MEAT BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 7

MEAT BOARD

Electoral College Wider Representation Suggested With a view to securing closer contact between the New Zealand Meat Board and the producers, the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union unanimously adopted the following resolution at the monthly meeting yesterday:— “That the executive Is of the opinion that a much wider representation on the Electoral College of the Meat Board is to be recommended in order to bring about closer contact between the Board and the producers.” The president, Mr J. C. Hay, occupied the chair. At the Invitation of the executive, Mr H. B. S. Johnstone, South Canterbury representative on the Electoral College of the Board, gave a comprehensive report on the recent activities of the Board, portion of which was taken in committee. Export Restrictions In referring to the suggestion that first grade light weight lambs be accepted for export at 241 b, Mr Johnstone said that the present 261 b limit had been Imposed about 12 months ago. This had not been done by the Government or by the Meat Board, but at the request of the Imperial Government in order to conserve shipping space. In practice the restriction was not as bad as it looked on paper. Mr Johnstone said that he did not think anything could be done at this end. The Imperial Government would be only too glad to accept heavier weights as soon as shipping space became available. Questioned in regard to the disposal of underweight lamb rejected for export, Mr Johnstone said that it Wss disposed of in the ordinary way by the freezing works. In regard to overweight mutton a considerable quantity was now in the works and would hot be dealt with until such time as th? decks were clear. The Govettlmetit had set aside £240,000 to provide facilities for the boning of meat. A sum of £200,000 would be expended on buildings and the remainder on canning machinery which had been ordered in the United States. Wheat Trial* Mr R. B. Tennant, Director of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, who acknowledged the Union’s letter in reference to the publication of results of wheat trials, advised that the statistical examination of yields was not completed by the crop experimentalist until the third week in each year. The results from the trials were then transmitted by circular to all instructors who were, responsible for general publicity and the necessary advisory work in each district. Publication by the crop experimentalist occurred only in the case of new projects—a recent example had been the “Journal of Agriculture” article on wheat under irrigation—or where results from trials over a number of years were summarised. They would agree that publicity affecting local crops was better left in the hands of instructors in the various districts, and these officers were advised of results at the earliest possible date. The fetter was referred to the Timaru officers of the Agricultural Department. Certified Seed Sales A remit by the Temuka branch suggesting that the Department of Agriculture be asked if arrangements could be made to have sacks holding certified seeds branded earlier than at present, was withdrawn, the provincial secretary explaining that Mr W. C. Stafford, of the Department of Agriculture, had informed him that the position would be improved this season.