AGRARIAN TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1140, 30 May 1911, Page 8

AGRARIAN TOPICS OF THE DAY.

SOUTH CANTERBURY FARMERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Timaru, May 27. The annual conference of tho South Canterbury Farmers' Union was begun to-day, and was largely attended. The conference discussed a proposal to affiliate with the Employers' Union, but did not approve it for fear of being, involved in complications arising over industrial awards. A proposal from the political party connected with the union was also disapproved, but it- was decided to refer certain information on the subject to branches for consideration. Several farmers expressed strong objection to tho new railway regulation regarding the delivery of goods at small stations on certain days, holding that it. causes inconvenience when goods are wanted urgently, such as bags at threshing time. Mr. John Talbot was re-elected president. At a subsequent luncheon Mr. Turner (president of the local Employers' Association) assured the farmers that "the industrials" wanted as little to do with the Arbitration Court as possible. A freezing works manager, who was present, said that those 'establishments had to work under no fewer than sixteen awards.

At tho recent show at Toowoomba, Queensland, tho Hon. J. D. Orniond was a very successful exhibitor of draught horses (says an exchange). In the brood marc class ho was awarded first and champion with his five-yoar-old mare by Iluthorglen, out of Jip, and had the additional satisfaction of beating the Queensland Government's imported four-yonr-old marc by Memento, in foal to Baron's Pride, purchased fio'm Messrs. A. and W. Montgomery, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, at, 410 guineas. Tho public endorsed tho judge's decision by an extraordinary demonstration of approval. The representative of the Oattnn College, where the Scotch mare is sheltered, requested Mr. Ormond's Queensland manager to put a price nil the champion, but it is said to be doubtful if Mr. Ormond will sell at any price. Mr. Ormond is to be congratulated on his success, which is a splendid advertisement for the heavy draught horse which is still bred in parts nf the Dominion. The Queensland champion is a full-sister to Mrs. J. D. Ormond's two-year-old rolt lioiiny Glen, exhibited at the last Metropolitan Show in Christchureli.