THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 12

THE NORTH ISLAND.

GENERAL. According to Mr T. Short, Stock Inspector of the Department of Agriculture, Hastings, dairy herds all round the district, particularly in the Papakura and Pakowhai areas, are in very satisfactorycondition for this time of the year. In most cases dairymen have been feeding out hay and lucerne to their herds, with the addition of roots in some cases, although the growing of root crops has fallen from favour with dairymen generally in the province. While fat bullocks are getting scarce in the Hawke’s Bay markets, the Manawatu district is still fairly well supplied, according to a Hawke’s Bay buyer who has just returned from a visit to that area. Apparently the prices offering for beef at Addington have been sufficient to start off the North Island trade, for at last week’s sale a good-sized line of 35 steers came to hand from Palmerston North. They were nice cattle, and made about 30s per 1001 b, the line averaging £l4 13s 6d. It is doubtful if this ia sufficient to return a profit, but it would seem that consignments from the North to the South Island' are about to start in earnest. MANGE IN PIGS. The live stock division of the Department of Agriculture has issued some advice to farmers in regard to mange in pigs. The skin disease known as mange, or scabies, in pigs has recently been discovered to exist on several farms in the Manawatu district. Officers of the live stock division are actively engaged in dealing with the outbreaks, and as there is evidence that the disease has a more extensive distribution in the Dominion full inquiry is being pursued with the object of tracing centres of infection, and, by instituting suitable treatment and control measures, to endeavour to eradicate the disease. Towards this end the cooperation of all pig breeders is requested, as it is by reporting any suspicious cases among pigs that farmers can assist the department in eliminating what might prove to be a very troublesome menace to the pig breeding industry.

LIVE STOCK MARKET. At the Gisborne live stock sale there was a full yarding of fat sheep, which met keen competition and sold at a distinct advance in prices. Prime ewes, 10s 3d; wethers, 12s 6d; lambs, Ils sd; second grade ewes, 6s 7d to 8s sd; lambs, 8s lOd. Breeding ewes were dull, but other classes maintained late values. Ewes sold up to 8s 3d; average, 5s to 6s; empty, ss; fairly good 3s 9d to 4s lOd. Lambs : Fat and forward, 10s lOd; good stores, 6s 6d to 7s 4d; good medium size, 4s 3d to 5s sd. Wethers : Sappy, 9s Id; good stores, 8s sd; fairly good, 7s 6d. At the Feilding stock sale the lamb market was keener than ever, every pen selling at prices in excess of vendors’ reserves. Fat ewes and wethers also met with keen competition. Store sheep were hard to sell with the exception of lambs, which sold freely. Prices ranged as follows:—Fat wethers, 12s 9d to 15s; fat ewes, 8s 8d to Us; fat lambs, 9s to 15s 7d, extra 18s to 18s sd; wether lambs, 4s lOd, 5s 7d, 8s 4d, to 9s; mixed sex lambs, 3s 8d to 2d; ewe lambs, 10s 7d; four and five-year-old ewes (running with Southdown ram), 7s lOd; two-tooth ewes (running with Southdown ram), 12s 3d to 13s.

MARKETING OF APPLES. Present indications on overseas markets seem to indicate that Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers are going to enjoy a fair season in respect to returns for the fruit exported.. Values thus far have been quite satisfactory, but last season saw a disastrous drop in values when the bulk of the Sturmers came on to the market. Growers are just now watching the market anxiously in case a similar condition rules when this season’s Sturmers go on to the market, but thus far no very appreciable variation in values has been noted. In respect to the fear of a possible slump, if the market holds for the next fortnight it is felt that any danger will be passed. The general feeling is that effective steps have been taken this season to guard against what happened last year, because then there were a number of very large Sturmers loaded on to the English market, where these large siezs are not at all popular, meeting a poor demand. The effect of the prices realised for the larger sizes was to reflect on the values for the popular sizes. This year all larger sizes have been shipped to the Continent, where they always meet a fair demand, and besides giving the English market the sizes that it requires in respect to Sturmers,, the Dominion is. also sending Home a smaller quantity this season.

STATE LOTTERIES. Diverse views upon the question of gambling were expressed during a cliscussion at the Farmers’ Union Conference at Inglewood on June 5 of a motion “that the Government be urged to institute a State lottery, preferably by way of premium bonds.” The motion was defeated by a narrow margin, indicating a sharp difference of opinion. The State was in great need of money, and already considerable sums were being expended on art unions, while thousands of pounds were being sent to Australia for circulation, said Mr W. -Moloney in moving the resolution. Admittedly the form proposed was gambling, but already there was legislation permitting certain forms of gambling, while even the churches, which were opposed to gambling, held euchre .parties in aid of their funds. Lotteries controlled by the Government would be preferable, and the State would benefit. Gambling would never be suppressed entirely, so it would be better to control it, urged Mr B. Richmond, seconding the remit. About £500,000 went to Australia each year that could be kept in New Zealand. Bookmakers—supposed to be non-existent—were flourishing more than ever. Another- speaker urged that a referendum on the question be taken at the next election. This suggestion, he thought, would be less dictatorial. Life itself was a gamble, said Mr Benoni White, -supporting the remit. Strong opposition was expressed by the president, Mr H. E. Blyde. He considered the Farmers’ Union should not lower its dignity to such an extent as to support raising funds by gambling. Such a proposal in force would not encourage thrift, and “ get-rich-quick ” schemes would not mean progress for the country. To gain prosperity money must be directed into channels that would - remote industries. Mr Richmond: Would you prefer that gambling go on openly or underhand, as at present? Conditions would be far worse if gambling were encouraged, said the president. The Government. already was getting money from the totalisator, said Mr Moloney. To be consistent, the president should advocate its abolition. At present raffles were being encouraged in which children were buying tickets on the street. The motion was lost by 17 to 15.