A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 7

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Committee of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday. Present: Dr P. R. Woodhouse (chairman) and Messrs C. H. S. Johnstone, R. J. Murphy, H B. S. Johnstone, W. H. Orbell, G. McKeown, T. Seaton. H. Lowry. B. E. H. Tripp, P. R. Talbot, P. Porter, E. Hart, A. S. Eiworthy, T. R. Rhodes, R. Guinness, C. L. Orbell, R. Maddren, W. J. Bassett, M. F. Maze, Herbert Eiworthy and W. J. Parry. Correspondence. A letter was received from Mr F. Charles acknowledging the Association’s congratulations on his success in gaining second award in the fat lamb competition conducted by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board in January last. The writer expressed the hope that the competition would be held between December 15th and 20 this year, as it was held tbo late last year. The milk lambs were gone and had lost their milk bloom, and rape lambs, to his mind, had no chance with milk lambs, as they would not show the same at Home. He hoped that more interest would, be taken in the competition, as it was the best means of advertising New Zealand lamb on the Home market. The Board were to be complimented for taking the matter up. Thanks for permission to erect thirty lockers at the Show Grounds, were received from the North End Golf Club.

The secretary (Mr H. H. Fraser) reported that the lockers had been installed, and were very satisfactory. A circular was received from the Canterbury Agricultural College drawing attention to the annual short course for farmers at the College, which this year would be held from June 27th to July 7th. The meeting discussed remits to be presented at the annual conference of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, the chairman being appointed to represent the Association. Conference in Dunedin. The secretary reported on the conference held at Dunedin recently, which was representative of many of the A. and P. Associations of the South Island. The question of forming a South Island Federation of A. and P. Associations, was the principal business, and it had been left 1o the Otago Association to draw up a constitution to be submitted to the various South Island Associations. Wyndham had introduced the question of side-shows, it being thought that if a certain element was weeded out, it would be a step in the right direction. This could be well considered by a Federation. The secretary was accorded a vote if thanks for attending the conference and for his report. Wool Matters. Commenting on a budget of “Wool Intelligence Notes,” the first of a series to be issued on behalf of the Wool Statistics Advisory Committee of the Empire Marketing Board, the chairman said it was stated that prices had remained steady for merinos .since the end of 1932 and they were still well above the lowest prices realised in this year. In the case of coarse cross-breds the price fall has been most marked, but current prices were still slightly above the low point in June 1932. Production for the current year would equal that of last year. Fine wool was increasing slightly at the expense of coarse wool. Australian production would probably be a record, but might fall when the economies that had •taken place in connection with rabbit extermination and fences, were felt. New Zealand sheep had declined to the extent of 2,000,000 in two years, hut the average field for sheep had improved. There was little alteration :n other countries, but in the Argentine the restriction of mutton and lamb exports w T as likely in the future to reduce the demand for wool production. It was satisfactory to notice that while in the four main exporting countries there had been an increased production of approximately 50 per cent., it was anticipated that there would not be any great carry over.

Mr Tripp said that it had been stated by Senator Guthrie, an authority on wool, that the Australian clip this year would be down to the extent of 300,000 bales. South Africa had suffered a severe drought, and between the two countries there was a possibility that the decrease would be in the vicinity of 500,000 bales or more. There was not going to be the early rush of lambs from Australia owing to dry weather, and all these factors should be in New Zealand's favour. The Marketing Board were thanked for theh; information. Cost of Extras. The high cost of extras for farm implements was referred to by Mr Parry, ivho considered that something should be done to bring about a more reasonable state of affairs. Mr A. S. Eiworthy: “The trouble is that most of the implements are made in America.” It was decided that the matter be investigated by the Agricultural Committee. Wheat and Flour Importations. Mr Porter considered that a protest should be lodged with the Government agait the importation of wheat and flour into the Dominion. A total of 106,000 bushels was imported during February, March and April, and in nis opinion there was no need to bring wheat into the country when this product was already being exported. There was now not a free market and the Government should have no excuse for not stopping imports. Mr C. L. Orbell: “Most of the wheat is going to the West Coast of the North Island.’’

It was decided, on the motion of Messrs Porter and W. H. Orbell, that a protest be lodged with the Minister of Industries and Commerce.