IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

Wairarapa Daily Times, 1 August 1933, Page 3

IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

SHEEP AND WOOL. AIASTERTON DISCUSSION. A meeting of Wairarapa sheep farmers was held in the Farmers' Rooms yesterday afternoon to discuss the Sheep and Wool Improvement Scheme. Air Hugh Morrison, Provincial President of the Farmers’ Union, presided. The appointed speakers were Mr J. E. Hewitt, Dr. E. Marsden, head of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Sir William Perry.

Mr Morrison said this matter had been given a great deal of consideration by the Sheepowners' Federation and the Farmers’ Union. It had been decided that it was a matter for the promoting committee to put to the farmers themselves. To that end open meetings of sheep-owners like the present were being called. Questions would be answered and motions would be put after the speakers had been heard. Air Hewitt said that in many cases people who had been opponents'of this scheme had been converted to support after hearing it fully explained. The scheme could succeed only if it had-the •whole-hearted support of sheep farmers. It had been stated that the 3d levy was an attempt to. increase expenditure. He was confident, however, that the levy would be returned a thou-sand-fold to those who paid it. Contrary to some statements that had been made, ample publicity had been given to the meetings at which the scheme had been promoted. With the exception of the 3d levy, there was no element of compulsion in the scheme. Dealing with the voluntary inspection and certification of sires, Air Hewitt said that this probably would do more good than anything else in the scheme. This was the committee’s opinion, but to their surprise it had been received with almost universal disapproval. He was himself responsible for this part of the scheme and ■what was proposed was that the men whose sheep were inspected should bear the cost. The proposed 3d levy had nothing to do with that work. There was much less trimming of flock sheep than people supposed. As to stud sheep he said nothing. Stud breeders were supposed to be experts and able to protect themselves. It would be very difficult to enforce regulations making trimming illegal. It had been proved that returns could be increased considerably by an efficient classing of wool. One object of the scheme was to investigate freights with a view to securing a reduction. On an 80-bale clip, a man would pay £1 a year under the 3d levy. A reduction of l-8d per lb in freight would save on the same clip about £l4 10s. Alembers of the committee were to get nothing more than out of pocket expenses. This meant that only absolute enthusiasts would undertake the work. It was agreed generally that something must be done. The only differences were regarding the method of financing the scheme. The committee was opposed to asking the Government for a grant. This meant relying either on the proposed levy or on the Meat Board. The committee considered the

levy the fairer method. The Meat Board had ended the year with a deficit of some £7OOO. How then could the Meat Board finance this scheme without imposing a levy of some kind. Mr Hewitt said that if this scheme were to be carried out it must be supported by an assured annual income. This could not be done out of reserves. They must be in a position to employ first-class instructors. The revenue of the Meat Baord was collected in such a way that some sheep farmers made no contribution to it. The levy on wool was considered to be the fairest way of spreading the cost of the scheme. Mr Hewitt said that he was of opinion that the Meat Board could not undertake the scheme unless its constitution were altered. It was proposed that in electing the committee to control J the scheme an electoral college should be elected in twelve districts in the North Island. In the election of the Meat Board there were five districts in the North Island. It had been hinted that the Meat Board might adopt the twelve-district division. One member of the electoral college to be constituted under the scheme would be allotted for every 750,000 sheep in an electoral district. The Wairarapa would be entitled to two members of the electoral college. The electoral college would elect a council of five to administer the scheme. There would be ward system. The aim would be to secure the best men, even if two or three came from one district. It was proposed that the electoral college should meet at least once a year and it would have a definite voice in the policy to be carried out by the council. Dr. Marsden observed that in his own mind he was absolutely confident that this movement was in the right direction. It was not something that was being sprung on the country. They had worked towards it slowly. In some New Zealand industries research was going on from which very valuable results might be expected as time went on. What was the position of the»wool industry? Enthusiastic and capable action within its own organisation was needed to build up and strengthen an industry. The Research Council was prepared to help those industries that would help themselves, that would put their money with that provided by the council. Dr. Marsden described in some detail the valuable results that had been obtained by research into the economical feeding of pigs and the determination of the milling value of wheat. In the wool industry there were both immediate and long-range problems. Dr. Marsden went on to describe some of the wool research work done in and on behalf of New Zealand. Was it surprising if the possibilities of Imperial co-operation were regarded rather coldly in the Old Country? It was the job of the producing industry and not of the manufacturer to carry out necessary research. It was just as easy for the manufacturer to turn over so many looms to synthetic materials. In every industry in the world, the responsibility was being thrown back on the producer of producing a standardised article that might be purchased by the manufacturer in competition with others. Sooner or later, that must happen to wool. As he had said, they had been thinking for years of getting a scheme of this ; kind going. The 3d levy Avould not I cover the necessary outlay.' It would only provide £4OOO a year. Nevertheless, if the Meat Board would help, they could get somewhere with the levy. We had something to learn from Denmark in making the results of scientific research available to farmers. He

