H.—33

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

RESOLUTIONS OF DELEGATES OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 13th July, 1892. Ordered, " That the resolutions agreed to at a Conference held in Ghristchurch of delegates of Agricultural Societies throughout New Zealand be laid before this House, and referred to the Live-stock and Babbits Committee." —(Hon. Sir J. Hall.)

EBSOLUTIONS. 1. Eesolved— ' That the Government be asked to grant free passes on the railway to judges travelling to all agricultural shows." 2. Eesolved—" That, in the opinion of this Conference, the establishment of a properly equipped expert Agricultural Department is urgently required in New Zealand." 3. Eesolved —" That with a view to carrying the above resolution into practical effect, a petition to Parliament be prepared, to be signed by the Presidents of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, the Horticultural Societies, and the Presidents of the Chambers of Commerce, and that the petition be presented at the next session of Parliament." 3a. Eesolved—" That this Conference is in favour of the appointment of an Entomologist, with a view to a thorough investigation of insect and parasitic life, and especially with reference to the life-history and the means of dealing with the bot-fly." 3b. Eesolved—"That in the opinion of this Conference the appointment of a Government Veterinary Surgeon is necessary at the earliest date." It was urged that with a properly equipped Agricultural Department it was absolutely necessary for such an officer to be appointed. 4. Eesolved—" That with a view to the further development of the dairy industry in New Zealand, this Conference is of opinion that the Government should consider the propriety of at once establishing two or more peripatetic dairies of instruction." 5. Eesolved —"That Government be asked to have the agricultural statistics published at an earlier date ; and that all threshing-machines should be licensed by County Councils, and required to furnish a record on the 31st May and 31st December of all grain threshed by them, in order that a more accurate record of the grain in the colony might be obtained." 6. Eesolved —"That steps be taken to introduce elementary agricultural education and farm book-keeping in State Schools, such education to be substituted for some part of the present syllabus of less general importance, and not to be made an additional subject." 7. Eesolved —" That scholarships gained in primary schools be available, if desired by pupils, for Lincoln College." 8. Eesolved —" That this Conference is of opinion that adulterated manures are sold in New Zealand, and that legislation is necessary to protect agriculturists from fraud." 9. Eesolved —"That the Government should, during next session, introduce a measure to enable local bodies and private individuals to retard the spread of noxious weeds. That before any legislative action be taken in regard to the spread of noxious weeds, and their control, the proposal's be submitted to the various Agricultural and Pastoral Associations for their approval." 10. Eesolved —" That the Government be asked to furnish to the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations returns of the amount collected under the sheep-tax, and how expended." 11. Eesolved —" That in the opinion of this Conference the sheep-tax should be abolished, and that the cost of maintaining the department in an efficient state be .in future charged against the consolidated revenue." Carried. 12. Eesolved —"That it be a recommendation to the Government to employ the police for the collection of the dog-tax." 13. Eesolved—" That the present arrangements at Quail Island are so defective that the objects of the quarantine are rendered nugatory; and that the Agricultural and Pastoral Association of Canterbury inquire into the present quarantine regulations and ground with the view of recommending any necessary alterations, and also fixing a fair scale of charges." 14. Eesolved —" That a better system of registration, ear-marking, and brands be adopted." 15. Eesolved —"That the attention of the Government be called to the large amount of sheepstealing rampant throughout New Zealand, and asking that remedial measures may be at once taken, such as offering rewards, &c."