LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 21

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

AN AMENDING DILL. WELLINGTON, July 19. The Land for Settlement Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives this evening provides for the appointment of an officer of the public service to be known as the land purchase inspector, who will be subject to the land purchase controller, and who will be a member of the Dominion Lands Purchase Board. The seat on the board, which is now held by a person appointed by the Governor-General, will, if the Bill passes, be filled permanently by the superintendent of the State Advances Office. The range of land which may be resumed by the Government for disposal is to be widened by making it legal to resume possession of the whole, or any portion of any Crown land held under lease or license, whether the land is ordinary Crown land, settlement land, or national endowment land. The written recommendation of the Land Purchase Board will be required before a proclamation of resumption may be issued, and the leases oi licenses affected will be determined on the date of proclamation. Provision is made for the payment of compensation for any substantial permanent improvement on the land resumed, and also for paying to the lessee the value of the unexpired term of his lease or license. This value will be fixed in the first instance by the Valuer-general, with the final right to appeal to a board of appeal comprising a magistrate and two assessors, one or whom will be appointed by the Minister of Lands and the other by the lessees concerned. Provision for meeting cases of hardship caused by natural disasters or other sufficient causes is also mads in the Bill. It is proposed that the Minister of Lands shall have power on the recommendation of the Land Board to remit .he payment of rent by lessees on settlement land for any period up to five years, or he may postpone payment up Co a like period, and then renew the postponement for a further period if the circumstances warrant. The postponed rent is to carry interest of not less than four per cent, per annum, which shall be payable half-yearly. If the tenant so desires he may apply to the Land Board to have postponement rent added to the capital value of his land on transfer. The

Minister may require the whole or part of the postponed payments to be paid off. The provision is to apply also to land held on the deferred payment plan. In order to facilitate the settlement of land that is not immediately productive the Minister is empowered to grant renewable leases for periods of 53 years, ami on the recommendation of the Land Board to allow the use of the land rent tree for the first 10 years. THE NORTH ISLAND. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Ther 0 has been a good many dojiths among hoggets during the past week or two. and the mortality has ,been causing some anxiety among flockmastcrs. These deaths among the best and fattest lambs appear to occur annually at this time of the year, and the matter was recently placed before the Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture. The officers of the Agricultural Department however, have been making investigations, and, according to tho Minister, these investigations confirm the opinion previously held that dietetic conditions, and not infectious or contagious diseases, are responsible for the trouble. The Hon. 0. J. Hawken, referring to the matter still further, points out that the knowledge gained by these investigations, especially as regards preventive measures, is in the hands of the department's veterinarians and inspectors of stock, and they will be glad to advise sheepowners in every possible way. The special investigating officers will also take up the work agam when tho lambing season arrives. AUSTRALIAN BUTTER POSITION. An article of interest to the Dominion, dealing with the butter position in Australia, appears in a recent issue of the Au-tialasiun. So much has been said about the need for organising markets abroad for Australian produce that in some directions co-ordination in the Commonwealth I markets appears to have been overlooked (remarks the Melbourne paper); and it goes on to say that this could lie done without eliminating competition, which is most desirable in tho interests of efficiency. In th e case of butter the Home markets could be conserved for Australian producers if a broader view of the situation. was taken, particularly by Queensland. More than once that State has had to ship a quantity of butter to London, which gave a far lower return to producers than would have been the case if th 0 butter had been sold to other parts of the Commonwealth when it was needed. This has been the outcome of a short-sighted policy adopted by sellers there, and, despite previous experience, a repetition of this state of affairs occurred this year. 'Die result was that a fairly large quantity of butter was imported from New Zealand. It meant not only that Queensland lost a lot of business at more satisfactory prices than wore available in London, but. New Zealand, by meeting the demand of importers hero, avoided the necessity’ for placing the quantity shipped hero in the British market, where prices were low. Another aspect of the dairying industry in Australia relates to the question whether it is advisable to store butter on a large scale for winter use. Much is involved in this question, ami traders might take the view that it may be profitable to do so. particularly when prices in London are at an unpayable level. Heavy storage of butter for future use, however, does not tend to encourage the production of butter in the winter months to the extent that otherwise might be the case. Costs to the producer then are heavy, and competition from from stored butter does not offer any inducement for him to increase his output of butter-fat. In existing circumstances the tendency may be gradually to make dairying a seasonal matter instead of encouraging increased production throughout the year. This would be economically unsound, and, therefore, should be avoided. DAiRY BOARD AND N.D.A.

