COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 13

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, July 18. Speaking at the annual conference of the Council ol Agriculture to-dav, Mr Massey said he had always thought that the proper thing for a Government to do was to assist the primary producers ir; every possible way. In doing so the Government was assisting the whole community. That Has the line ho had taken, and which he was endeavouring to follow now. As the result of the increase in our primary products and our exports, the country was in a good position to-day. Compared with other countries. New Zealand was now in a position to be envied. Last year we reduced our indebtedness by £1,500,000, which was something to be proud of. In 11 years we hud doubled our exports, which now totalled £47,000,000. He pointed to the splendid position of our revenue and revenue-pro-ducing assets. The application of Nauru pihosphates had materially assisted to increase production. Alluding to udvtuices to settlers, Mr Massey said that the Government was in a much better position to assist settlers today than it was 12 months ago. The amount, that could be advanced would be increased under new legislation from £2OOO to £3500. Legislation would be submitted to Parliament to put soldiers on the land in much better portion than they occupied to-day. We should as far as possible re move the taxation imposed for war purposes. He said that ho hojved to reduce the 7s 4d maximum income tax to ss.

Mr J. D. Hall (retiring president), dis cussing agricultural education in his

address, said that this matter had received the attention of the executive during me past year, and the opinion was general that something should be done to introduce a system which would give New Zealand farmers and their sons be,tter opportunities for developing themselves and their farms. ’’ I am glad of the opportunity,” said the president, “ of expressing, on behalf of the farmers this council represents, their very keen appreciation of and gratitude to fair Walter Buchanan for his generous and thoughfiil benefaction for the purpose of establishing a Chair of Agriculture for Victoria College. The fact that our urban population exceeds that of our country districts is a matter for serious consideration. Life’s prospects for our boys are so much in favour of the towns, both as to high schools and technical colleges, and also as to the amounts that can be earned under award wages in towns, compared with farm work in the oountrv, that there ig little wonder the drift to the towns is increasing year by year. As long as mechanics and artisans working under award wages can earn more than farmers working a 300-acre farm of medium quality land, there is little hope of efi’ecting any improvement in this important matter. The whole subject requires careful inquiry and study by some committee of investigation, which should report not only as to existing conditions here, but also as to methods adopted in other countries regarding rural life and its development. L’nti] we have a happy, enlightened, and prosperous country 7 people, we shall have no enduring prosperity in New Zealand.” On the motion of Mr D. M. M‘Lean (Ma.sterton), it was resolved—“ That now that the country is in a better financial position, the Government be urged to adopt a. more progressive policy in regard to training future farmers.” Mr M‘Lean said that a visitor had stated that one could see a racecourse every 50 miles but not a single agricultural college in the North Island. Remits were carried, empowering the executive to proceed with the formation of the Royal Society’s first show, to be held in Palmerston North, and the second at Christchurch. Charter donations of £IOOO each had been promised from Messrs R. D. M‘Lean and W. D. Hunt, in addition to a similar sum already promised by Sir Walter Buchanan. In regard to local body 7 loans of debentures, the executive had considered these, and it was considered that the low taxation operating on such investments diverted the moneys which ordinarily 7 would be lent on first mortgage on farm properties. The fact that the interest on mortgages was taxed up to the maximum of 7s 4d in the £ precluded farmers from obtaining the financial aid necessary to the development of the country. A remit was passed that the Government should give serious and practical consideration to the drastic cut in the railway freights, as such would tend to reduce heavy lorry traffic, which is doing so much more damage to the main roads. Sir James Wilson said thev would bo surprised at the amount of overloading on fourton waggons carrying six-ton loads, which did the most damage to the roads. A protest was made against the heavy taxation, which was crushing the primry industries. It was also stated that Ihe published remarks of Sir Harold Beauchamp and Sir George Elliot, that the land of New Zealand was over-valued, were doing harm to the dominion in destroying public confidence. COMPANIES AND INCOME TAX. WELLINGTON. July 19. The conference of the Now Zealand Council of Agriculture was continued today. It, was resolved—“ That the conference is of opinion that the present method of levying income tax on companies is unjust, and calls for immediate revision, because it compels companies to increase their charges to cover the tax, and because these taxes are ultimately paid by the farmers. T he conference therefore urgently requests the Government to adopt the method in force in other parts of the British Empire—viz., to charge companies a flat rate on their individual profits only and to include the dividend in the taxable incomes of the receivers.” It was also resolved that valuation of land be made on the productive value only, and not on its selling value. The following remits from the Gore branch were moved by Mr W. D. Hunt and adopted : “ (1) That where land is about to be revalued by the department for purposes of local or general taxation, the departmental officers appointed“*for the purpose should, prior to making their final valuation, give to the owner of such land or his agent an opportunity of discussing on the spot the values of the land and the improvements thereon.” “ (2) That as the present method of arriving at the unimproved value of land is faulty, in that no consideration is given to such matters as liming, manuring, and good farming generally, resulting in the illogical and inequitable raising of the unimproved value in certain cases as a direct result of energetic handling and capable management, the conference asks that in making the valuation full consideration bo given to all classes of improvements affecting the selling value of the land.” “(3) That no valuer be hampered by set limits as to the valuc-s of improvements, local conditions often rendering such work unusually costly.” “ (4) That improvements such as clearing. draining, levelling, and planting be valued on a more liberal basis than that at present.” The Executive Council for the ensuing year was elected as follows : North Island. —Messrs D. M‘Gregor (Gladstone), H. B. Stuckey (Dannevirke), O. J. Hawken, M.P. (Hawera), E. D. McLennan (Auckland), G. L. Marshall (Marton), H. Y. Lethbridge (Turakina). South Island. —Messrs W. D. Pike (Blenheim), W. IX Hunt (Wellington), J. Begg (Dunedin), E. F. Duthie (Dunedin), and L. Watson (Oxford). Two remits sent forward for Stratford were as follows: — “That the attention of the Bacteriological Department be drawn to a large amount of sterility existing amongst cows at the present time, and that urgent steps be taken to cope with the trouble, which is oausing considerable loss.” “That the Council of Agriculture make representations to the Government that qualified veterinary surgeons be appointed to the large dairying districts with the suggestion that the cost of same be met

