FARMERS’ OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1922, Page 5

FARMERS’ OUTLOOK.

A MARKED IMPROVEMENT. THE COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 19. The annual conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture commenced to-day. There was a large attendance of delegates from all parts of the Dominion. In his review of the past year and statement of the outlook, so far as primary producers are concerned, the president (Mr. G. L. Marshall) said that one might say with confidence that the prospects now were considerably better than twelve months ago. However, during the interval many good fellows had lost their farms, their homes, and their savings, and many others were wondering whether they would be able to round the corner. Local taxation in farm and country rates and levies for hospitals had increased enormously of late years, and were now a heavy burden on the land. The successful establishment of a Royal Show for New Zealand was the most important subject before the conference at the present time. The ex-, port trade in stud stock was reviving and the hope was e??pressed that the conference would give a lead to the establishment of a central body representative of all land-users.

MINISTER OPTIMISTIC. Addressing the council, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. Nosworthy) said he thought he could honestly state that the position from the agricultural and pastoral viewpoint had improved very considerably, but we were not likely to arrive at a period of national prosperity until such time as the cost of production could be brought within reasonable limits and until taxation could be adjusted more satisfactorily. The dairy industry had had a record season, lambing showed a high percentage, the wool dip was a good one. the wheat crop heavy, and the outlook for wool very promising. Mutton maintained satisfactory values, but the beef depression continued. The health of New Zealand live stock had been maintained at its usual high level. Dairy cattle had increased substantially, but sheep showed a big decrease of one million in this year’s interim return. This, perhaps, was the most unsatisfactory feature in the agricultaural situation, and called for serious consideration. The freezing and export of lamb had reached a record level. The Meat Producers’ Board had already accomplished good work in connection with freight rates and freezing charges. It was satisfac- ' tory to note that the freezing works and other cool stores would commence ■ the new season with clean floors. The : rabbit nuisance problem was serious, and the effective operation of the Act was hampered by the high commercial value, of the skins. A conference of all the interests appeared to be the best 'preliminary for dealing with the position in a practical way. POSITION OF ARMOURS. The Government had agreed to take all first-class milling wheat at a fixed price. There was more damaged wheat than was anticipated, and the Government would have to consider the best course to take with respect to secondgrade wheat. He thought Armour and Co. would now conduct their business on lines satisfactory to Dominion farmers. The ambition of the Government was to pull the country through the present difficulties and put the country on a sound wicket. Mr. J. D. Hall was elected president. A motion was passed protesting against ithe amuserrtent tax, and a remit carfried that steps be taken to proceed with the proposal to federate the (various farmers’ organisations for the purpose of furthering and protecting (farmers’ interests, and that the executive be given power to appoint delegates to act for the council in this matter. AMUSEMENT TAX OPPOSED. EDUCATING YOUNG FARMERS. BETTER FACILITIES URGED. Wellington, Last Night. At the Council of Agriculture conference, Mr. T. Young (Gore) moved that the Government should be asked to seriously consider the borrowing of, say, £10,000,000 to assist production, the money to be advanced to producers under the Advances Department on reasonable terms of interest and repayment. After a genera! discussion the remit was withdrawn. The following remits proposed and submitted by the branches named were carried : Oxford.—(-“That the amusement tax as imposed on agricultural and pastoral associations is iniquitous and unreasonable, inasmuch as these associations are educational institutions, neither being places of amusement nor run for profit, and that the tax be repealed.” There were several other remits. One from Egmont read: “That this association, together with other A. & P. Associations, resents the levy of the amusement tax on A. & P. shows, which ( are held for education purposes and not for amusement, and that a refund be made io those associations which have already pad the tax during the current year.” Masterton. —“That the conference draws the attention of the Minister of Railways to the unfair action of the Railway Depart-' ment regarding excessive charges on dead meat as against live stock; and that the necessary steps be taken to proceed with the proposal carried last year of federating' the various farmers’ organisations for the purpose of furthering and protecting fanners’ interests in such matters as taxation, freights, agricultural education, finance and other matters, which affect all branches of the industry, but not sp as to interfere with the control by such organisations of matters which affect their particular branches of industry only.”

Masterton.—“That the council dratvs the attention of the Government to the growing tendency to give undue prominer ce to the professional and commercial side of education to the neglect of subjects calculated to interest and assist those likely to take up agricultural pursuits, and they would urge such an adjustment of schools and of training that more of th* 1 ? young people of both town and country would be attracted to rural occupations, ahd would therefore be better qualified to succeed : n them, and thus to retard the serious drift to the cities, which is checking production k aud is a great menace to the welfare of

the nation; that the Board of Agriculture and the Farmers’ Union be asked to cooperate in stressing the importance of immediate action being taken, and also that the whole matter be referred to the executive for consideration and action.” Wairarapa.—“That representations be made to the Government to remove the present injustice in levying income tax, whereby farmers who also have money invested in other businesses or investments are not allowed to set off losses in one business against profits in the other.” Clevedon.—“That nominations for the Board of Agriculture close in time to allow the list of notninations to be circularised among district A. & P. Associations prior to the election.” 1 Hawke’s Bay.—“ That the Minister of Railways be urged to grant excursion fares to stockmen in charge of stock travelling to agricultural shows, as it is necessary for such men to travel before the ordinary excursion fares are available.” Taranaki.—“That the conference be again urged to bring before the notice of the Minister of Railways the urgent necessity for improved railway facilities for die conveyance of stock to and from agricultural shows, especially with a view to speeding up arrival at their final destination.” Wairarapa and East Coast forwarded similar resolutions.