The National Dairy Association and the Dairy Produce Board arc now apparently duplicating their work without any restriction on expenditure. The principal of a dairy produce firm at Auckland has been giving a little publicity to this matter, and he mentioned that the best thing the Dairy Produce Board could have done would have been to " take the bull by the horns ” and abolish it altogether. He goes on to explain that the National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., was formed many years ago for the co-operative benefit of the dairying industry, and surely, if it is not capable of doing all that the Dairy Produce Board now has to do. what is the use of the association? It was significant that the Dairy Produce Board had had to enlist the services of the National Dairy Association in shipping arrangements. paying a substantial subsidy for services rendered.

“It has been my view all along that there was no need for both organisations, and at the present time the farmer is decidedly not in a position to carry this twin burden.” the informant said. “ Why does not the board bow to the inevitable and get out gracefully? ” A second expert, when this point of view was placed before him. agreed that there was less need now than ever for both bodies, but he pointed out what he termed an anomaly in the position of the National Dairy Association. That body, had recently taken over the agency of the New Zealand Co-operative Marketing Association, which in turn acted for the Co-operative Wholesale Society in England. The last-named body was supported- in the main by Labour shareholders and was designed to supply dairy produce as cheaply’ as possible to the working masses in the districts where it operated. • If, as was now proposed, the DairyProduce Board continued the system of auditing the accounts of British merchants. it was reasonable to presume that information so gained would be made available by the board to the National Dairy Association, with which the board was in league. That would operate to the benefit of the Co-operative Wholesale Society and the detriment of competing firms, who would be “ in the dark ” as to information gleaned from the auditing of accounts. By’ the very nature of its constitution, moreover, the British organisation named would not operate to the best advantage of the New Zealand producer, especially as it dealt very largely' in Danish butter. “It is an anomalous position which will have to be cleared up, he said.

