THE FARM INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 52, 25 November 1907, Page 2

THE FARM INDUSTRY.

FROZEN MGAT TRADE. THE PROPOSED CONFERENCES. UNDERLYING, MOTIVES. There has lately been put forward a proposal that representatives of the firms interested in the export of frozen meat should meet annually in conference. A preliminary talk took place on the subject at the last Manawatu Show, and a certain vague fear arose in the minds of the general public that something in the naturo of a beef trust was being attempted. That, however, is not tbo direction in which the main reasons for the conference tend. The fundamental motive, of- those who are at the back of the movement, may be summed up in the one word—economy. The beef exporters in the past have not been characterised by 'any great amount_ of common cohesion; and meney-saving devices in vogue at one establishment have consequently been at times quite unknown at the others. It is desirable from all points, of view that knowledge on these important minor rhattors shall be possessed at all the establishments. Each of the great establishments, no doubt, has one or more improvements that it could confido to the. others if a proper medium for doing so were provided. In some establishments a great saving of time is effected by tho use ot water carriage in the transfer of skins from one shed to another. The idoa is somewhat similar to that in voguo at the American beet-sugar works of Mr. Spreckels —for Mr. Spreckels is as well-known in the sugar world as in the shipping. A stream of water runs' along a large trough into which tho beets are tumbled. By the forco of the water they are hurried along to the pressing shed, getting a thorough washing as they roll over and over on the journey. In some of the meat freezing works a stream of water carries the skins away from the slaughtersheds to another department, washing them en route. . Then there are matters to be talked over concerning the tinned moat business. Big contracts aro at times offered' by the British War Office for the supply of tinned beef,' but hitherto no single New Zealand firm has had sufficient turnover of this class of focd to he able to tender. A combined tender, it is believed by some, would be feasible, and would cover a sufficiently largo output. Now that the world is beginning to forget tho horrors of tho Chicago tinned'meat scandal, the tinning of meat is being resumed in greater volume, and attention to this branch will increase. The ruling high prices of New Zealand cattle for local food, which have for somo years past interfered with the export trado, also' need proper review. Prices that aro impossible unoVr present methods may be made possible by additional economics. Incidentally increased export would necessarily canso dearness of beef in tho local markot. But that dearness is already considered inevitable through the languishing of cattle-raising among tlie farmers. If any development of the export trade should cause a revival of cattle raisinp; that fact might in the end avert the beef famine that seems now to threaten us.

Tlio decision of the Hon. 11. M'Nab to seek from the various freezing firms information as to the effect which various temperatures and durations of freezing have upon tho digestibility 'and other qualities of meat seems to invite joint action on the part of the companies. The information desired, for submission to the freezing congress to be held in Paris ne::t year, is expected by specialists to provo that frozen moat is more digestiblo than moat that has not been frozen. If this hope should be realised, and the superiority of frozen meat should be heralded across the world from , the housetops of the great Paris congress, then the proposed combined action of the Now Zealand firms, will have abundantly justified itself.

