FARMING PROGRESS.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 54, 20 October 1911, Page 4

FARMING PROGRESS.

THE MINISTER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Department of Agriculture, which was presented to Parliament on Thursday consists mainly of a survey of the position of the agricultural and allied industries during the past financial year. The ''progressive policy"spoken of by the Minister is not revealed. He states that solid advancement is being made in all branches of agricultural activity, the increasing output from the farms of the Dominion indicating that improved methods are being adopted, and that settlers on new country are rapidly making productive the virgin lands. On the subject of the meat trade the Minister remarks that in the early months of this year prices, receded, the reason being disinclination to sell at ruling rates, and consequent accumulation of stocks. Some holders of New Zealand meat apparently could not immediately clear at a profit and stored in anticipation of an improved demand- —a doubtful policy, especially with perishable produce. The Argentine people educated on American principles, allowed their meat to pass automatically into consumption, irrespective of ruling market values, a policy which enabled them not only to retain their connection, but to extend it to channels where our stored meat formerly had a connection —palpably a good thing for the Argentine shipper, and a bad one for the New Zealand producer. Increasing competition among freezing concerns in certain sections of the country, he adds, has led to prices practically above a parity of London values being paid, and has in consequence, curtailed the operations of the c.i.f. buyer,

Rumours, he adds, have been freely circulated of late to the effect that the American Meat Trust has been making inquiries in New Zealand with the object of extending operations to this country. A close watch is being kept for any signs of the trust endeavouring to obtain a foothold here.

On the subjsct of sheep, the Minister remarks that, with the increased attention being paid to longwool sheep in Australia, the exportation of stud sheep from New Zealand must increase both in volume and value. The flock book societies, he acids, have not as yet instituted any system of inspection of sheep when exported as representative of the pure breeds, and in view of developing trade with Australia the necessity of the inspection of stud sheep becomes very great, as the trade must suffer, and good breeders be handicapped, if inferior sheep are sold to Australian farmers as being typical of the pedigree stock of this country.