The expert first interviewed had some, thing to say about th? retention of •’ finest ” grade by the Dairy’ Produce Board, and the continued use of the national Fern Leaf ” brand. ’* To continue to grade ‘ finest ’ is an absurd mistake,” he said. " No premium will be offered for it, and the first and second grades would afford an ample quality differentiation.” The use of the “ Fern Leaf ’ brand was, in his opinion, nothing but confusing to the mind of the British consumer. “ New Zealand Produce ” stamped on boxes and packages was quite an adequate medium for the creation of a demand for the produce of the Dominion. DAIRYING IN TARANAKI. The dairy industry' iq Taranaki is flourishing, and farmers are realising that the top-dressing enterprise is proving veryprofitable. Al! companies are now holding their annual meetings, and the reports indicate that though prices were low last season, production increased so much. as the result of a bountiful season, that the loss in price was largely compensated by’ excess produetion over the previous year’s figures. The Oxford-Carrington company's table of quantities and averages, as compared with last year, the latter figures being in parentheses, work out as follows; Number of suppliers. 21 (19); milk received, 4,230,1481 b (4.033,4381 b butterfat, 104.0601 b (155,5271 b cheese made, 451,1001 b (417.1001 b lb milk per lb cheese, 9.37 (9.67); lb cheese per lb butterfat. 2.74 (2.68); average test, 3.87 (3.85); average price paid suppliers, — (20.62 d average grade, 92.99 (89.82); cost to f.o.b. per 11> butter-fat, 3.38 (3.36). The Brooklands company reports an increase of 15 tons of cheese over the preceding year. The following summary shows the quantities and averages of the season’s production over the previous year; Number of suppliers. I'2 (11); milk separated, — (73,591): butter-fat from milk separated, — (3200); milk for cheesemaking, 4.154.489 (3,832.076) ; butter-fat, 159,873 (145,411); cheese made, 428.650 (394,300); lb milk per lb cheese, 9.69 (9.71); lb cheese per lb butter-fat, 2.68 (2.711; average test. 3.844 (3.79); paid suppliers. — (19.50'd) : average grade, 92.53 (90.41); cost to f.o.b. lb butter-fat, 3.94 d (3.5H1). Statistics for the M area companv for the year ended May- 31 are as follows, the previous year’s figures being shown in parentheses: Number of suppliers, 21 (21); milk received. 8,582.5171 b (7,998,8361 b ; butter-fat, 349,4621 b (324,OSOlb) ; average fest, 4.07 (4.05); cheese made, factory weights. 921,0491 b (860,480 lb); creamery butter made, nil (13181 b lb of milk to lb of cheese, 9.32 (9.26); lb of cheese to lb butter-fat, 2.63 (2.66); official average grade, cheese, 91.980 (91.005). IN .NORTH AUCKLAND. Dairying in the North Auckland district is also making remarkable heacdway, the climatic conditions being very favourable for such an industry. For instr nee, the Kaitaia Co-operative Company manufactured 704 tons of butter, against 522 tons in the corresponding period last year. The advances made to suppliers during the season amounted to £74,520, against £64.731 in 1925-26. It has to be remembered that the payments this year were at tho rate of 13.64 d per lb for butter-fat, whereas those for the previous year were at tlie rate of 15.935 d. At the present rate of progress the time is not far distant when the revenue from butter-fat alon 6 will reach tho £100,001) mark; indeed, if by-products such as calves and pigs are taken into account, it is safe to say that that mark lias already been exceeded. This is eloquent testimony to the claims of the north as a great dairying centre. The Bay of Islands Dairy Company reports a record output, the make of butter being 84 tons odd more than the previous season. The Maungati'peio- Company’s output of butter exceeded 515 tons, the largest amount the factory had produced in any one year, with an average grade of 92.748 per cent. It was proposed to pay a divident of 3i per cent, on share capital. Stocks of butter on hand and afloat were valued at £6593 6s 6d. The average price paid to suppliers was Is 2’d per lb. ” OVER RUN.” Now and again discussion arises on the question of “ over-run,” and only a few days ago a dairy factory supplier contended that it was impossible to obtain a greater over-run in butter-making than 20 per cent, by fair means. To this the manager of a Main Trunk factory replies, and contends that it is possible to legitimately obtain an over-run of 21 per cent, at least, and under exceptionally’ favourable conditions one of 22 per cent. Tho manager goes on io say that the ‘’over-run ” in butter-making means the amount of butter made in excess of the butter-fat received. Thus, if from 1061 b of butter-fat 1201 b of butter arc made, the over-run is 20 per cent. The excess is made up of water, salt, and curd in about the following proportions: Water 15.5 per cent., salt 2 per cent., and curd 1 per cent. Tho legal minimum percentage of fat in butter is 80 per cent., and on this basis, if it were possible to manufacture butter without loss, an overrun of 25 per cent, would be obtainable. For if from 801 b of fat 1001 b of butter may be manufactured, then I‘OOtb of fat would produce 1251 b of butter. However, losses in tho process of manufacture do occur, and these may be roughly put down at 1.25 ) f cent, of the butter made. Estimating tlie average fat content, of factory butter to be 81.5 per cent., and allowing for manufacturing lass of 1.25 per cent., tho overrun would be 21.16 per cent. Thusloo — 1.25 is equal to 98.751 b of fat sold in the butter.' 93.75 phis 100 divided by. 81.5 is equal to 121.161 b of butter made, giving an over-run of 21.16 per cent. SUGAR BEET PROSPECTS. Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P., Avon, recently brought before the Minister of Industries .and Commerce the question of the establishment of the sugar beet industry in New Zealand. The Hon. A. I). M’Leod has replied to the effect that investigations as to progress of similar undertakings in other parts of the world were being made by the Department of Industries and Commerce, and during his recent visit to the Commonwealth of Australia he inspected the sugar beet factory at Maffra. Victoria. “It is proposed later on in th? session.” added the Minister, “to place tho results of these investigations before the indus-

tries and Commerce Committee of the House, and to allow interested parties to give evidence on the local proposals.'’ UNFINANCIAL FARMERS’ UNION

