5

H.—29a

Earmarking and Branding of Stock. We had referred to us by the New Zealand Council of Agriculture for our consideration and support the following resolution : " That the present system of earmarking and branding is most unsatisfactory, and that the Government be asked to devise a better method of identification of stock and one less cumbersome than the present method." In reply to our request whether the system which it had been stated by the Assistant Director of the Live-stock Division of the Department of Agriculture at the last conference of the Council of Agriculture had been devised was available for our consideration, so that a recommendation might be submitted to you in the matter, the Secretary of Agriculture by your direction forwarded us a copy of a communication from the Director of the Live-stock Division explanatory and illustrative of the system, together with an adverse criticism of it by the Registrar of Brands at Wangauui. A sub-committee of the Board was set up to report on the scheme. They made an inspection of the sheep which had been earmarked by the Department in accordance with the system, and have reported that the marks were very plain and distinct, and, although at present incomplete, they were of opinion that the system was well worthy of further inquiry and subsequent trial. The scheme is one capable of giving many distinct ear-marks which would be of great convenience so far as the breeder of sheep is concerned. The principal difficulty, however, appeared to be in the case of sheep which changed ownership from time to time. This did not seem to be provided for in the scheme, and it would render the adoption of the plan rather difficult unless it could be overcome. Improvement in Dairying and in the Management of Dairy Herds. We discussed with Mr. Pope, Secretary of Agriculture, the practicability of giving instruction at Weraroa Central Development Farm in better dairying methods to both boys and girls engaged in the dairying industry on farms—for instance, the treatment of milk, feeding of cows, rationing, &c. Mr. Pope informed us that it would be practicable to arrange short courses in dairying subjects during the winter months for farmers' sons and daughters, as. suggested, with the present staff. The Board would be glad to hear in due course the success or otherwise of the experiment. Wool-pack and Corn-sack Shipments from Calcutta. The Board's co-operation was asked to take steps to expedite the arrival of shipments of wool-packs for the ensuing season from Calcutta. In the previous year the delay in the arrival of wool-packs through the vessels being taken up for the purpose of bringing coal from Australia and other work created a great deal of inconvenience. It was pointed out to the Board that some steps should be taken to ensure the earlier shipment of wool-packs in sufficient quantities so as not to cause any delay at shearing-time, as well as to ensure that a sufficient number of corn-sacks should be available for the harvest. On account of the urgency for action, the Board decided that the Hon. Minister be interviewed in the matter, and asked for the assistance of the Government in diverting a transport on its way to Australia to call at Calcutta to pick up the shipment. A deputation from the Board subsequently interviewed the Bight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, who promised that the matter would receive the attention of the Government, and if practicable the necessary steps would be taken to give effect to the Board's representations. The Board later addressed the General Manager of the Union Steamship 'Company at Dunedin in the matter. The company replied stating that prior to the war the following sailings were maintained—viz., one early in the year and two about the middle of the year with wool-packs, and two towards the end of the year with cornsacks. Owing to the war conditions and the detention of the Calcutta steamers for running coal to New Zealand, sailings became somewhat disorganized, and the vessels had been running late on dates, consequently the steamer which should have left Calcutta about the end of last year did not leave until the beginning of this year, and the following steamer was not expected to leave until some weeks later. Owing to importers apparently not waiting for the steamer that usually carried their wool-packs, but placing their orders forward, space in the earlier steamer had been fully allocated. The company further advised that it was proposed to maintain the steamers in the Calcutta trade and to run them as expeditiously as possible. If nothing occurred to hinder the sailings, the company expressed the opinion that they should be ample for New Zealand requirements both for woolpacks and corn-sacks. It is to be hoped that nothing will interfere with the proposed sailings. " Draft " on Wool. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister wrote to the Board in reply to our representations drawing his attention to the draft on wool, stating that the War Office had advised the Government that it regretted that the abolition of draft could not be granted. The Board still hope, however, that this matter will be one of the subjects which the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance will deal with when in London. The Wool Requisition. Complaint was made to the Board that butchers and farmers were receiving a price for sheepskins less than that arranged for with the Imperial Government, and instances were quoted where there had been losses of 2s. 6d. on each skin. The Board were of opinion that this was a matter which should be inquired into, and the following resolution was passed : — " That the Hon. Minister of Agriculture be written to and informed that the Board had had complaints that butchers and farmers were not receiving for their sheep-skins the price they should have obtained under the arrangement made with the Imperial Government, and that the Board were of opinion that some inquiry should be made by the officers of the Department of Agriculture, or some other officer appointed for the purpose, to see whether the trouble complained of could not be remedied."