FARMERS' INTERESTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 2

FARMERS' INTERESTS.

$ THE CONFERENCE. DISEASES OF LIVE STOCK. VIEWS OF CHIEF VETERINARIAN. TAXATION GRIEVANCES. The Dominion Conference of tho NewZealand Farmers' Union was resumed yesterday morning at its headquarters, Jlr. .T. G. Wilson presiding. Mr. E. Clifton (Director of Experiment Farms) and Mr. C. J. Rcakes (Chief Veterinarian), were present when tho sitting began, and the conference accordingly ] decided to proceed at once to the agricultural and pastoral section of its remits. In addition to the delegates present on the preceding day, Messrs. Cartwright Brown (Hawke's Bay), and D'Arey Chaytor (Marlborough), were present. Apologies for absence were read from Colonel Bell (Wailcato) and Mr. G. W. Leadley (Ashburton). GRAIN STATISTICS. THE DEPARTMENTAL VIEW. Mr. t\ O. Horrell (North Canterbury) moved:—"That the Government bo asked to collect grain statistics by post, each farmer being supplied with a form on which he shall return: (1) The acreage in grain craps, and other produce, on his holdings; (2) his estimate of the probable yield per acre; (3) the quantity of grain and other produce, on hand from previous year. Such return to be made up in the third week in December, and returned to the officer appointed. Farmers to lie liable to a penalty for noncompliance." Sir. .T. Talbot (South Canterbury) seconded tho motion. /The ensuing -discussion revealed strong differences of opinion as to the usefulness of such statistics and the reliability of those hitherto collected. Similar differences in regard to tho sheep statistics were also effdenced. .Mr. Clifton said .tho question of how to obtain reasonably accurate- statistics luul given the Department much thought. •Perfect accuracy was unattainable. They bad cost tho country between .£4OOO anil £5000 a year in the past. A less expensive system had been tried last year. Actual returns were not asked tor, but fanners were askwl in December to send in estimates. Hud the season not disappointed all expectations, the returns would probably Lave been found reasonably accurate. In regard to getting the statistics by post, as now asked for, experience in another connection indicated that a similar system had not proved satisfactory in the past. Legislation would probably lie necessary to make tho lilling-in and sending-back of tho returns compulsory, and there was a feeling, against new compulsory legislation? Moreover, the returns would have to bo much simplified. In regard to threshing--1 machine returns, the difficulty was to associate those returns with the acreage. . Tha estimate could not be sought much later than December, as was done last season. Every consideration would bo given to the views of the conference. The president said he would not Hko It I to go forth that the farmers did not value the statistics.' They were the best insurance they had for getting the full price for their produce. There was necessarily a margin of error, but even inaccurate return was better than none, if they knew how to discount it. He did not agree that the errors of tho last estimates of the Department were duo enn tirely to tho unexpected developments of the season, lie himself obtained eftti- | mates from half a dozen people in diifer- ( ent parts of.the Dominion, and when ho compiled them the result canio out pretty near tho figures to which tlfd Department I afterwards had to reduce its estimate. | lie could mention an erroneous estimate of tho oat crop which appeared in. a | widely-circulated paper, and which, he esk timated, caused a loss of £100,000 to the country. The following clause from a Southland remit was added to,the motion: "And, in I addition, regulations should bo niado ; whereby it should bo compulsory on all | owners of threshing machines to" furnish j monthly returns of all grain threshed." i Tho motion was carried with the above • addition. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS ACT. MERITS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURE. Mr. A. Schmitt (Auckland), in moving "that the Agricultural Implements Importation and Sales Act be repealed," said that the importers of implements were making considerable profits out of the farmers and tho money was going directly Home. The president said tho Act was introduced by tho late Mr. Seddan as a means of saving tho agricultural implement industry of New Zealand from the destruction which was said to be threatening it at the hands of foreign competitors. Under the. Act no imported implements could be sokl for less than the list price of the New Zealand manufacturers. It was a fact that this measure had enabled the New Zealand manufacturers to put up their prices against the farmer, but whether tlie prices were immoderately high, he could not say. He did not know how much of the increase in price was due to tho labour laws and how much to combination among manufacturers, but the prices appeared to be about 20 per cent, higher than they were formerly. Wages had certainly gone up, and according to Mr. Booth, less work was done for the wnges. The Act had