NEW ZEALAND FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1917, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAU MEETING. , The annual meeting of tlie N.Z. Frie. sian Association was held at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening, Mr. J. H. Parkinson (president) presiding over an attendance of about 20 memberß. The report showed that considerable progress had been made and that the popularity of the Friesians was still strongly in the ascendant. This was proved by the number of transfers and the millibar of new members, both of \vhi n i. ~re records. Eighty-eight new me.i,,._rs had joined, bringing the membership up to 358. The third year book issued by the Association made interesting reading. The number of cows tested during the year ending December 31 was 49 and though no records were broken, the standards required were handsomely beaten ift every case. The number tested was, however, disappointing. This was of the utmost importance from every point of view, as it would tell more that anything else in displaying the tremendous productive qualities of the breed and in promoting the Association's interests. The report urged breeders to place as many cows as possible under test. It was a paying proposition as buyers were asking for the progeny of tested cows. Quite a number of cows I had been sold to go to Australia and a good trade was likely to develop in the Commonwealth. Reports of recent sales in England were most gratifying, a six-weeks'-old calf being sold for £6OO recently, whilst a four-months'-old bull made £325. Reports from Australia, China, Japan, Argentina, South Africa, South America, etc., showed that Friesians were early becoming the most popular of the dairy breeds for the facts of their great productive powers, hardness and general utility under all conditions.

The following averages were obtained: —Two-year-old juniors, 10,9781bs milk, 392.961ba fat; senior, 11,6251b5, £13.481bs •fat; three-year junior, 13,0641ba milk, 423.171bs fat; senior, 13.55G.11b9, 478.01 lbs fat; four-year, junior l. r >,o24.flßlbfi, 525.651bs fat; senior, 12.283.71bs milk, ■loßlbs fat; matured, 13,850.1"21bs milk, 492.751bs fat; average per cow 12,097.50 lbs milk, 447.701ba fat. The percentage of Frieaiana in comparison with the number registered was 11 per cent., as compared with 7 per cent, by the next recognised dairy herd. The silver cup donated by Mr. Andrew Logan, of Makutuku, for first semi-official tested junior two-year-old cow to put up 5501bs of fat had not yet been won. Mr. Marchant (Cardiff) believed the Society did insufficient to promote the cause of semi-official testing. They had a very considerable revenue and last year had only expended £IOO in this direction. He suggested that the Society should pay the cost of semi-official testin#.

The secretary stated that the fund was being built up with the ideal of importing cattle from Holland when times were normal. The council, he said, had decided to pay one third of the cost of the semi-official test, where a cow exceeded the standard by lOOlbs and two thirds where the yield was over BOllbs. They were also asking the Government to reduce the fee where one owner tested nine cows or more at one time. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The follov'ijjt officers were elected:— President, Mr. E. C. Banks (Mata Mata); vice presidents, Messrs C. E. Buckland (Cambridge) and G. Aitcheson (Itaitangata); treasurer, J. Liggins (Tokomaru), re-elected; auditor, P. L. Simm (re-elected); council, Messrs Leonard and Troupe (re-elected). Mr. G. S. Clifford (Lepperton) was appointed to act during the absence of Mr. A. 0. Street at the front. Discussion took place regarding increasing the number of the executive and Mr. Barton gave notice to move in that direction next meeting. GENERAL. Mr. Newton King wrote acknowledging the honor conferred upon him in appointing him a life member of the Association. The secretary also read a postcard received from Mr. A. H. Street at the front. A letter was received from the secretary of the American Holstein Association. in connection with the deletion of the word "Holstein," pointing out that it was a decided disadvantage. All herd books, except those in Holland, were on the Holstein or the Holstein-Friesian breed, and the name had a world-wide significance. The name Freisian had a very limited area in which it was known. There was no good reason why the change should be made, when the cattle of Holland had been known by the English speaking races ever since they were known at all as Holsteins.

Mr. Marchant thought it was a mistake to'alter the name. It was resolved to invest another £SOO in war bonds.

Mr. Overton (Canterbury) drew attention to the fact at some of the shows in Canterbury grades were allowed to compete against pedigree cattle. He also touched on the indifferent judging at some of the Canterbury country shows, where possibly a judge from another breed would be appointed. The secretary stated that he never forwarded a medal .without cheeking the catalogue and ascertaining that twenty registered cattle had entered. It was resolved to notifly the A. and P. Societies that the Association's prize would not be allotted where grade cattle were allowed to compete in the same class.