FARMING PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1258, 13 October 1911, Page 8

FARMING PROGRESS.

THE MINISTER'S ANNUAL^REPORT. Tho annual report, of the. Department of Agriculture, which was presented to Parliament yesterday, consists mainly of a survey of the position of tho agricultural and allied industries during the past fiuancial year. Tho -'"progressive- policy'' spoken of by tho Minister is not revealed. He states that solid advancement is being made in all branches of agricultural activity, the increasing output from tho farms of tho Dominion indicating that improved methods are being adopted and that settlers on new country, are rapidly making productive the virgin land?. On tho subject of tho meat trade the Minister remarks that in the early months of this year prices receded, the reason being disinclination to sell at ruling rates, and consequent accumulation of stocks. Some holder's of New Zealand meat apparently could not immediately clear at a profit, and stored in anticipation of an improved demand—a doubtful policy, especially with perishablo produce. Tho Argentine people,'educated on American prineiples, allowed their.meat to pass automatically into consumption, irrespective of ruling market values, a policy which enabled them not only to retain their ■ connection, - but to extend it to channels where our stored meat formerly had a connection—palpably a good thing for the Argentine shipper, and a bad one for tho New Zealand producer. Increasing- competition among freezing concerns in certain sections of tho country, he adds, has led to prices practically above a parity of London values being paid, and has, in consequence, curtailed the operations of tho c.i.f. buyer. -, Humours, he adds, havo been freely circulated -of late 1 to the effect that the American ■ Meat "Trust has been inalcmg inquiries in New Zealand with the object -of extending its operations to this country. A close watch is being kept for any signs of the trust endeavouring to-obtain a foothold here. . '. On the subject of sheep, the Minister remarks that, with the increased attention being paid to long-wool sheep -id .Australia, the exportation of stud sheep from New Zealand must increase both in volume and value. The Hock book socie-ties,-he adds, have not as vet instituted anv system of inspection of sheep when exported as representative of. the pure breeds, and in view o.f developing trade with Australia, the'necessity of the inspection of stud sheen-becomes very Treat, as.the.'trade must suffer,.and good breeders bo handicapned, if inferior sheen arc sold-to -Australian farmers as being typic.i.l of the . .pedigree, stock of this cbufltry.;. , ; : ."