MILKING SHORTHORNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 12

MILKING SHORTHORNS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION. Tlie annual general meeting of the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association was held at Hamilton on June 1. Mr James Parkinson, Opotiki, president, was in the chair. Over 60 members were present, being the largest annual meeting yet held. The report congratulated members on the steady progress made. The elimination of the scrub-bull was strongly urged, and the importance of using sires with _ a semiofficial tested dam’s record behind, them was an important factor. The semi-official records of the breed in the dominion was very satisfactory—two animals had reached the 7001 b of butter-fat mark and a junior two-year-old had won the association s prize of £SO for producing over 4501 b of butter-fat under semi-official test. The record obtained by the champion milking Shorthorn cow in New South Wales, Melba XV beating all other breeds, had brought tho milking Shorthorns promientiy before the public. They could still claim that the milking Shorthorn still holds pride of place as tho best dual-purpose animal. In connection with the Herd Books, they had volume V ready to issue with 646 bulls and 1878 cows registered. The entries ior volume VI to date were 530 bulls and 1250 cows. Tlie total registration since the formation of the association numbered 2375 bulls and 13,334 cows. The balance sheet showed £IB6O invested. The expenditure showed £272 for A. and T. show prizes and semi-official prizes, the expenses for inspection of entries totalled £250. The sale of Herd Books was disappointingly small, especially volume IV, which was recognised as the standard volume of the association. The need for economy and the prompt payment of the subscriptions was stressed on the members. The membership of the association had remained about the same — viz., 580, the new members balancing the resignations of those who had given up farming. . . The President referred to his recent visit to New South Wales and the popularity of the milking Shorthorns in Australia. He had seen a lot of good cattle over there, but considered we had equally as good in New Zealand. Mr A. W. Green welcomed the council and visiting members to Hamilton. The members of the Waikato branch were fully alive to the importance of testing, and they had in their district the largest herd-testing association in the dominion. The Farmers Union scheme was a great success, and they were able to test and show a profit of 6s per cow over 20,000 animals during the past year. The notice of motion—“ That the conditions and allocation of prizes for milking Shorthorn classes at A. and P. shows be revised and a new schedule be drawn up”— was discussed. It was eventually resolved to ask all branches to make application for each provincial district giving the number of shows held and the support accorded the classes last year. The President stated that some of the country shows had far larger entries than the metropolitan ones, and referred to the Marlborough show last year having 120 entries in milking Shorthorns, beating all other breeds. The local branches were urged to supplement the association’s prizes with a view to encouraging the A. and P. Associations as well as the exhibitors. It was moved —“That future Herd Book entries be accepted on pedigree, a special committee be set up in each district to report on entries befaw» acceptance.”

