Agricultural Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 325, 29 May 1894, Page 2

Agricultural Conference.

IMPORTANT TO FABMEBS. (Per Press Association). Wkmjnoton, May 28 The conference of delegates from various Agricultural Associations in New Zealand will open in tbe Museum builhngs at 10 a.m, to-morrow, and will last three days. A large number of aab jeets will be discussed, but each delegate will not be allowed to speak longer than five minutea oii any particular matter. Mr William Beetham, president of the Wellington Agricultural Society, will be in the chair. Sixty delogates wdl be present. This Day. The agricultural conference opened to day. Fifty- seven delegates are present representing thirty- five associations. The Minister of Lands wrote regretting his inability to be present, and stating the resolutions of the conference wonld have his most careful consideration. Mr H. Overton, of Canterbury, who acted as chairman at the last conference, welcomed the delegates, and explained tbe secretary had collected information showing that potatoes could not be grown in this colony at such prices as would make the farina industry profitable. He warned them it was evident they mnst face keen competi* tion in frozen meat from Australia, but we need fear neither an exhaustion of the supply nor a deterioration of quality. The butter industry waa now voder a cloud, but he had reason to believe a satisfactory milking machine would be shortly invented which would do a good deal to improve it. He thought grain would bave to be grown in future more for eon sumption upon the land by stock than for exportation. At the. conclusion of tbe address Mr Beetham was elected chairman. The Conference then proceeded to discuss the besb means of putting a stop to sheep and cattle stealing. The following resolutions were passed " That in view of the large revenue derived from tbe taxation of stock the Government be requested to appoint a competent person in such centres as may be considered necessary for the purpose of detecting any sheep or cattle stealing." "That in the opinion of the Conference the prevalence of sheep and cattle stealing in the various parts of the colony is so serious that the special attention of the Minister of Justice be called to the urgent necessity for taking I immediate stepsto detect and punish the offenders, and Tttat the suggestion [be made to the Stock. Department to offer a reward for the of sheep and cattle thieves oui >f a fund raised by a special tax on sheep." ■— — _^— — — ■— »