ON THE LAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 126, 1 May 1925, Page 3

ON THE LAND

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION. MEETING OF PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. Tho monthly meeting of the Wellington Brovincial executive of the Dominion 'airy Farmers’ Union was held yesterday afternoon, when there were present: Messrs N. Campbell (in the -'hair), J. I. Fox, O. W. Williams, J. 11. Taylor, C. I. Darkness, J. Boyce, L. B. Lorrigan, T. Wagstaff, J. 11. Fowler, W. H. Gimblett and S. E. Algar. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. D. Balmer and J. W. Teale

Messrs P. J. Small (Rata and G. Craw (Linton) wrote forwarding their resignations as members of tho union.—lt was decided to write to both gentlemen asking them to leconsider their decision. MILKING MOTOR CHARGES. Advice wa3 received from the ManawatuOroua Power Board that the question of milking motor 1 arifT would be considered at the May meeting. Mr Boyce reported that he had been one of tho deputation that had recently waited on the Power Board, ...which had favourably received ths request to lower the tariff. It was probable that the flat rate would be abolished. The chairman mentioned that ho had heard that the fiat rate would be abolished after the end of the Power Board’s year, and that farmers would ba charged per unit consumed on a somewhat similar basis to industrial concerns. Mr Algar pointed out that the Power Board in tho past had not. reduced the flat rate when approached to do so. Mr Hirkness moved that the board be written to thanking it for the sympathetic hearing given’ the members of the deputation and for promising to consider the matter. t , Tho moion was seconded by Mr Algar ana carried. The Rangiotu branch forwarded a remit as follows:—That the £5 flat rate per horse power on milking motors is an unfair rax, especially to the man with small herds. —Approved. GENERAL.

That the system of inspection of milking machine engines by a Government inspector annually be discontinued, was the text of a remit from Rangiotu branch, no action being taken, owing to the matter being governed by Act of Parliament. Another remit from Rangiotu read: That the present system of working by rabbit boards and inspectors is creating antagonistic feeling whj>re co-operation should prevail, and that all branches be circularised with the object of preventing unnecessary court proceedings as reported in the Palmerston North papers of tho 23th instant—Matt3i’ held oyer. . Mr J. McFarland, of Feilding, waited on the executive with a request that it should increase its financial assistance to the branch in his town, and that it should endeavour to place the bacon industry of the Dominion on a higher footing.—ln reply, the chairman stated that the executive had always paid the reasonable expenses of the various branches and would continue to do so. In regard to the bacon industry the union had spent over £2(X) in endeavouring to better its footing, and, although the sympathy of Mr Massey had been obtained, the farmers had not given the support expected. . . The Department of Agriculture, Wellington, wrote stating that in accordance with the executive’s request, arrangements would be made for Mr Gorringe, instructor in swine husbandry, to visit the district and address farmers. —Meeting dates were drawl up for several branches. The chairman reported that he and Mr Fox had visited two branches and hud gone to Wellington on executive matters since the last meeting. It was pleasing to note, he continued, that during the past year there had been few resignations, the members that had resigned chiefly being farmers who bad given up their land. Mr Lorrigan enquired how organisation matters were proceeding. Tho chairman explained that Mr box, owing to pressure of private business, had been unable to do any/ organisation work for some time past, bui) hoped to be able to do so shortly. The date of the provincial conference was fixed as June 11, the venue being Palmerston North, Without discussion, the following motion was carried, the mover being Mr Williams: “That the provincial conference be recommended to take every step to ensure that the ward system of election for the Dairy Control Board be substituted for the present method.” LAND IMPROVEMENTS.

In accordance with notice Mr Taylor moved: “That the man who carries out improvements on the land —irrespective of whether he has bought it or leased it should be recognised when he sells or when his lease expires.” In doing so, Air Taylor stated that tho matter was a very important one. He felt that farmers to-day were not getting a proper chance to improve their holdings, and the banks were not giving the same treatment to farmers as to the commercial community. If a man effected permanent improvements lie should get the benefit at the end of his lense. Mortgagees were getting benefits amounting to thousands of pounds from farmers owing to improvements effected by the latter during their occupancy of the land. In conclusion, tho speaker moved tliat the remit bo sent on to the provincial conference. . Mr Harkness seconded the motion, which was carried without any dissentients, Mr Taylor finally commenting that the economic life of the Dominion was dictated by the banks.

FAT CONTENT. MILK FOR CHEESE MAKING. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. At the meeting yesterday of the Wellington provincial executive of the Dairy Fanners’ Union a remit as follows was received from the Rangiotu branch of the union:—That the time has arrived for a standardised butter-fat cheese (from 3.5 to 3.8) or that tho Control Hoard state the higher butter-fat content in New Zealand cheese in its advertising campaign. The chairman (Mr N. Campbell) staled the matter of fat content in milk for cheese making was one of national importance, and in his opinion the remit should be sent on to the provincial conference of tho union next month. Mr Williams also stressed the importance of the matter, stating that it involved a very big question. Mr Guublett expressed tho opinion that milk for cheese manufacture would have to be standardised if ihe New Zeuland product was to hold its own on foreign markets. i Mr Harkness remarked that he had heard that certain factories had defied the present law and broken down milk was used -for cheese making. Following further discussion, the chairman’s suggestion was agreed to. . AUSTRALIAN WOOL SALES. MAY BE POSTPONED. Received Mav 1, 8.50 a.m. MELBOURNE. April 30. Owing to the serious slump in values it is stated that the May wool sales throughout Australia will probably be cancelled. — Press Association. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. Received May 1, 8.50 a.m. SYDNEY, April 30. Oats, Tasmanian Algerian. 3s 4cl to 3s 6d, white 4s 6d per bushel; maizei 3s lOd per bushel. Potatoes, Tasmanian, £7 to £9 per ton. Onions, Victorian, £l6, New Zealand £ls per ton. —Press Association.. ADELAIDE April 30. Oats, 2s to 2s 3d per bushel.—Press Association. RABBITSKIN SALE. SATISFACTORY PRICES. WELLINGTON, April 30. , The New Zealnnd Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report:—There was u. good attendance of buyers, both local and

Dunedin, at the first rabbitskin sale of the season held in Wellington to-day -when a medium sized catalogue was offered. Although bidding was fairly spirited, it was quite evident that buyers anticipated a further decline in the market, but at the same time prices realised should prove very satisfactory to trapper* As compared with the last Dunedin sales to-day’s values were quito on a par. The outlook is very promising for the next monthly sale to be held in Wellington in May. Tho following range represents the prices obtained for well stretched and well got up skins: Runners and suckers, 21d to 25gd; light racks, 36d; heavy racks, 40d; dawny autumns, 42a; early autumns, 48d; late autumns. 54d ; incomings, 66<1; summers, 33d; milky, 31d; autumn broken, 39d; summer broken 30d; ty in ter’s stale. 43d to 58d; autumn blacks, early autumn blacks, 39jd; summer blacks 36d; haroskins, 30d. K S STOCK MARKET.. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report having held a clearing sale of dairy cows on account of Mr H. J. Burrell, Bunnythorpe, on Tuesday. The cows were an exceptionally- nice lot of high grade Jerseys in splendid condition and calving early. There was a good attendance of buyers and bidding was keen right through the sale. The whole herd of 40 cows averaged £l4 9s. Following were the prices realised: —£10, £lO 5s , £ll, £ll 10s, £l2 ss. £l3, £1 i 10s, £l4, £l4 15e; £ls, £l6, £l6 10s, £l7 ss. £lB to £2l ss.