by a Government grant subsidised by the local factories.” Dr C. J. Peakes (Director of Agriculture) explained what the department was doing in regard to sterility. In regard to the matter of appointing a veterinary surgeon he said that the veterinary profession was not a legal profession in New Zealand. Doctors, chemists, lawyers, and even plumbers were protected, and had to be competent before they could prastise. Anyone in this country could call himself a veterinary surgeon, collect fees, and do work in connection with the treatment of cattle whether competent or not. That deterred many good men from coming to New Zealand because they would find themselves up against unfair and unreasonable competition. It could not be altered without an Act of Parliament. Both remits were carried. Mr Watson (Oxford) introduced a Methven remit urging the dehorning of all cattle (purebreds excepted) before the age of two years, and also urging that the Government be asked _ legislate in that direction. A year ago, he said, he knew nothing about it, but he had tried it since and found the cattle quieter and less dangerous. Mr Marshall: If we want to get good beef the cattle will have to be 'ehomed. Reference was made to the fact that where dehorned cattle had been slaughtered the damage to the beef bv bruising was nil, whereas in horned cattle the damage by bruising amounted to 20 per centDr Reakes agreed that dehorning was certainly far better so far as the question of beef was concerned. There had been ample evidence of it in the freezing works. One or two members objected to it being made compulsory. It was also urged that in show cattle a good deal of character was to be found in the horns. There was no objection to dehorning for commercial purposes. —The remit was carried with two dissentients. A Canterbury remit that a fuller forecast of weather conditions on the east coast of the dominion be published was carried, also that a request be made to the Meteorological Department that early forecasts be supplied to settlers in country districts by means of the telephone. Sir Walter Buchanan suggested that the department might also obtain reports by wireless from ships trading between New Zealand and Australia. Such information would be valuable and the experiment interesting. The need for afforestation was urged in the following remit from Hawke’s Bay, which was carried: —“That local bodies throughout the dominion take up a vigorous forestry policy, and approach the Government for grants of land free of cost and taxation for forestry purposes. Mr P. R. M’Donald (Canterbury) remarked that in a few years they would not be able to get a stick of Oregon pine in New Zealand. All timber-producing countries were eating up their timber, and would have none to export. Mr Absolom (Hawke’s Bay): If you are not going to take up the forestry ouestion you will have a very heavy burden for those who come after you in 20 years’ time. After passing a resolution that the next conference be held in Christchurch it was found that the rules provided for notice being given of any change in this direction. As this has not been done next year’s conference must be held in Wellington. HERD TESTING. MEETING AT WAIKOUAITT. In response to an invitation from the Waikouaiti branch of the Farmers' Union about 40 farmers met in the Public Hall on Thursday night to hear an address by Mr A. O. Ross (Dairy Division, Dunedin) on “Herd-testing.” Delegates were present from Goodwood, Waikouaiti, and Merton Co-operative Dairy Companies. The Waitaki Dairy Company and the Co-opera-tive Dairy Company of Otago were also represented. Mr J. Birtlea (president of the union) occupied the chair, and, in introducing Mr Ross, said they welcomed him as a man well qualified in his work and an enthusiast in all matters relating to the advancement of the dairying industry. No doubt liad the

