FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18216, 29 October 1924, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

OXFORD BRANCH. At tho monthly meeting of tho Oxford Branch of tho New- Zealand Farmers' Union, Mr K. G. Wells «u in tho chair, and thero w«s a gooU attendance of members. Tho IVjtmaster-Goucral wrote in rep'y to the request for direct telephono connexion between Oxford and Sheffield that, he would bo pleased to have the matter fully gone into, and would givo tho request every consideration. A letter was received froui the District Traffic Manager, staling that arrangements had beeu made whereby particulars of consignments to Viewhill and Bexiey would bo taken by tho stationmasicr at East Oxford. It was decided to protest to the Minister of Agriculture against the freo admission of fowl wheat during the months November to February. A discussion took place in regard to the disparity between tho estimated price Per 1001b and tho actual, as reported in connexion with the sale of fat cattle. Fat cattle, said to havo fetched. 45* P^r 10010, have actually fetched less than 40s. same obtains in regard to f»t pigs. The weights as estimated by different persons vary considerably. It was thought that the time had romo when guessing should cease, and weighing scales should be secured for taiimr the live weights ol both lat cattle and fat pigs, and it was decided to recommend the executive to move in this matter. * It was also decided to ask tho executive to "urge the City Council to provide adequate cool storage at the auattoir. Two new members were elected. Totes of sympathy were passed to Mr F. J. Meyer, in his i'lness. and Ml" A. Wright in the death of his wife. By invitation, Mr Munro, stock inspector, attended lo discuss the question "f liccinfected sheen." He said there were many causes of the trouble, and seme reasons were worse than others. Sheep were not dinped. or improperly dinped, or were infected hy eontaeion. Snmo sheep were probably "carriers,"' and shcu'd be locked out for. Dips should be not onh" prooerly constructed but properly tent, as free from foul matter as possib'o. and maintained in a condition of effectiveness. The sheep should be clean and dry, and if possible emnty when dinped. Dip materials should be used aeoordincr to the definite instructions of the manufacturers. In re.ee.rd to the time of dipping, he quoted the Act, which s;i-v.s the sheep "shall he dipped between February Ist and April 30th." Farmers must do this, but they could dip as often as they chose. If sheep were infected with lice, they should have a second dipping within two or three weeks of the firsj. A number of Questions were asked, and a general discussion followed. It was suggested that the Act allow sheep to be cvioped up to May 31st; that sheep be dipped again in August; that, a loin with 1000 sheep or more should huvo a. dip of his own, £o that he could dip at any time he chose, and make sure that his "stragglers" were dipped; that dipping should ba done as early as possible after shearing: that the "dip" at the Addington salnvards was not satisfactory; that a little "fluid dip" sometimes improved tho "powder dip," but the dip must not be weakened thereby; that a pint cf Kerol with every mixing was a benefit. Mr Munro was heartily thanked for his address.