Mr Hearsay, in speaking to the motion, referred to the expense of inspection. They had now five Herd Books, and all the other associations accepted entries on pedigree. He thought they had been in existence long enough to warrant doing away with the inspection. Mr J. Hodges supported the proposal and suggested that they make a rule that all cattle he entered before they are 12 months old. Mr M’Leod (Helensville) proposed that no catlle be inspected before they were 12 months old, and referred to tho fact that young bulls which had been inspected and passed at three months were entirely changed when 12 months old, and, in some cases, a disgrace to the association. The motion was held over till the next annual meeting. No. 3 notice of motion —“That an appendix be added to future Herd Books for tho registration of grade Shorthorns of approved type which can show a certified standard of milk production, and the female progeny by registered sires be eligible for the appendix, and when four registered crosses are shown the animal (if a heifer) be accepted as pedigree”—was duly carried, with the condition that the minimum production of butter-fat be 5001 b in any one year. It, was also resolved that any cow of approved type putting up a certified record of 5001 b of butter-fat in any one year be eligible for entry in the appendix of the Herd Book. Tho motion, that a register of pedigree milking Shorthorn bulls be opened giving records of the dam and the sire’s dam, no bull to be eligible for entry unless the dam and sire’s dam have qualified under semiofficial test, was held over till next general meeting. The motion with reference to voting a subsidy for the importation of pedigree dairy Shorthorn bulls was lost on the voices. The embargo on the importation of cattle from Australia was referred to. 'Hie President stated he had gone into the matter with the Director of Agriculture and had also made full inquiries in Australia. They were far better to have the embargo than some, of the pests existing, and there was no hope of the embargo being lifted. On tho motion of Mr Blackett, it was resolved—- “ That the Government he urged to permit the importation of pedigree milking Shorthorn cattle from Australia under strict quarantine conditions.” Mr J. M. Ranstend was unanimously elected as president, Messrs 1). Buick (Palmerston North) and T. Bloor (Christchurch) were elected as vice-presidents. Messrs R. Brown (Weraroa) and J. Hodges (Wanganui), retiring members, were re-elected to the council. Treasurer, Mr J. Hearsey (reelected; auditor, Mr P. L. Sim (Palmerston North). It was resolved that the half-yearly meeting to held at Palmerston North in November and the next annual meeting be at Hamilton. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president, also the Waikato branch for tlie hospitality and kindness shown the visiting members in providing cars for the tour round the district to see the milking Shorthorn herds, 60 visiting members taking part. The visitors were also entertained by the president (Mr Parkinson) at a complimentary dinner, which was much appreciated. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL BILL. TO THE EDITOR. Sir —The explanation of the rush methods and the extreme reluctance of the Pool “clique” to give details and to hear the other side is without doubt the fact that the scheme is one of the clique s and does not come from the producers, and, further, that it is so crude and rests on such false premises that it will not bear investigation or any attempt to reduce the generalities to precise details. Tlie “clique” wants compulsory control under Act of Parliament on the grounds that the industry is suffering serious disadvantages in connection with the commercial side of it, and, they contend, that there are no other means than compulsory control by which the faults can bo remedied. The scheme embraces “Marketing,” “Advertising,” “Information Bureau,” “Insurance,” and “Shipping.” Taking each in order, let us see how each stands from the various points of view—(a) Are there serious faults? (b) Are such faults as there are open to remedy by ordinary methods, and (c) are they warrant for giving extraordinary powers under compulsory control to a few men ? Marketing.—Last year’s campaign was almost solely under this heading, and was carried out on extravagant and general accusations that the industry was suffering great loss and producers were being robbed by Toeley street merchants. The accusations were made again and again by most of the leaders of the Pool scheme, and were unfortunately accepted in good faith by great numbers, end were the major cause of support to (lie Bill. The position to-day is that Sir Thomas Clement has the assurance of the Poo! Council that the Pool Board has no intention and will not interfere with the merchants and the present channels of distribution. Therefore this, as a reason for the Bill and a warrant for compulsion, by their own act. or, shall we sav. by their joining hands with the supposed “robbers.” “goes by the hoard.” Though it is significant that the Bill still contains the same provisions for control of the marketing as it did liefore. Why? Advertising.—Surely no one for a moment could contend lliat compulsory control is necessary so that advertising of our produce inay.be undertaken. And. as in other matters, no indication has been given as to advantages to be gained. Advertising has been carried on by the merchants at Homo at their own expense. Our produce is well known amongst all the wholesalers and all retailers of any importance in the produce and grocery trades. Proof of this is available bv the fact that in every weekly issue of the Grocer (the paper of the trade) appear quotations of general market prices and those of the provinces, of New Zealand butter and cheese as New Zealand; and it is satisfactory to note how high a place they hold in the lists. This is most complete as an advertising medium to the hand and in use of everyone directly concerned in purchase from us of our produce. As to the part between the retailer and the actual consumer, we have not, nor can we have, any control as to what they buy and sell and we know in fact that as a result o fadvertising to attract the consumer retailers have sold

a much inferior butter as New Zealand to the marked detriment of the New Zealand article. Information Bureau. —Again, as in the last case, no one could seriously contend that it offers any excuse whatever for compulsory control. Complete and reliable information is obtainable weekly or at any other time through any of the firms handling our produce. It is open to prove the Correctness of such information by comparing it with that appearing in the Grocer, ate., of even date. None of the firms hesitate to give us the fullest information ; but what is required and what is lacking in certain prominent promoters of the Pool scheme is judgment in the use of it. Insurance.—This can be dealt with by ordinary means. Even if some sort, of combination might assist, there is certainly no warrant to include it even as a minor reason for compulsion. Shipping.—As a result of the exposures in connection with their wild and extravagant assertions on the subject of “marketing,” and also on account of their assurance to Sir Thomas Clement of non-interference, the Pool “clique” have had to abandon the “robbery by the merchants” as a oatch cry. Shipping regulation is now their “stalking horse.” The shipping feature I have dealt with fully before. We all desire the best shipping service we can get, but, frankly and plainly, a great, number of us more than doubt the capacity and distrust many of the promoters. We have ample grounds for our doubts, and in this case there is no indication that they understand or that they have made any reasonable endeavour to understand the intricacies of the shipping problem. They have produced no proof that we have suffered anything like the disadvantages they have so enlarged upon, but always, as is their plan, in most general terms. On the other hand, it is generally understood, supported by their own admissions, that discussions have taken place which amount to preliminary negotiations for a regular fortnightly service of boats over a period of 40 weeks to handle all our dairy produce. One answer of many, but a complete answer in itself, is that against such a service of fortnightly boats we have had this year an infinitely superior one of 66 boats spread over a similar period of 40 weeks, or an average of seven boats a month instead of two. Onlv on one occasion was there an interval of 14 days between arrivals at Home. There lias been some irregularity of quantities lifted, but the blame by no means lies only or mainly with the shipping companies. The N.D.A., weather, labour, and 12,000 miles distance are elements for which the companies are not responsible, and which none but the promoters will dare to suggest that control will eliminate. It is useless to appeal to the promoters; but Parliament will be perpetrating a grave injustice, for which every member who supports the measure will assuredly be held responsible, if it grants such extraordinary powers to a small body of men over our premier industry for such inadequate reasons and on such misleading information. There is no shadow of doubt that, notwithstanding their assurance to Sir Thomas Clement and their cat.ch-crv of shipping regulation, the Pool “clique's” real object is to get control of the marketing.—l am, etc., E. Maxwei.l. Optmake, June 9. 1923.