, EXISTENCE JUSTIFIED. '• . ."' A WORD FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. A tribute to the value of State farms (telegraphs our Auckland correspondent) was paid at a meeting of the Agricultural. and Pastoral Association on Saturday. Mr. R. Dick, referring to a visit of members to the State farms at Ruaknra and Waerenga,' said what they had seen had.been an "eyeopener" to most of the visitors. The work being done was something that well justified tho existence of such farms, and results wero noted that he had not dreamed could be achieved on such poor lands. Anyone' in-: torested in the grassing and top-dressing of poor lands would do well to pay a visit to these farms. He was struck with the effects produced, by different kinds of manure on oat crops, such splendid returns being shown for such a small percentage of manure The Agricultural Department was really doing splendid work at tho Stato farms. Mr. G. J. Garland remarked that he had been greatly surprised and pleased to note the developments in the cultivation of the vines and tho stone fruits. The results in tho grassing experiments were wonderful, and showed what top-dressing would do on poor country. Tho President (Mr. John Massey) said ho went on purposo to see the grassing experiments, and was very .agreeably surprised to find that land which ordinarily would not grow a blade of grass had been made to produco a splendid sward, particularly by the uso of basic slag, tho best grass being grown with lOcwt. to the acre, extending over three years. He was also agreeably surprised to find such splendid oats, and it showed what thorough and systematic and scientific cultivation would do. He would move a vote of thanks to the managers of the farms for their courtesy and hospitality, and of appreciation of the work done. This was carried with acclamation, and it was also agreed to forward a note of congratulation to' Mr. Clifton, head of the Department, on the the good work done. THE DAIRY SCHOOL. FEILDING'S CLAIMS. (FROM OUE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Fellding, Novomber 23. A specially convened meeting of theFeilding Chamber of Commerce was hold'this morning, in connection with the proposal to establish a dairy school in Foilding. Mr. Fred. Piraui (vice-president) was voted to the chair. It was unanimously resolved on tho motion of Mr. Cobbe: "That this meeting heartily thank Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, M.11.11,, for his munificent offer of fifty acres of land as a site for the proposed Government Experimental Dairy School, and records its satisfaction at tho fact that this offer removes tho only existing obstacle to the establishment of tho school in tho centre of this important district." The chairman explained that the Minister for Lands had promised Mr. Lothbridgo that ho would visit the district for the purpose of inquiring; into the suitability of Fcilding for a sito for a dairy school. Mr. J. G. Cobbo said there was no district where there were more creameries and factories in touch with a centre than in Foilding, and tho Mayor had shown him a list which be had compiled which would astonish anyono not aware, of tho details. Foilding was undoubtedly the centre of the largest dairying district in tho Dominion, and its claims for the establishment of tho school hero we're paramount. Thore was one thing about tho Minister for Lands which was satisfactory in this connection, and that was that they could be sure that whatever decision ho arrived at, it would bo upon the merits of the question, and if our claims woro stronger than any other district, tho school would be established here.

A strong committco was sot up to arrange details in. connection with the visit of this Minister for Lands. The committee is to have a map of the district, shooing the various dairy factories and creameries around Jb'oilding, prepared for tho Minister's inspection. The Feilding A. and P. Association supports the movement.

