at the forthcom ng Metropolitan Show to be held lit Palmerston North on November 2,3, and