"GO CANNY."

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 3

"GO CANNY."

ADVICE TO FARMERS. PASTORALIST'S SERIOUS POSITION. That the present winter will have t.o be unusually mild, if farmers are to avoid heavy slock losses, was the opinion expressed by the president (Mr \V. Perry) at the annual conference of the Royal Agricultural Society at Wellington. Mr .Perry said that last year he was in the fortunate position of congratulating the primary producers of the Dominion on the splendid year experienced. This year, however, he was sorry to state that many of the farmers had had a bad season. Two factors were mainly instrumental in causing this, namely, a decrease in price, compared with last year, for their output, and an abnormal season in some districts causing a reduction in production. Unfortunately, the world was still suffering from the aflermath of the war, from weak finance in Kurope, and from strike conditions in England. He would issue a warning to the people of New Zealand to go "canny." Continuing, Mr Perry said that the position of many farmers in the Poverty Bay and Ilawkc's Bay distriels was serious, owing to the prolonged spell of dry weather, which had caused the countryside there to become as bare as the proverbial board. In these districts green and growing grass had for months been practically non-existent. Many fanners in those districts had been compelled to kill their older ewes for their skins, as buyers of such were not operating. Many cattle, young and old, bad been converted into boneless beef, owing to the scarcity of feed, whilst for the same reason many sheep had been sold for transportation to other provinces. He was sorry to slate that many pasloralisls in the dry area, who were just recovering after the cruel siump of 1921-22, were now almost back lo their serious position of five years ago. However, the dry area was' one that could quickly change ils aspect, and now (hat a liltlo rain had fallen it was hoped (hat Ihings would improve. With slock in low condition, t..e present winter would have lo be unusually mild to bring them ' through without | heavy losses.

Dast lambing season, continued Mr Perry, was remarkable in so fur as "bearing" trouble was nonccrnod, for it was hardly in evidence at all, due probably to the severe winter and spring keeping down the condition of breeding eyes. The lambing in the North Island last year was slightly better than the preceding one, the percentage of lambs being 85.6-i, as against So, but in the South Island there was a marked decrease, viz. from ST.B7 per cent, to 78.61. The Dominion lambing average last season was 82. i 3 per cent, from 13J million breeding ewes, or a total of 11,305,55 S lambs. Incentives To Production. There were still big incentives held out by the Motherland to the producers of the Dominion for an increased production. The main characteristic of the wool market during the past season was its stability, and in conse(|ucn buyers whose confidence in the trade had gradually strengthened showed keenness to buy right through the season. Prices for the best wools bad been satisfactory, hut unfortunately there was a large portion of broken and wasty wool caused by the long wet winter and the backward spring. At the various saies throughout the season there were no marked variations, and the season finished up with a total of 471,583 bales being sold at an average price of 11.03 d., or £l7 Is Sd per bale. Last year the number of bales sold was .140,309 at an average price of 19.95 d., per lb., or an average of £29 5s per bale. There was a decrease of Bu. per lb. all round, which to the sheepfarmers of the Dominion represented a shrinkage of about £0,000,000. I

Bradford's best opinion to-day was that both merino and crossbred wool was costing enough to be in line with safety and to encourage business. Nothings suited Bradford bettor than reasonably priced wool, because then the looms were running full time. The manufacturers there did not want any more wild, frantic markets, to be followed by another serious decline. During the year, which ended on March 31, COO,GOO bales of wool, valued at £13,28-1,232, were exported. An effort had been made during the past year to educate farmers regarding the principles of growing a higher class of wool. This had been much appreciated and was worthy of much extension.

"Our friends of the Farmers' Union have passed a resolution in some districts favouring a Wool Control Board being set up," added Mr Perry. "It would be interesting to know what the functions of this board would be other than what the present committee is doing, excepting perhaps an endeavour to get lower freights. Willi the sales at our doors attended by buyers from all over the world, there is but little room for complaints. Every farmer can sec his wool opened up and can compare it with his neighbour's clip, as well as discuss values with his broker. My advice to sheep-farmers is to grow a first-class wool, and the world's competition will ensure a full market value for the article."