SOUTHLAND TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 33

SOUTHLAND TOPICS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELCOME NEWS. Although no definite announcement has yet been made, it is more than probable that manures will be slightly reduced in price this season. There is also a similar prospect of a reduction in the prices of superphosphate. Such a reduction would be especially welcome this season, and would go a long way towards helping the farmer. All are now commencing to get ready for winter work, and ploughing operations have already commenced on many farms.

ROUND THE CORNER. The recent improvement in the financial position of the farmer gives rise to the belief that the corner has been turned in the prevailing economic depression. Reports to hand within the last week or so only go to confirm this belief, as Home markets have shown a firming tendency in cheese, butter, and lamb, the steady rise being more reassuring than the fluctuations, to a great extent, of recent prices. The latest quotations for coloured cheese are up to 555, which is equal to 5.22 d f.o.b. With the end of the season in sight, the milk supply has been rapidly dwindling, and several of the Southland factories have changed over to butter manufacture for the remainder of the season, for it has been realised that this is a better proposition than cheese-making on the present market position. THE TESTING TIME. The Arbitration Court, having now issued a general order making a reduction .in the minimum rates of pay in awards, has. to a large extent, inspired a feeling of relief that a definite point has at last been reached. Although doubtless some time must elapse before any marked effect of the relief is noticed, it seems clear that immediate advantage will be taken by retailers to reduce prices to stimulate trade. In some trades, too, the benefits will show almost at once. It is noticeable that the building trade expects to .find a better demand coming from both town and country as a result of the appearance of the Court’s decision, while a revival of. activity in the sawmilling industry is hoped for,' In every direction it is confidently anticipated that there will be a reduction in the cost of living to maintain economic equilibrium. And the most important .question of all is yet to be decided: Will rents and interest rates fall? On m'any occasions the .opinion has been expressed that -the present crisis, is accentuated by the high rates of interest ruling, and that if some reduction could .be effected there would be an immediate improvement in the general economic position. The very heavy interest load carried by the Government, local bodies, etc., must profoundly affect all costs, and there seems little doubt that this whtfle aspect will be thoroughly thrashed out during the coming session of Parliament.

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. Delegates representing practically every branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in the province were present in force at the annual Southland Provincial Conference last week, when many questions of national and 1 local importance to the farming community were thoroughly thrashed out. Some 70 delegates’ assembled'at the somewhat early hour of 10 o’clock, and the deliberations were continued until after 6.30 in the evening, the bulk of the time being occupied in the discussion of a long list of remits covering many vital questions. Before vacating the chair, the retiring president (Mr E. Bowmar) delivered an address on the

pretent farming and economic situations, while the annual dinner (held after all the bustle and argument had been concluded), was attended by Mr E. K. Sim (the newly-elected president), the Mayor and Mayoress of Invercargill, Mr Vincent Ward, M.P., and Mrs Ward, Messrs Adam Hamilton and D. M'Dougall, M.P.s, and a host of other visitors. The remits considered by the conference dealt with many and varied matters, from fertiliser pricct to unemployment difficulties and voluntary arbitration, but each resolution was carefully considered by the delegates, who either defeated, adopted, oi amended the resolutions in accordance with the views of the majority as to what was in the best interests of the farmers as ne important remit (from the Woodlands branch), which was carped unanimously, was: “This conference is ot opinion that owing to the present depression, all salaries paid by the New Zealand farmers’ Union should be redtieed by 10 per cent.” So far as the southland branch is concerned, it was announced at the meeting that the secretary and the organiser had both agreed to reduce their respective salaries. SOUTHLAND EXHIBITORS SUCCESSFUL. S" f -cess has again come the way of n?™ a w-' /° r o’! vari °U 3 classes in the O.ago Winter Show just concluded the names of exhibitors from, this province appeared fairly frequently in the prize 1 , Although only occasionally at the head of the list in the individual classes, the competition from Southland factories in the dairy produce section indicated qmte clearly that Southland cheese maintained a good standard of excellence. Jn the coloured cheddar open class with to entries, Edendale (Mr George Dickson manager) gained third place with a’ grading of 94 J points, Barry’s . Bay and Milton filling first and second places respectively. In the classes for the larger iactories, Awarua was second and Fairfax m a large class of 16 entries for white cheese, while Grove Bush was unopposed and secured a grading of 934 in the coloured class. Seaward Downs secured third place in a class of eight, tor cheese made with New Zealand rennet, and W right s Bush gained second award in the South Island Dairy Association’s special class in a class of eight for medium cheese. Awarua was placed third With a grading of 94. Unpasteurised cheese scored in the novice class, which was won by Fortrose with a grading of 944 in a class of 10 competitors, Wright’s Bush being placed third in the same class. In another large open class with 14 entries, Waikouaiti headed the list, followed by Menzies Ferry and Edendale in that order. Coming to both the fat cattle and sheep sections, there was keen competition, and several Southland exhibitors were successful, among whom were George Law', Otautau; William Lindsay, Wallacetown; Evans Bros., Longbush; and George Gray, Wallacetown, all achieving a fair measure of success. The Show itself was a very comprehensive one, and, over and above the competitive sections which received good support, there were numerous special displays of interest and a large number of trade displays. ALL IN THE FIELD. The rumour that has been current for some time that Mr William M’Chesney, who is well known as the Mayor of South Invercargill and as a successful candidate in the recent Southland Electric Power Board election, was to uphold the United banner at the forthcoming general election has now' been confirmed, headquarters in Wellington having approved of Mr' M’Chesney’s nomination. His selection strikes the death-blow at the negotiations which have been proceeding for some time between the United and Reform adherents in Invercargill with a view to the selection of a fusion candidate suitable to both as an advocate of fusion. The political field for this constituency, however, seems to be swelling, and an indication that very keen interest will be taken in the general election is afforded by the unusually large number of possible candidates who have been mentioned in the city during the past few weeks as likely representatives of the- various parties. In fact scarcely a day passes without rumours of yet another contestant about to enter the political arena. So far the Reformers have not approached any aspirant, but it is understood that their local representatives will meet in the course of the next fortnight to select the party's candidate. Added interest is lent to the situation by the announcement that Mr John Miller, Mayor of Invercargill, is reported to have signified his intention to contest the scat as an Independent candidate. Mr Miller’s candidature is somewhat unexpected, but in view of his recent victory in the mayoral contest he will undoubtedly be regarded as a formidable opponent. His mayoral contest this year shows that he can rely on a fairly- large personal following, and if there is anything in the suggestion that he may secure a big Labour vote, his appearance in the field will completely alter the aspect of the coming fight, because his chances of winning are by no means small. Rumour has associated other names with Independent candidature,' including that of the Hon. J. A. Hanan, ' but in the absence of definite information, too much reliance cannot ba placed on these reports. Mr W. C. Denham, a well-known Labourite, is the chosen of the local Labour Party, and his nomination has just been endorsed by the powers that be in Wellington. It is clear that there will be a triangular duel in Invercargill, and the possibility of a fourth candidate cannot be ignored. The Independent candidate for the Awarua seat will be Mr Norman MTntyre, of Tussock Creek, who at the request of a large deputation of farmers which waited upon him has consented to enter the field.