“NOT IN PICTURE.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20625, 28 May 1935, Page 10

“NOT IN PICTURE.”

Canterbury Lamb Wins No Prizes. (Special to the "Star.” ASHBURTON, This Dav. The annual conference of the MidCanterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Ashburton to-day. In his annual report, the president (Mr R. A. Oakley) referred to the disappointing season experienced by wool growers, the net proceeds in many cases being less than half of the previous season. He stressed the necessity for farmers breeding their ewe lambs to improve the standard of flocks and replace old ewes. Up to a few years ago. large numbers of ewes were shipped from the North Island to Canterbury, and although the wool was not all that could be desired they were excellent sheep for breeding fat lambs for export. From the results of the South Island competitions for fat lambs on hooks in London recently, it was apparent that Southland had wrested the laurels, as Canterbury lambs were not even in the picture. Mr Oakley expressed gratification that the irrigation farm at Seafield xvks to be carried on as previously. In summarising the activities of the executive in the past year, he stated that the following bad received attention: (1) Derating of rural lands; (2) amending existing tariffs by a reduction on the necessities of life and tools of production; (3) general reduction in costs of production; (4) reduction of transport charges; (5) an amendment to the hospital rating system so as to rectify the present unjust incidence of the tax borne by the rural taxpayer; (6) transport legislation; (7) investigations regarding the internal parasites of stock; (8) unemployment problems. The financial statement showed that the year started with a credit of £1 8s 7d and closed with a credit of £8 13s lid. Revenue totalled £225 3s 6d, including branch levies £B7 10s and £ll7 13s 6d from the Dominion executive. The following officers were elected: President. Mr Raymond A. Oakley; vice-presidents, senior Mr G. Franks, junior Mr S. 11. Lilly; treasurer, Mr F. Frampton; secretary, Mr W. 11. Amos: auditor, Mr J. W. Bowden. Remits Carried.. The following remits were approved: That this conference is against any relaxation on the embargo on the importation of stock into New Zealand; that the Meteorological Department and the Broadcasting Board he approached to give weather reports at 12. 30 p.m. and at 4.30 p.m. to enable farmers to know when to move stock; that the executive place before the Railway Department and the Transport Board the losses incurred with pigs while in transit from farms to saleyards and factory and endeavour to obtain better transport facilities.