HERD TESTING.

Shannon News, 27 September 1927, Page 2

HERD TESTING.

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION MEETS The monthly meeting of the executive of the Manawatu Herd Testing Association was held in Palmerston yesterday when there were present: Messrs W. H. Gimblett (in the chair), F. J. Legg, R. W. Evans, F. Woods, W. R. Hopcroft, W. E. Thomas and J. Ferguson (secretary). Some discussion arose oyer the Government subsidy- question. It was explained that any subsidy made by the Government would be deducted from the charge stated on the association circular. Mr Evans (Levin) said that members had been given to understand that the fee for testing would be three shillings; then a pamphlet was sent out stating that the fee would be 4s. Members who were paying 4s wanted to know why new members were being required to pay only 3s. Mr Hamilton (the Levin testing officer) had asked him to bring forward the matter. The secretary explained that the charge was uniform and that any members he had spoken to had been informed, that the testing fee would probably be nearer 3s than 4s on account of the subsidy. Mr Evans: But you don't know whether you are to get the subsidy. The association, he added, had not been able to do the testing last year for 3s and could not do it this year for that sum. If' his group did not get the testing done for 3s it would probably withdraw.

Mr Legg said that there had been a misunderstanding and that it would be a good thing if the secretary w r ent to Levin for a day to explain matters. Mr Evans said that there was a possibility of getting a small subsidy from the Levin factory. He understood that the Shannon Company had granted Is per cow towards the testing cost.

It was decided that the executive and the organiser-secretary visit Levin as soon as Mr Evans could arrange an opportunity of their meeting the farm, ers.

The secretary was instructed to write thanking Messrs Nash and Linklater, M. 'sP., for interviewing the Minister of Agriculture on behalf of the association in respect of the Government subsidy for herd-testing.