not been beneficial to the farmers. Major Lusk (To Kuiti) said farmers were supposed to be benefited by agricultural implements being put 'in the free-list some years ago, yet farmers were now paying 20 per ceiit. more for implements than before they were on the free-list. If tho natural laws of supply and demand were left to operate freely, the prices would bo 110 per cent, lower than at present. ; Several delegates testified to the high quality of the New Zealand-made implements. Mr. Carhvrlght Brown (Hawke's Bay) said that there- was no need for any man to buy a machine that he thought was too dear, as he could import one from Home for himself. Mr. F. G. Horrell, who, with other Canterbury delegates, opposed tho motion, said that if the local-manufacturers wiiru driven out of business, tlie farmers would be exploited by the American manufacturers. Mr. E. Lane (Hawke's Bay) opposed the motion, and uphold tho claims of local manufacturers in the interests of tho country as a whole. The mover, in reply, said that the opponents of the motion were virtually abandoning plank 5 of the union's platform. The motion was carried. TUBERCULOSIS. PASTEURISATION RECOMMENDED. The following remit was moved on behalf of Taranalci:—"That this conference strongly recommends all dairy companies lo instill pasteurising plants for the purpose of stamping • out disease among cattle and pigs." Thi' president said it was not yet quite fully proved that the pasteurising plants' would ensure tho desired result. He was confident that, once that was proved, all the dairy factories would inslal the. plant. The trouble was with the farmers, not tho factories. Mr. Reakes (Government Chief Veterinarian) said he was cordially in favour of the motion. Tuberculosis in cattle and pigs was on the increase, and it was found that the disease in pigs was associated with its occurrence in cattle. I'igs were fed largely on the by-products of (he dairy_ factories, and the seat of the disease in the nig was such as to show that it had como in with the food. If pigs got it in that way, so would Hie calves. It was, therefore, necessary to render the factory by-pro-ducts inocuous, and that could be' done by pasteurisation properly carried out. It was not to be inferred that a large number of oowa wero giving tubercular milk. All that was implied, was tiiat

somo of_ the milk thus affected was being mixed with that of oilier cows at i tho factories. Pasteurisation of by-pro- ', ducts of dairy factories had been com- : pulsory in Denmark for somo years. In New Zealand pasteurisation had been ' tried in a few instances, but the Department had not yet been able to carry a trial through a whole season. The Dairy Union had installed a very simple plant in some of their establishments near Palmerston, but it did not ensure : the milk being kept up lo the necessary , temperature- of 170 deg. Fahr. . A more successful plant had boon used at Tan- . janga. Tho tuberculosis trouble had to be tackled. It was causing great loss to tho country, though New Zealand was not so badly stricken with the disease as some older countries. It must be got under control whilo it was possible to do so. The motion was carried. STOCK INSPECTION. Taranaki submitted tho following:— "That this conference strongly urges the Minister to have thoroughly qualified veterinary surgeons appointed as stock inspectors; a reasonable fen to Ixj charged owners of stock attended when tho veterinarian's services are professionally called in," .Mr. C. .T. Keakes (Chief Government Veterinarian) said the Department could not do more with tho veterinary surgeons on its staff at present, but three moro were on their way out to New Zealand. Many of the slock inspectors had a good deal of the'requisite knowledge to act in these matters, and could obtain the advice of the veterinarians. He did not thiuk it would bo practicable for Government veterinary surgeons to bo regularly available for being called in by farmers. He hoped to be able to expand the operations of the Slock Division, particularly in the direction of assisting farmers in the prevention of disease. The motion was carried. UNSOUND BULLS. Mr. J. W. Jones (Taranaki) moved:"That the New Zealand Farmers' Union, take steps lo prevent the sale of unsound bulls." The mover said that the man who put up such an animal for sale without saying anything about it was not worthy to be a farmer, unless he did it in ignorance of the defect. Yet the thing was frequently done. Mr. .1. Lane (Hawko's Bay) moved\ as an amendment: "That the New Zealand Farmers' Union recommend that steps be taken for tho prevention of the sale of bulls for stud purposes which , are known lo be unsound or useless for such purposes." Mr. Keakes pointed out several difficulties in the way of giving effect to the motion. The trouble of transmission of the microbe of contagious sterility by a bull could be largely got over if buyers would use precautions, which he detailed. The amendment was carried. DAIRY HERDS. Mr. 3. 