would like to see wool centres established in connection with the wool improvement scheme —centres at which, discussion could be carried on each month in the presence of the instructors to be appointed. Sir William Perry said that no doubt they would all agree with him that there was a lot of room for improvement in their crossbred wool. There was a marvellous difference between clips and a great difference in price at the sales between one lot of wool and another. He believed that by proper .action this margin could be bridged to a large extent. He had spent practically a life time amongst wool and it was plain to him that it was quite possible to*' raise the general standard. Some 400,000 bales of Bomney wool were produced annually in New Zealand. If that were raised in price by 2d per lb. it meant a million of money. It was quite possible to secure this measure of improvement. ! It had been proved that it was pos- ' sible by selection to eliminate the ( hairy fibres which lowered the value of wool. There was room for a great deal of research and investigation, and education of the farmer in producing the best type of wool. The voluntary certification of stock would serve very well. As in the case of rye grass, the man who did not get his stock certified eventually would find no one to buy it. It had been stated publicly

that the Meat Board had never taken any interest in wool improvement. That statement was far from being correct. The board had discussed the question at several meetings and had sought a ruling from the Audit Department as to whether it could spend money in that direction. The ruling was that as the Act stood this could not be done. More recently, the baord had discussed the certification of sires. It was considered that it would be well worth while to get the Act amended to provide funds needed to get. this work going. The various breed societies were communicated with and not all had yet replied. Meantime, the Palmerston North scheme was launched and it was decided to withhold the Meat Board proposals from publicity meantime lest it should be supposed that an attempt was being made to kill the Palmerston ■North scheme. Personally, he did not greatly care whether the scheme was financed partly by levy or wholly by 'the Meat Board. He pointed out that ! pig recording had been subsidised by the Meat Bard. If the board took over the wool improvement scheme, it would take steps to set up an outside expert committee, probably reserving the right to appoint one member of the committee in order to maintain contact with it. A subsidy from the Meat Board would be needed in any case and legislation would be needed to authorise this just as if the board were wholly to finance the scheme. The Meat Board levy was only |d a carcase. Mr Duncan McGregor said that after all they had heard that afternoon, he did not think there was a man in the room who was not in favour of something being done. It came down to a question of whether the committee proposed was to be set up or the enter--prise left to the Meat Bard. The South Island was at present officially [ out of the scheme. That would make it unfair for the Meat Board to finance it. He moved:—"That to finance a sheep and wool improvement scheme the Government be asked to pass legislation enabling the imposition of a levy of not more than 3d per bale on all wool grown in the North Island, or in the Dominion if the South Island wishes to come into the scheme. Further, that the Government be asked topass an empowering clause to the Meat Board Act giving the board discretionary power to subsidise any such levy to an extent that may be rendered necessary by circumstances and that the total sum accruing be administered by a committee set up by the sheep farmers. ’ ’ Mr W. B. Martin seconded the motion. Mr W. F. McLaren moved as an amendment: "That this meeting of sheep farmers is in favour of the Meat Board using some of its funds for the purpose of sheep and wool improvement and suggests that the work be carried out by a committee of sheep farmers arranged by the Meat , Board. ” Mr A. Ross seconded the atnendment. Mr Gordon Lee stated that he condemned every board and considered that this scheme was only going to provide jobs for some broken-down farmers.

Mr F. W. Parry: "Was Air Hewitt in favour of the faking?" Mr Hewitt: "Absolutely no! lam dead against it." Mr Parry; "Would you support its suppression by Act of Parliaihent?"

Mr Hewitt: '"Yes." Mr J. AI. James said he was definitely of opinion that something should be done, but was a little'uncertain as to whether the Meat Board or the proposed special committee should under-

take the work. Sir W. Perry observed that 'practically the same men would carry out this scheme in any case. At, Mr Q. Donald’s suggestion, both motion and amendment were postponed until a motion had been-, put to the meeting affirming simply that something should be done in connection with the improvement of wool. This was seconded by Mr W. B. Martin and carried unanimously. Mr McGregor contended that the fairest way to finance the scheme was by the levy with a subsidy from the Meat Board. Mr Hewitt said that if the Meat Board were asked to undertake the scheme they had to take the risk of the wrecking u the whole dashed thing.” Australia was striving tooth and nail to improve her fat lamb production. Much the same was true of the Argentine. They had to get ready to face intensified competition, and time was the essence- of the contract. In hand-

ling freights, would not the propose® committee work, with the Meat Boar® and the Dairy Board; too? •* i They would have to go through theil same perfofmance in getting a subsidy from the Meat Board, Sir W. Perry rey marked, as in getting it to finance - the] whole scheme. The board could, notj make a grant to the North Island with* out making a .corresponding grant to the South Island. There was no doubt that the South Island would come into the scheme. Some of the sheep-owners opposed it, but not the bulk of the. farmers. ,

Mr Hugh Morrison urged strongly that they should set up the proposed special committee. It was in crossbred wool that they wanted development. He favoured specialisation and the levy was the better way. , <;■ On being put to the meeting, the amendment, providing for control by the Meat Board, was defeated by 24 votes to 15. The original motion, providing for a special committee and aj. levy, was then carried without dissent.