'A. PAGEEOE, THE MAN ON THE LAND,

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS' DISPUTE. INTERESTING EVIDENCE. (prom our special cobkespokdskt.) Christchurch, November 22. borne extremely interesting evidence was Sri 1 * n t e Board in tho agricultural labourers' case by Mr. T. 0 nay of Pigeon Bay, who is one of tho oldest settlors m the province, having been at ■tigeon Bay for 64 years. As ho said, his oxpenenco covered the period during which shoop had been in Canterbury. He employed 2i r i e n sh T e P h and Paid the head one i 1 , In addlt 'on, the man had two cows, a Plot of ground on which to grow vegetables, a house, and a horse; but the head shephord tound his own dogs. Witness allowed him is. worth of mutton a day, and charged 3Jd. P% 'b. for all in excess. With tho surplus mnk the head shepherd reared calves, for which witness gave him 255. when they were two months old. From four to eight were roared per annum. Men who stayed with mm made him their banker, ' and ho paid them o per cent, interest on their money. The other shepherds got £10 per annum less than the head shepherd, but wero allowed the same perquisites. His men wero , all saving money. "My last head shepherd left me a little over three years ago," said Mr. Hay, "and he saved between £500 and £fioo. There was an arrangement between us that when he saw a place on which ho thought he could make a living I was to put him into it. Ho saw such a place, and I backed him. That head shepherd was getting £90 per annum. Wages have been twice raised in the past ten years. Day labourers, to whom I used to pay 65., now get Bs. I allow my men a fortnight in the year, and they take that as arranged, and as it suits. They also get Good Friday, Eastor Monday,' Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. Any time they have business in town they got a couple of days, by mutual arrangement." Witness'went on to say that it would be impossible to observe a weekly-half-holiday on Saturdays. If he wanted to take sheep to Addington ho had to leave on Monday, so as to truck them at Little River on Tuesday. They could not be got in in half a day on Saturday, and would have to bo got in on Friday. • In the meantime the sheep would lose condition.. With regard to sheop work, it was not possible to have any limitation as to hours. In hot weather, one must start early and work late, doing nothing in tho middle of the day. Repeatedly his shepherds had chosen to start at three a.m., as they recognised they could do more in one hour in the early morning than in three, in the middle of the day. Uiir loss, under special conditions, his men worked from eight to five, with an hour, off for dinner. It would be impossible to keep a check on the men if he had to pay overtime. It was not usual to look for a job for a man who returned from doing something on another part of the farm an hour before five p.w. There' were good houses for his menkitchen, two bedrooms, and back premises fbr washing up. Shepherds, if they liked, could, in t"n to fifteen years, bo in a position to sttirl for themselves. Two fencers who had worked for him had, 1 within the last thrco years, gone on to places of their own. One shepherd, who had not a shilling (he saved money, but had given it to his parents), saw a nico place of 83 acres, and witness put him into it. This man had just sold out, and would go out with £1000. Witness hac studied tho Union's demands, and did not think they were' workable. Ho did not think it possiblo te make an award to,-apply to farming, owing to,the difficulties connected with stock and with the weather. He himself had started driving sheep at one a.m., and on other occasions had been stuck up for hours, as the sheep would not,move,., Ho could always get men if he.'wanted. )? them. Not a man that he knew on the peninsula had joined or wanted to join tho Union. His men,, could'take'a holiday if they wanted it, but they seldom did. They preferred to stay and save the money. That was partly because they wero 911 the best of terms with him. If preference for Unionists had come in it would have destroyed the friendly relations between him and.his men. In return for tho privileges he gave them the men worked well for him. He had, financed seven or eight of his men in tho last ten years, and they wero all making money. The contract systom was usual for cocksfooting on tho peninsula. A good man would not take £2 'a week in wages. In the six weeks of tho season they expected at least £30, and generally it was £40 or £50, and sometimes as much as £100. The contractors paid their men Is. (jd. an hour. Cocksfooting was an enormous industry. Ten years ago £10,000 came into Piegon Bay alone, and ho behoved that from £60,000 to £100,000 worth of seed came off the peninsula annually. Half that amount went into the men's hands, and there must be over a thousand men at work. If contracting was prohibited the cocksfoot business would be done.

• Mr. Hay was asked whether the men were in a better position at present'than if they had boon working under an award. .

"I think very much better," ho replied; "in fact, these men have been working in other placos, and saved no money until they came to me. At present, two of my men are looking for places, and as soon as they find suitable farms I am ready to finance them." _ : . ■ Mr. Hay's evidence drew from Mr. Thorn, representing tho farm labourers, the . remark: "I think if every employer was like you there would have been no Union."

PURE-BRED STOCK. Mr. Murray, of Warepa, Otago, who arrived by tho Tongariro yesterday, brought with him from England a number of stud sheep. The consignment included five Border Leicester rams and six Romney Marsh rams, and he brought, in addition, two yearling colts. The Border Leicesters were bought at the Kelso ram sale, at prices ranging from 30 to 80 guineas each. The Bomneys were from the Ashford Ram Fair, and include ono animal that ought to be a good opponent for championship honours against the famous rams of Messrs. Wheeler, Snort, and Collins, for ho has won at Homo six firsts and championships. One of the colts is also a champion. Ono of the Border Leicesters died on the voyage. PICS FOR THE BUTCHER. In recording that, out of 150 pigs auctioned at Shannon oh Friday, 100 wore sent to Wellington, our Shannon correspondent comments:—"The tendency to send livo stock to Wellington is, fortunately, becoming pretty general. It has been only too common a sight to see a truck-load of slaughtered swine, with no covering over them but a coating of dust, drawn up at a railway siding until the traffic should allow them to proceed citywards. They must bo.in a disgusting condition by the time they reach their destination."

