ESTIMATES OF GRAIN YIELDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 768, 17 March 1910, Page 9

ESTIMATES OF GRAIN YIELDS.

—_ LETTER BY THE MINISTER.(By Telegraph,—Preßß Association.] - . Cliristchurchj March 16. ■ At to-ddy's meeting'-pf the North Canterbuvy executive of Union, the how systatu of. estimating the grain yields , was briefly discussed.' The Hon; T.. Mackenzie wroto .as follows regarding the executive's, letter on the subjeot o£ agricultural and pastoral statistics"l have' tlie honour to inform you that this m&ttar was very care'fully considered before the system of .estimated yields, adopted during the present season, had been decided upon. . In looking into the matter, due .weight was given to the many .representations of the Farmers' Union and other bodies, to the effect that the Byßtem, _ previously followed, was giving unsatisfactory results. The experience of the old system had also to be borne in mind. After consulting the responsible officers of the. Department, I came to the conclusion that the method-of obtaining estimates from a numbor of reliable and intelligent farmers, grain merohants, etc., could hot only effect • a saving of nearly' <£4AOO per annum, but would give 'more reliable than those previously ' obtained,' The system referred to 'was therefore adopted, and, with due respect to the opinion of your executive, I may Say has given satisfaction-to-most persons interested in the subject. I may add that, from a publication just to hand, I find that the Government statistician of Tasmania has, for this season, adopted' what appears to bo exactly the same systeta as that used in the Dominion."

Kcference was made to the pfevious resolutions arrived at by the executive on tho subjcot, which, when" they were read, provod to bo contradictoryrtno first having been passed at a meeting attended 'by several members, who were not present. When the second was passed the opinion was expressed that the executive must appear in an unfavourable light to tho Minister to whom the resolutions wfere • forwarded. It was decided to receive tho Minister's latter. '

Tho'. Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Bailways, telegraphed: Regarding:' .tlie question of the excess< Tveichts 1 -carried in grain sacks, to the effect that publicity hail been' given to the decision arrived at in the matter. After discussion it was decided—"That the Minister be thahlied for his telegram, and be informed that the executive considers that'a'system of imposing a penalty at per truck would be eminently unsatisfactory, and suggests that the penalty (if any) should bo on tonnage rate" - •,