AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2574, 7 August 1909, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE

RESOLUTIONS PASSED. (Pot- Press Association A - WELLINGTON, August 6. The following resolutions wore carried at the Agricultural Conference:— “That the Government bo as'ked to invite schemes for the better earmarking of sheep, and if the schemes considered, feasible they be referred to a committee of competent sheep owners for consideration.” “That in view of the approaching Argentine show being held at Buenos Ayres on June Ist, 1910, the Conference take united notion and lay before the Acting-Prime Minister the desirability ' of the Government assisting breeders through their Breeders’ Association, and aiso other breeders in this Dominion, to exhibit their stock at that show.” “That grounds hold by an A. and P. Association for the purpose of air agricultural or winter show bo exempt from local rates, and that the Government be askeu to favorably consider the proposal.” Mr D. McGregor, jnr,, Masterton, thought it was useless asking for exemption. The local bodies rendered their service, which was necessary to the proper conduct" of the shows. “That eection 7 of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Act, 1908, be •amended to givo associations further powers of dealing with the purchase money of lands sold, by the addition of a clause empowering them to apply the purchase money received in the repayment of any mortgage previously given, to enable the purchase of land required for the purpose of the society.” “That it is desirable that one uniform set of rules re disqualification of exhibitors should be adopted by all Metropolitan A. and P. Associations, and that the following be among those adopted: (a) Any exhibitor _ or other person interfering with or using insulting or improper language to a judge or to any of the officers of the association in regard to the execution of their duty, or being guilty of improper conduct on the show ground, may be disqualified from exhibiting at future shows of the association, and if a prize has been taken shall be liable to liave ail Lie unpaid prize-money forfeited at the discretion of the council of the association, whose decision slialj be final. (b) Should any person or firm be disqualified or suspended by a kindred metropolitan association, or by any other, A. and P. Association in the cal) district, the council of this .association shall have power to endorse such disqualification or suspension fjliouid they see fit. (c) Should any exhibitor in the opinion of the council be guilty of fraudulent or unfair practices, cr any deceit or concealment, cither in Cnrseirng 91' exhibiting stock; all the exhibits of such exhibitor shall be disqualified and his name shall not appear in the official prize list.” ‘ “That a list of competent judges, in ail stock classes be prepared, and the same be forwarded to the secretary of different associations, to enable, the committee to choose the judges from the said list.” “That ill the opinion- of this COiii'erell'CS it is most desirable that all grants in aid made by the Government to A. and P. associations, other than land or otherwise, should be on a definite basis, and further, this conference inquire hits and report on the methods under which grants are obtained and the conditions governing the same.” “That the policy of withholding from Native owners of land the opportunity of (1) either occupying them under the same conditions as Europeans, or (2) disposing of them, is detrimental to the settlement of the country inasmuch as it fosters the spread of noxious weeds, delays the eradication of fruit pests and diseases, affords protection for tuberculosis and other diseased animals, and leaves an enormous- area of unproductive land.” “That the Government be requested to more stringently enforce the provisions of the Sheep Dipping Act.” Air. Stevenson read a letter written bv Air Ensor, of Canterbury, on the subject. The writer contended that t-lie' dip killed the ticks but not the eggs, which subsequently developed and caused irritation and trouble. r l ic'ks damaged wool to the extent of Id per lb. He clipped twice within 30 days, and thereby made the dip effective. An owner could not keep his flock clean unless others were compelled to dip effectively. Air Stevenson said lie had trouble with a clip, and found that it was causer! by want of uniformity in the dipping compound. “That the Government he urged to encourage the extension of the telephone system in rural districts by granting local authorities or local residents cower to. establish local telephone systems in centres where the Government cannot undertake to do so themselves.” “That the Crown should undertake the same resonsibilities with regard to the fencing and local rating of its unloaded reserves, and the control of the. noxious weeds and vermin thereon.- as private land owners.” .“That all exhibits consigned to a show should, without any certificates, be carried at quarter rates, and that all. Such exhibits or part thereof, if returned to original sending station within the stated time, be also charged quarter rates, tlie returning stock to be consigned by the association at whose show the stock was’exhibited, who will be responsible to the Railway Department that only the -original exhibits or part thereof are returned, and that the Minister of Railways be approached with a view to giving effect to the proposals.” . “That some system of universal training is necessary for the defence of the Dominion.” “That. in all future valuations of. agricultural properties by the Government for valuation purposes, water races should be counted as . improvements as against taxation, and that water supply boards should receive a subsidy on the total amount of rates collected, similar to other local bodies.” “That tlie Government be urged to compile and publish., at cost price, to

; the farmers, books -on the diagnosis and ■ treatment of diseases and common-ail-ments of horses, cattle, and sheep, special attention being given to the subjects of obstetrics, the most necessary, drugsvto be kept on a farm, instructions" in the making up /of prescriptions, and the uses of veterinary struments.” ■ “That the Government be urged to consider the advisability of issuing an up-to-date correspondence course of instruction in agricultural and pastoral science, with a view to the reaching of a largo number of students in their ' own homes who are at present unable to attend the agricultural classes and colleges; such course of instruction .could'be under the control of the Edu--1 cation Department, and examinations held at such times and places as the I. several boards may think fit.” ; The conference has closed. The delegates of the A. and P. Conference waited on the Hon. T. Mackenzie this morning, to bring under. his notice the most important resolutions passed by the conference. The Minis- - ter, in reply, said lie had been present most of the time of the delegates’ sitting, .and a good many points had already been cleared up. Regarding rural telephones, Air. Logan (inspec-_ tor) had already explained matters to the conference. The Government was anxious to do all it could to improve, the conditions of country life. No land badly infected with noxious .weeds would be abandoned until he had been over it. As to the frozen meat racle, he did not think the American Trust had done much harm up to the present, but it was impossible to say what it might do in the future, when it had a .greater hold on the Argentine market. New Zealand would have to work with Australia. He did not think the time was far distant when chilled beef would be sent from New Zealand. , Under a new process, meat could be . kept for 30 days. In regard to the settlement of Native lands,, a good deal more was being clone than the public imagined, and the Government was alive to the situation. Every endeavor would be made to extend the co-opera-tive experiments. In time the South Island would have its experimental farm.