'W. Jones moved, and Mr. 15. Maxwell seconded, the following Taranaki remit:—"That this conference regrets that a more regular and systematic inspection of dairy herds is not carried out at present." Mr. .Keakes said tho present system did not go far enough, but the matter was receiving very careful consideration, and an udvanco was to ho made. He hoped the farmers would co-operaie, and that individuals would lie prepared to suffer for the benefit of the community. The motion was carried. INSPECTION OF STALLIONS. Mr. W. J. Birch (Marton) moved: "That this conference- urge that tjio system of inspection of stallions, as outlined by Mr. C. J. Keakes (Chief Veterinarian) be favourably considered by Government." Mr. Keakes described the scheme (which was discussed and approved at the recent provincial conference of tho union at Marton). He would not propose to bring the scheme suddenly into complete operation, hut In Llio course ol n lew yturs all stallions should have been inspected and registered, so as to insure tho breeding of good and healthy stock. Discussion turned largely upon tho question whether the conformation uf horses should be considered in the matter (as proposed by Mr. Keakes). A vote which was taken showed that the feeling of the conference was against the Chief Veterinarian's view on this point, and ho intimated that ho was prepared to withdraw that portion of flic scheme. Tho motion was carried. LETTER FROM SLAUGHTERMEN. The New Zealand Slaughtermen's Federation wrote stating that it had received from certain freezing companies a request that more care be taken lo turn out carcasses in the best possible condition, as complaints on the matter had been received from London. The Federation was of opinion that the trouble was partly due to the -state in which the sheep reached tho works. Special reference was made to the crutching of sheep shortly before sending them to the works. Mr. M. J. Reardon (secretary to the federation) attended in support of the letter. Several speakers welcomed the letter, and insisted on the desirability of farmers sending sheep to the freezing works in as clean a state as possible. It was resolved to {hank tho federation for its suggestion, and to circularise members of the union in pursuance thereof. Mr. Keakes, on withdrawing from the conieronce, was warmly thanked for his assistance. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Taianaki submitted the following:— "That it is imperative that noxious weeds be cut earlier in the season than at present, and that this conference strongly urges upon the Government tho necessity ol having the Act more stringently enforced in thoso districts where the local authority demands it." In tho course of discussion, tho president expressed the opinion that a toostringent application of the Act would cause much hardship in-some districts Iho motion was carrieTl. An Ohigo remit-'That tho Noxious Weeds Act, as far as inspectors' powers aro concerned, be altered to the tame as the Rabbit Act"—was withdrawn as the Minister for Agriculture had already expressed his intention of amending' tho law as indicated. Mr. E. Clifton (Director of Fields and Experiment Farms) said the recommendations of the conference would be of value in connection with measures now under consideration for submission to Parliament. On withdrawing, Mr. Clifton was cordially thanked for his attendance. LAND TAXATION. The interrupted discussion on the following Taranaki remit (moved by Mr. E. Maxwell) was resumed:—"That-as the present system of valuing laud for taxation purposes has proved a complete failure, owing to the impossibility of accurately separating the improved from the unimproved value, this conference considers a much fairer and much simpler way would be to tax on the annual value, at the same rate and with the same exemptions as capital invested in other industries, the annual value to be five per cent, of tho capital value." The president suggested that the. question should he. postponed for consideration by the branches. Mr. H. Evans (Canterbury), in sup-, porting this view, strongly condemned the policy of the Government in regard to taxing the land. It was contended that the industries in the towns must not be taxed, bat why should not agriculture also he recognised as an industry? If the younger farmers were going to sit down and let the townspeople tax them, while the latter did not tax themselves, then the rising generation had not the grit they ought to have. The motion was referred to the branches, the Taranaki executive to draw up a circular on the subject. VALUATIONS. Mr. 6. F. Clothier (North Canterbury, moved, and Mr. H. J. Middlcton (Southland) seconded, a motion which, with amendments, was adopted in the following form:—"That this conference objecls to the present method nf the Government in valuing land, inasmuch as some of the valuators do not go on the. land to inquire and see for themselves the improvements, and stale of the different' properties, and that a valuer should be appointed by tho local authority to work in conjunction with Government valuers; and that valuations of tho lands of the Dominion should be mado periodically not less than four years between auch jjerioda."