MEMBERS. The fact that so many farmers enjoy all the privileges of the union but fail to help it financially, is a bone of contention among those deeply interested in the Farmers’ Union. The matter has been receiving further attention lately, and there is no doubt thit hundreds of farmers are unfinancial on the books. In the Gisborne district alone a survey was recently made of the position, and it shows a remarkable state of affairs. The Poverty Bay Executive controls nearly 600 members, and of these 371 are unfinancial. If all these paid up. it would mean an amount of £Bl5 being added to the union funds. This figure more than represents the liabilities of the Poverty Bav Executive, which stands a t £735. REJUVENATION OF SHEEP AND EXPERIMENTS IN OTAGO.

In the course of an article on the rejuvenation of sheep, the Poverty Bay Herald refers to the fact that a short limo ago the Poverty Bay Provinicial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union obtained details of the Voronoff system of grafting new tissues on to sheep. It was claimed on old animals it would restore lost potency, and on the young ones _ would bo the means of producing heavier-woolled and more virile offspring. The particulars obtained were forwarded to the Otago Provincial Council, who promised to keep Poverty Bay in close touch with the progress of experiments to be undertaken by Dr Pickerill. of the Otago University.

The latest advice obtained by Poverty Bay is that Dr Pickerill. who was one of the pioneers in the grafting of human tissues, was particularly interested in this phase of grafting, and stated that he would be willing to carry out the operations without fee if the union would make the necessary arrangements. This was done, and operations were commenced at Lovell’s Flat on two Leicester and two stud Romney rams at Becks. Since the treatment given the rams have been doing well. It was the doctor’s opinion that it would probably be three or four months before any marked effect would be noted in th e animals which have received the graft. Arrangements had been made for photographs to be taken from time to time, and forwarded to the doctor, who would make reports periodically. Assistance had been given in the operations by the Department of Agriculture. * CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH. July 22. The potato market is passing through a somewhat stressful period. The easing has develeped through the week, but today there was some evidence of the market rallying, and it can at least be said that it is now steadier. Potatoes which were offered for August-September delivery at £4 17s 6d, f.0.b., s.i., were picked up, as were also a limited quantity of £5 offers. July potatoes have been sold at £4 12s fid. f.0.b., s.i.. and it is stated that some sales have taken place at this figure. For the first week in August prices to farmers on trucks are £3 10s a

ton. The next vessels for the North Island are due to leave early in the week.

Wheat remains firm at recent quotations—6s Id on trucks, but there is little offering. Oats are quoted at 3s 44d to 3s sd, f.0.b., s.i., Lyttelton, for A Gartons, and 3s to 3s Id for B’s. Business is very restricted. Chaff is in weaker demand, due possibly to the milder weather. It is worth £3 15s on trucks. August-September sales have been made at £5 12s 6d, f.0.b., s.i. The seed market is quoted at 5-}d to 6d a lb on trucks; machine-dressed, 9Jd, f.0.b., s.i. Cow grass is mentioned at Sd to 9d a lb on trucks, and white clover of which there is a plentitude, at 71d to SJd. Perennial ryegrass is worth 2s*6d to 2s 9d a bushel on trucks, and Italian Is 9d. The onion market, which is one of the worst for prices for years, is slightly brighter, values being £3 a ton on trucks. BUTTER-FAT PRODUCTION. PALMERSTON N., July 22. A statement issued by the Manawatu Herd Testing Association. claims that the record butter-fat production of the Dominion belongs to a member of the association, Mr W. J. Shailer, of Oroua Downs, with a herd of 26 cows, which averaged 406.551 b of fat in 285 days. Other herds in the association averaged 3601 b and over. WAIKATO’S COUNTER-CLAIM. HAMILTON, July 22. A comparison of the Manawatu herd testing figures with those for the Waikato re-

veals the fact that the local averages are, in several instances, ahead of those of Manawatu, whose claim to a Dominion record may be disputed. The latest returns for the Waikato showed that a herd of 12 cows averaged 440.661 b of butter-fat in 290 days; another of 29 cows, 419.201 b of butter-fat in 271 days; and a 54-cow herd, 413.991 b of butter-fat in 234 days; while five or six other herds passed the 4001 b mark.