weather and roads been more favourable many more would have been present. Mr Iloss, who was warmly received, illustrated his iecture by lantern slides, showing the splendid results obtained at Owaka and other centres where herd-testing was carried out. This progressive movement had started in the Wairarapa in 1905, and had since made great progress in the North Island, especially during the last two years. Unfortunately, the south had been rather conservative in the matter, but it was now alive to the importance of the work, and a number of new associations were being organised at present, Farmers who had carried out the work for a few years had increased the butter-fat production per cow by 100 per cent, and more. There was no reason why, with so many cows giving from 500 to over 10001 b of fat per annum, the dominion average should bo as low as 168.501 b. It was a matter of culling, feeding, and breeding. A healthy rivalry, better treatment of the herds, and bettor farming generally, had followed the herdtesting movement throughout New Zealand. Many farmers thought they knew their best cows without testing. This had been proved a delusion. There was only one method to adopt—the scales and the Babcock tester were the jury before which the the dairy cow must be tried. Mr Ross explained that the work was easily carried out, and caused little dislocation of the farm routine. A box of sample bottles is issued to the farmer from the testing station, and two days’ milk of each cow each month is weighed and a sample taken. The weight sheets, with samples, are returned to the testing station, where the test is recorded, and the butter-fat yield worked out. Roughly, the cost amounted to about 3s or 3s 6d per cow per annum. He strongly urged the formation of an association in Waikouaiti. If the districts from Waitati to Palmerston were included sufficient support should be obtained to justify having a testing officer wholly employed at the work. In this case 2000 cows would be required. Mr J. M. White, speaking in support of the movement, congratulated the Farmers’ Union on its initiative in calling the meeting. It had anticipated tne wishes cf the farmers, who had only been awaiting a lead. Now that had been afforded, ho hoped they would go right ahead with the formation of an Out of 84.0C0 cows tested in the dotninionNlast season the South Island tested only some 2000. This was not in keeping with the part Otago had played in the dairy industry 30 years ago. With butter-fat at Is 6d per lb. an increase of 201 b of butter-fat per cow would credit Otago and Southland* with £97,000 per annum. Farmers were not content, to allow the factory manager to guess the weight and fat content of their milk. To be consistent they ought not to guess at the production of their individual cows. After several questions had l>een answered, Mr William ia?e, Goodwood moved the following resolution: —“That a herdtesting association, to be called the Waikouaiti and Waihemo Herd-testing Association, be formed, and that co-operation be invited from the districts between Waitati and Palmerston.” Speaking to the resolution, Mr Lee said thev should strive to secure 2000 cows. They could then afford to have an independent testing officer, which would be the most desirable method. In the event, of this number not being reached, an arrangement