A. & P. CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 8

A. & P. CONFERENCE.

LIST OF REMITS. AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME. The annual conference of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies of New Zealand is to meet at the Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, oh July 30. The list of delegates and societies they represent is as follows:—Ashburton, Messrs. A. JJrummond, ,f. Cairns, and John Studholine; Auckland, Messrs. S. W. Luxford, J. It. Rutherford, and Edwin Hall; Clevcdon, Mr. Hall; Canterbury, Messrs. J, C. N. Grigg, \V. F. Parkinson, J. D. Hall, and D. l). Macfarlane; Dannaviike, the President and L. C. Mr. F. G. Troweek; Franklin, Mr. James Wylie; Ellesmere, Messrs. J. Cunningham and H. E. Fincham; Feilding, the President and H. J. Booth; Hawke's Bay, Jjessrs. T. H. Lowry and H. 11. Campbell, M.P.; Kaikoura, tho President, E. A. Maude, and A. J. Murray; Masterton, Messrs. Hugh Morrison and Duncan M'Gregor, junr.; Manawatu, Messrs. T. R. Hodder, A. Conway, and S. R. Lancaster; Northern, Messrs. A. S. Clarkson and James Stevenson; Nelson, Dr. Andrew; North Otago, Mr. E. P. Lee, M.P.; Otago, Messrs. A. S. Orbell and H. V. Fulton; Poverty Bay, Mr. W. S. Mac Donald, M.P.; ,~jngitikei; Southland, Messrs. W. D. HiTnt and John Carmichael; Strata ford, Messrs. R. Dinglo and J. B. Hine, M.P.; Taranaki, Messrs. J. H. Connett and H. Okey, M.P.; Timaru, Messrs. A. M. Jameson and Hugh Lowry; Wairarapa, Messrs. E. Eagle, and H. R. Bunny; Waikato, Mr. Thos. Hinton; Waikato Farmers' Club, Mr. J. A. Young, JI.P.; Wanganui, Messrs. Higgie and H., V. Hammond. Addresses are to bo delivered bv the Prime Minister, Professor R. M. Alexander ("Plant Breeding and the Improvement of Seed"), Mr. A. H. CocKayne ("Weed Problem and Its Significance in New Zealand Agriculture"), Mr. B, C. Aston ("Phosphateg"), and Mr. C. J. Realces ("Certain Nutritive Disorders of Live Stock"). Tho principal remits received are as follow; — By Canterbury—That for the purpose of organising persons engaged in tho agricultural and pastoral industries in New Zealand, it is necessary that a Chamber of Agriculture be formed, and that such Chamber should consist of all associations which are concerned in such industries. By Manawatu.—That a governing body, to be known as the national agricultural and pastoral societies' conference, or other suitable name, should be established. By Stratford—That we affirm the desirability of neighbouring associations throughout the Dominion holding periodical conferences, with the object of settling matters of local interest to their mutual benefit. By Egmont—That the Government bo Rsked to establish a board of agriculture, and to give the A. and P, Associations representation upon it. By Canterbury.—That it is desirable that a seed growers' association should bo formed in New Zealand on similar lines to tho Canadian Seed Growers' Association. By Auckland.—That this conference strongly urges (a) that the A. and P. Associations of the Dominion cordially cooperate with the supervisors of experiments in both islands, in top-dressing and other experiments suitable to the class of farming practised, as may be arranged for in their various districts; and (b) that for the improvement of tho Government runs, some portion of one should bo set asido for experimental purposes, so' as to ascertain if any system for improving the pasture can bo economically carried out. By Otago.—That the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act be discussed by the conference. By Otago.—That large areas in tho South Island of 6conic reserves, and mountain wastes are capable of carrying thousands of pounds sterling of opossum furs annually, and that tho conference urges the Government to utilise this source of national wealth. By Masterton.— I That this-conference is of opinion that ono fully-equipped agricultural collego would bo' better for New Zealand than two or three smaller ones, and that the Government be urged to give effect to the recommendation of tho Education Commission, (b) That as soon as the attendanco in tho secondary department of a district high school in an agricultural or pastoral district reaches an average of eighty, an agricultural high school should bo established oa tho lines of those recently set up in Victoria and New South Wales.

By Taranaki —That all agricultural show grounds in a borough or county should be exempt from rates. By Waikato.—That dehorned cattlo bo allowed to compete at agricultural shows without being penalised. By Hawke's Bay.—That the judges' list be rovised, and that: (a) Societies bo asked only to include jinmes of judges who are members of their own society, and whose competency they aro prepared to stand by; (b) that the conference recommend societies to follow a consistent rulo with regard to payment of judges' expenses, viz., rail and steamer fares, plus 10s. a day while necessarily absent from home, to cover hotel and other expenses. By Auckland.—That tho question of publishing tho names of judges of agricultural shows beforo tho entries close (bo considered.

By Auckland.—(a) That this conference trusts that Parliament will adopt a policy of light railways as feeders to our main railway system, whiefh. has been such a success in Belgium, (b) Where the State cannot undertake their construction, thia conference considers that provision should be made by statute, so that such railways can be undertaken by private enterprise (either by local bodies, companies, or private individuals), and such statute should provide that substantial assistance should bo given by the State, and a connection granted with the main system of tho State railways, somewhat on tho lilies of the Belgium system. By Ashburton.—That the Government bo urged to encourago and assist farm labourers to make homes for themselves in rural districts, and more particularly to introduco such legislation as will enable the Government and County Councils to take joint and co-operative action in furtherance of this end. That tho Government bo requested to take steps to encourage tho introduction of moro farm labour into New Zealand.

By Ashburton.—That ill all Government ballots for land for settlement lands, experienced farm labourers should be given preference over all other applicants. By Auckland.—That with the object of improving the various breeds of torses in the Dominion, the Government be urged to institute a system of premiums for approved stallions, to travel the various districts, and servo mares at a limited fee. By Manawatu.—'That it is essential a Bill providing for the registration of stallions, as set out in the Bill drafted by Mr. Reakes, bo passed into law this year. By Poverty Bay.—That all horses exhibited in the breeding classes shall pass a veterinary examination as to their boing free from hereditary unsoundness, and a certificate to that effect must be produced at time of entry. By Canterbury—That a veterinary certificate of freedom from hereditary unsoundness, issued in respect of horses exhibited at an earlier show, should bp accepted at subsequent shows throughout the year; that all such certificates bo issued by veterinary surgeons appointed by the Government. By Egmont.—That the conference discuss tho question of the quarantining of' 6tock. By Manawatu—That the Government toko steps to prevent cows suffering from contagious mammitis being sold as dairy cows. By Auckland.—That in view of serious losses sustained by farmers and graziers through fires, tho Government be asked to pass a measure on the lines recommended by tho ISO 7 conference, to eheclc tho starting of fires. By Ashburton.—That the number and capacity of tho Government railway goodssheds at country stations are not sufficient for the requirements of tho present goods traffic, especially during the wool and grain .season. That the Government. should either largely increase their own storago accommodation, or should encourage farmers to erect a privato or cooperative goods-shed. That, with this end in view, the Railway Department should amend tho present prohibitive conditions regulating tho right to erect private grain sheds, and should be satisfied witli such payment as will recoup the Deportment for tho actual outlay involved,