Iho following Auckland remit was carried:—"That all loan moneys spent by local bodies, and money spent bV companies be credited by tho Government valuer to improvements, instead of to unimproved values as at present'" TOWN AND COUNTRY LANDS. Mr. E. Lane (Hawko's Bay) moved.— "That in the opinion of this conference farmers of the Dominion have created the increment in tho unimproved value of city and suburban land, and should be exempt from the fresh taxatiou which the Prime Minister has proposed for tho furtherance of artificial industrial conditions." The mover said that the Prime Minister proposed, according to his Winton speech, that the increment tax should not be imposed ,upon city lands. Meanwhile the Government desired to take tho increment of tho land of tho poorest settlers. Under tho Land Bill, when a Crown tenant desired to acquire the freehold, ho would have to surrender half of tho increment. He moved tho remit as a protest against tho legislation proposed this session. Somo of the speakers who followed traversed Air. Lane's opinion that increment of city lands was altogether created by the farmers. Thus, Mr, Hockly suggested that the steamship companies had something to do with it, and Mr. Birch pointed out that if there was not a large population in England to consume our I products tho position would be very different. Finally, the motion was withdrawn in favour of the following, which was carTied:— "That this conference protests against the proposal to remit taxation on city lands, while taxation on country lands is retained." REVENUE TARIFF. TIMBER AND OTHER INDUSTRIES. Mr. B. Schmitt (Auckland) moved; "That the fifth plank of the New Zea? laud Farmers' Union platform be made, effective." The. plank referred to is as follows:—' "That taxation througli the Customs should bo for the purposo of raising revenue, and not-for protective purposes." Mr. W. J. Birch (Marton), in seconding tho motion, said that the only industries that paid in this country were those connected with tho land and mining. The others' were parasites upon the productive industries, kept alive by protective duties. Mr. E. Maxwell (Taranaki), in supporting the motion, agreed that if the tariff was to bo framed moro . and" more for protective purposes, tho Government would bo likely to draw more and mora revenue from tho land. Mr. E. Lane (Hawke's Bay) opposed the motion. Ho suggested that the iarmers should establish manufactures on co-operativo lines. "I'm not arguing for State Socialism," he declared; "I'm arguing for farmers' Socialism." The motion was also opposed bv Mr. 0. F. Clothier—who said that Canterbury farmers needed the present duty to keep out Australian wheat—and Mr. ,1. Talbot—who said that to carry out Plank No. 5 would dislocate the wholo social fabric, which was built up on pieteclion. Major Lusk, while admitting the force of tho last argument, urged that tho tendency to protect small- industries that would never be able to stand alone required to be stopped. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rangitikoi) referred to tho posithn of the timber itumslry. It was one of the most important industries of the country. A great deal of capital was invested in it, and many, many men, women, and children depended on it for a living. This industry had been subjected to very unfair competition from Oregon pine, which was landed at cheap rates, owing largely to the cheap black and alien labour etu- . ployed in procuring it, and also to the ; fact that the Government had subsidised the ; Alley line of steamers. Though himself a ; Free-trader, he thought it-would be very • wrong to stand by and allow thb timber- . industry to be crippled and the livelihood of men, women, and children to be ■ taken away for the sake of maintaining the principles of Free-trade. The lata I crisis in the industry had passed, but if the conditions of last winter returned, ■ those concerned might fairly go to the i Government for help. Of course, the ' consumer had to be' considered, and ho thought the suggestion made by the sawmillers was a fair one—namely) that they should show their books 'to the Government, and the matter should ba adjusted accordingly. , After further discussion, the motion was carried, with the following addition suggested by the president:—-"By protesting against and resisting any further duties being imposed for protective purposes." MISCELLANEOUS. The following remits were adopted:— "That where the officer lives on tho premises, the office can be demanded to bo opened for telegraph and telephone business during the dinner-hour, and that telegrams be treated as letters in the matter of delivery." "That where possible settlers shou'd get the benefit of rural delivery; ant that the price of private bags be ra. duced when delivered" only twice a week." TRUCKING STOCK. The following remits were carried:— "That this conference urge upon the Government tho necessity for providing more sheep trucks, and also protests against the use of *L.A." trucks for tho transport of sheep over long distances, and urges that the trucks should be battened." "That the Government be urged to give better facilities for trucking fat stock during the months of December, January, February, ■uul March." The day's sittings totalled nearly nine hours, and the conference at 9.50 p.m. adjourned until this morning. Portions of the proceedings are reported elsewhere.