PIG BREEDERS’ INTERESTS

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1928, Page 5

PIG BREEDERS’ INTERESTS

THE NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING’ HELD. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association was held at Palmerston North last week, Mr. N. P. Nielsen presiding. The report stated:—The sum of £lO4 8s has been written off. Of this sum £lB 18s has been actually written off and the balance of £B6 is a reserve made against possible losses through outstanding subscriptions proving uncollectible. Registration and transfer fees show an increase of £73 13s 8d over last year and entrance and »übscription fees an increase of £122 14s. It is noticeable that, although the herd book figures are greatly increased, the fees have advanced by only £7B 13s Bd. This is due to the fact that the fees for many entrants, shown as having joined this year, were paid last year. Volume X of the herd book is now completed and contains entries as follows: Berkshires, 974; Tamworths, 594; Yorkshires, CO; Large Whites, 420; Large Blacks, 135; total, 2183.” The chairman said that the association had had a very successful year and had done much to forward the interests of the swine industry. The reduction of entrance fees from a guinea to half a guinea had proved a good move and had resulted in many new members joining. Though a numbci of fees were outstanding, the secretary, Mr. K. S. Glendinning, had done very good work, both in getting new members, collecting subscriptions and generally in watching the affairs of the association. That freights had not been reduced by the Railway Department, though they had received an assurance that this would be done, was contended by Mr. Discombe. It was decided to write to the Government urging that railway freights upon pedigree stock bo re duced. The election of members of the council resulted in Messrs. N. P. Nielsen, J. McFarland and C. W. Anderson being appointed.

A remit was received from the Auckland branch to the effect that no member who did not actively engage in the breeding of pedigree pigs be eligible for election to the council. In speaking to the remit Mr. A. W. Green said that the Auckland members felt that the pedigree breeding of pigs should be absolutely controlled by the men who bred the pigs. The encouraging of the breeding of pedigree stock was after all the chief business of the association and the breeders of pure stock should have the control of affairs in their hands. Messrs. Anderson and Discombe sunnorted this view. Mr. H. E. Fieldhouse said that there were many farmers breeding crossbred stock. These men might well have the ability and will to further the wellbeing of the pig industry, and there appeared to be no good reason why they should bo excluded from giving their services on the council.

On it being pointed out that what the motion really involved was a change of the rules of the association, a member moved that the meeting recommend the council to alter the rules to provide that only pedigree breeders be eligible to seats on that body. The motion was carried. A further remit was received from the Auckland branch —that the president be changed every year, the retiring one not being eligible for re-election. Mr. Anderson, in seconding the motion, said that the association was a national one embracing the whole of New Zealand, and he thought that to foster the interests of the association it would be best to rotate the honour attached to the presidential chair amongst members of the council from various districts. A letter was received from the Mana-watu-Oroua branch stating that the Writers were desirous of ascertaining the opinion of the association on a suggested scheme of competitions for breeding pigs. The branch felt that the scheme would greatly stimulate interest in the industry. The suggested scheme was to take around a team of pigs, the team to consist o six classes, with five pigs in each class. The competition would be held in conjunction with various shows, each branch to select its own team of thirty pigs and forward to a show where they would be judged in competition with the teams from other branches. The chairman said that the scheme seemed to have desirable features, but was a bit big. For a beginning, ten pigs might be better for a team. Cr. C. G. C. Dernier moved that representatives of the various branches be asked to prepare details and submit a draft scheme to the council for consideration and the motion was carried. The question as to whether the association should continue to conduct annual sales at Palmerston North was discussed. Mr. C. W. Anderson moved that the association discontinue the annual sale and that the association recognise only auctions conducted under the auspices of local branches. Mr. Knight seconded the motion, which was carried. It was decided that it be n recommendation to the executive that it aiter the rules to provide that the annual meeting could itself alter the rules. Mr. Anderson stressed the point that the association was reaching a stage of development where separate judges should be nominated for the Royal Show for each class of pig—a man who might be competent to judge Berkshires might not be a competent critic of Tamworths. The chairman pointed out that the expense might lie great. The council intended to nominate at least two i’"’"eB. Mr. Anderson moved that the council be asked to recommend to the Royal Show that it appoint separate judges for each breed, and the motion was carried. Mr. Ross moved that the council be asked to engage an inspector to inspect the piggeries of all registered breeders. Mr. Lever seconded the motion. The chairman agreed with the desirability of the move, but pointed out that the expense would be very heavy and it might prove impossible to find the money. One man would not be able to cover the work—several would be necessary. Mr. Green moved an amendment that it be a recommendation to the council that it investigate the cost of appointing an inspector and report to the next general meeting. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Sheppard and carried. On being put as the motion, it was also carried. The standard of judging laid down by the association for its judges was mentioned by Mr. Green, who declared that it required revising. The chairman reported that the council had investigated the matter and found alterations undesirable.