TARANAKI NOTES. Our representative at the Hawera Show noticed that a number of farmers adopt the box thorn for fencing purposes. The fence is a riiost effective one, and does not spread liko gorse. It is well adapted for Taranaki soil. A noticeable feature is the want of attention paid to this particular class of fence, which, it systematically trimmed, would give far bettor results.

A Dominion reporter was informed at Hawora that a particular disease is prevalent this season amongst cows. The symptoms are a peeling of the udders and a blackening of the teeth. It is said to bo mainly due to indigestion in an acute form. The disease so far has not boon dangerous. A thriving industry in Hawera is the local pottery works. Specimens of the work, which reflect tho highest credit upoti the manufacturers, were on exhibition at the show. A demonstration in the manufacture was also given on tho grounds, and attracted considerable interest. Our representative was informed that tho industry is ono of no meagre importance to the farmers for a supply of drain pipos, oto.

The graders at the Patca store have their timo fully occupied this season, owing to tho large increase of produce which passes through their hands, especially in regard to , cheese, which already snows a vast increase upon that of the previous season. The butter returns will not come up to those of last season, as many factories havo discarded, butter iu favour of cheese. The increase- is also duo to another cause, as the Hawera. factory, which in previous years graded through New Plymouth, is now forwarding their consignments to Pntba. Other factories north of Hawera are expected to drop into line at an early date,-as I learn that a''considerable saving can be effected by shipping through Patea. The grading facilities hero * re as complete as anygrading store in the Dominion. If necessary, the butter cau be taken off tho truck and conveyed by a travelling platform right into tho boat. Tho demand upon shipping accommodation will, at tho end of the season, show a marked increase on that of last year. •, Our representative has been informed that Taranaki grading falls far short of last season's average. ' The Dairy Department officers are making strenuous efforts, and covering the country at break-neck gape'-'in order to effect an improvement. The main cause of the trouble is said to be dirty mills, and the factories themselves are not held blameless in the matter. . . . • "We prefer the shorthorn for both milk and beef, although the Jersey is the coming breed," said a Taranaki farmer. "I prefer to milk a Holstein-Shorthorn cross, because my cows last season averaged 225. 6d. for the month. I never >rceived below 9Jd..for butter-fat, and had I been supplying a cheese factory I should havo been rewarded with lid. Further, I don't provide my cows with covers, and I don't provide winter feed, but I don't over-stock." "Do you use a milking machine?" queried the' scribe. "I would not have ono about the place. The old stylo for mo. Let my children adopt the modern invention if they like." '

OUR DIARY. WOOL SALES. Wellington.- Deo. 6, Jan. 17, Feb. 2l< Christchurch.—Dec. 12, Jan. 8, Feb. 4. Auckland.—Nov. 27, Jan. 14, Feb. 18.' Dunedin.—Deo. 19, Jan. 23, Feb. 14 March < 5. : .-. Timaru.—Nov. 27, Jan. 3, 30, Feb. 27. Napier.—Dec. 3, Jan. 14, Feb. 19. Gifibome. —Dec. 5, Feb. 20. Invercargill.—Deo. 17, Jen. 27, Feb, lt« ■ SHOWS. Nov. 26, 27.—Nelson. Nov. 27, 28.—New Plymouth' Nov. 28, 29.—Otago.' ' ' ■ Nor. 29, '30.—Auckland. Deo. 6,'- 6.—Gore., ' Dec. 10, 11.—Sonthland. Jan. 25, 26.—Wairoa. ■ Feb. i, s.—Feilding Feb. 18,19.—Maaterton. '" ' Feb. 26.-WoodvilJe. \ . March 5, 6.—Waikato Central (Cambridge) , March 25, 26.-Horowb.emi* (Hoitjeul tural), Otaki. '' April.— Tnieri, MEETINGS. Agricultural Associations, eto. Nelson, second Saturday of each mbntk^. Wanganui, 6econd and fourth Wednesdays; Masterton, second Saturday; Wairarnpa, third Friday; Manawatu, second Tuesday.