Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 205
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| Year | 1940 |
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398 PROCEEDINGS AT BOARD MEETINGS. the Prime Minister and the Minister of Supply to discuss the Prices of Wool. Sir Joshua Ross-Taylor and Mr \Villiam I. Elliot were nominated as the Society’s representatives on that deputation. Sir Joshua Ross-Taylor reported on the Meeting which the Society’s deputation had with Mr Ryan, of the Ministry of Food. He said they had had a very straight talk with Mr Ryan, but they came away feeling somewhat dissatisfied because they had not seen the Minister in person. They had also failed to secure an inter- view with Mr Burgin, the Minister of Supply. Sir Joshua also reported on the Meeting between the deputation appointed at the Joint Conference on \Vool and the Minister of Food. They were received by Mr Morrison, and they got a very good hearing from him. The deputation was chiefly concerned with the Sheep interests, but, in addition to that, they went thoroughly over much of the ground covered in their interview with Mr Ryan. They pointed out that, while farming interests were well represented in London, they felt that the advice given was not being acted on. Other interests were coming into the picture before those of the producers. Mr Morrison assured them he was doing his best to see that the producers got reasonable prices. Sir Joshua added that he was afraid the prices for Fat Stock would not be much higher than those announced on 11th November, but he thought there was a prospect of some recognition of their quality cattle in Scotland. The same deputation had requested an interview with Mr Burgin, Minister of Supply, with regard to the Prices of \Vool, but, following that request, on 15th December the prices to be paid for the 1939 clip were published, and an announce- ment made that the Minister would be prepared to discuss with the appropriate organisations the terms on which the 1940 clip should be taken over. Continuing, Sir Joshua said they were assured of consultations for the 1940 wool clip, but that did not ease the situation for hill farmers for 1939. He was certain that the prices fixed were unsatisfactory, and would not meet the costs of production. Further, a price of 10d. per lb. for Blackface \Vool bore no proper relation to the rices fixed for \Vliiteface \Vools, which were only 21d. or 213d. more. Mr William . Elliot, Middletoun, Stow, said sheep farmers were exceedingly disappointed at the prices which had been fixed for wool. Farmers were not asking for a profiteermg price, but only for one that was reasonable. The Chairman expressed the view that, while nothing more could be done with regard to wool at present in the farmers’ hands, every efiort should be made to get something done in the case of the 19-10 clip, and also with regard to the 1940 Potato crop. These, he said, were very important matters, and, unless the Government could restore the confidence of the farmers, the situation might be serious. The farmers were not out for an excessive profit, but they did want a price to cover the cost of production and leave a reasonable margin. That was what the Government had failed to provide. They did not want, he said, to be too critical of the Government at present. The Government had a big job to handle, and unfortunately had made many mistakes through lack of consultation with practical men. A particular instance was with regard to quality cattle in Scotland. They were told that during war was no time to produce quality cattle, which showed a lamentable lack of know- ledge of the fact that such cattle took no more, but rather less, to produce than inferior breeds of cattle. Colonel F. J. Carruthers of Dormont, Lockerbie, expressed the thanks of the Directors to the Committee for the efforts they had made, and said the matter could be left in their hands with full confidence that they would take whatever further steps were necessary. This was agreed to. . There was also read a letter from the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, dated 23rd December, containing observations by the Secretary of State for Scotland on the various points dealt with in the Memorandum by the Special Committee. Scottish Milk Records Association. An application was submitted from the Scottish Milk Records Association for a grant in aid of the work of the Association in view of the discontinuance of the Treasury Grant. . . ' . I It was decided that the application be remitted to the Finance Committee for consideration and report at next Meeting. Red Cross Fund. A letter was submitted from Lord Provost H. Steele, Edinburgh, asking if the Society would be prepared to give a subscription to the Local Fund for the Red Cross, It was decided that this letter also be remitted to the Finance Committee. PROCEEDINGS AT BOARD MEETINGS. 399 Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society. On the motion of the Chairman, it was unanimously agreed to confirm the proposed grant of £100 to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society for the year 1940. Finance. A Minute of Meeting of Finance Committee, dated 3rd January, was submitted and approved. The Minute dealt with the following matters :— iMembers on Military Service.—It was recommended that, in the case of members of the Society on Military Service, where notice was received that the were on Military Service, only one subscription notice be sent annually—viz., the first one, the later notices being withheld. Such members, although in arrears with their subscriptions, would continue to receive the ‘ Transactions ‘ annually, and to enjoy the other rivileges of membership. 1117' John Reid, howyard Erector.—It was recommended that a sum of £15 be allocated for the purchase of a piece of Silver Plate, or other article, to be presented to Mr John Reid as a memento of his long connection with the Society. MEETING OF DIRECTORS, 7TH FEBRUARY 1940. The EARL or HOM’E, K.T., and afterwards Mr ALEXANDER MURDOCH, in the Chair. Present—Ordinary Directors—Mr R. Scott Aiton; Mr J. W. Alexander; Mr John D. Allan; Mr James Clark; Mr W. I. Elliot ; Mr John Kerr; Mr James M‘Laren; Mr A. W. Montgomeric; Mr Robert Park ; Major Sir Samuel Strang Steel, Bt. Extraordinary Directors—Mr Alexander Murdoch ; Mr James Paton; Major Robert W. Sharpe. Treasurer—The Earl of Home, K.T. The Secretary intimated that the Chairman of Directors, Major R. F. Brebner, The Leuchold, Dalmeny, was unavoidably prevented from attending that Meeting. On the motion of Mr Alexander Murdoch, East Hallside, Cambuslang, the Earl of Home, K.T., was called to the Chair. Science. A Minute of Meeting of Science Committee, dated 7th February, was submitted and approved. The Minute dealt with the followin matters :— Schedule of Unit Valium—The Sche ule of Unit Prices of Manures and Feeding- Stufis, as at that date, had been revised, and it was recommended that it be printed and issued as usual. Values of Unexhausted Manures and Feeding-Stufi's.—It was recommended that the Table of Values of Unexhausted Manures and Feeding-Stuffs be re-issued, and that it be remitted to Dr Tocher, Consulting Chemist, to revise it in terms of the average Unit Values for the year. Importation Licenses for Farm Tractors. A letter was read from Captain Ian S. Robertson, Linkwood, Elgin, with regard to the restriction on Importation Licences for Farm Tractors and Implements, more especially in respect of the Ford-Ferguson Tractor and Implements. It was understood that the Board of Trade had refused an Import Licence for this Tractor, although a certain number had been allowed for Northern Ireland. It was stated that the Ferguson Tractor had been found to be very suitable for work on all types of soil, and especially on steep and stony land, and that the Ford-Ferguson was a decided improvement and was peculiarly suited to working conditions in many parts of Scotland. It was further stated that many farmers were presently on the outlook for new and improved tractors, and that, In the Elgin area alone, orders were waiting for 50 Ford-Ferguson Tractors. ‘ |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 205 |
