WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 June 1916, Page 3

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE

N.Z. FARMERS' UNHXV Ine annual conference was concluded in Lovin yesterday, when thp following ti'-vthor business was done;— BOOK-ivEM'LNG i-\ PRIMARY aOHOOLS. •'That the provincial c (Inference approach the Department of Education requesting 'that elementary book-keep-ing, based on rural operations, be made a compulsory eubjeot of „ the bohooi .syllabus lor country schools, the subject being allowed to remain optional I'or other schools. " This motion was moved' by Mr Jiiyaart, of" Makam, who dwelt upon the need— an increasing one—for the iarmor to be up in book-keeping. Mr Marshall (Marton) in seconding the motion pro forma, eaid that the executive already had approached the Education Department on this matter, andl hud been told that the syllabus was so full that this addition couki not bo made to it. The president took it that farmers were all agreed that their boys needed this tuition. Ho gave the motion his lull support. The remit was carfied on the voices. riRBDATORY DOGS. Tho conference discussed the evils arising out of dogs running at large and worrying stocK. it was moved ' 'That the local bodies enforce the attaching of the current year registered collars to dags by owners." Some delegates contendied that the work.ng of dogs with collarS' on was dangerous to the dogß, b(it the conference passed the resolution without dividing. RED CROSS SOUiETY.

Mr Bridge (on behalf at tho lied Cross Sooiety) h iefly addressed the conference in adv caoy of subscriptions to his so6ietv. Ho acknowledged with them, to their districts, sub.scripat the delegates' ibanquet last night, end aeked die legates to kindly take with them, to their districts, subsription lists. The conference gave a favourable hearing to the address. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers for the enesuing yoar were elected as follows:—President, Mr T. Moss 'Eketahuna (re-elected); vicepresident, Mr G. L. Marshall, Mart on (re-electedi); treasurer, Mr W. J. Biroh, Marton (re-elected). Before electing an executive committee, tho conference d)iscus&ed the proportional inspect. It wan eaid that 500 financial members were on the cast <jf the Tararua range and 1200 on the west. The conference resolved that nve memhens be elected for the east and eight for the west. The election, was roadie aB follows:—AVeat of ranges: J. Ba#ilie (Palmerston), H. Booth (Feilding), E. Cani'pbell ( Wauganui), J*.. Balrymple CMai-ton). A. Howie (\\ a.verlev), TC. Law (Shannon), J. Perrett (Fcikling). East of ranges: A. D. McLeod (Martinborough), W. B. Matheson (Flketa•huna), Hugh Morrison (Masterton), H. Kevins (Tainui). On the motion of Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Perry, it •was resolved that tho executive be asked to hold one meeting in Masterterton during tho yeaj (in February, during show week). NEXT YEAR'S (M\\ Mim\ T €E. I Considerable discussion took place regarding the place tor next year's conference. Feilding, Marton, Eketahuna and TUihape were sui'vested. Jli H. J. Riohards advocated tho claims of Taihape, btie the expense of travelling

that far was deemed a bar. ' It was resoivecf to accept the invitation of Mr Marshall that the nest conference be held at Marton.. Messrs Booth and Marshall were elected the provincial delegates to the dominion conference to be held next month. TE iIUIM. Conference resolved: "Thalt all Maori owners of dogs be taxed the same as .Europeans unclor the Local Bodies Act." General objection was taken to the power given Aliiori eils to levy dog-tax, it 'being alleged that the councils were dilatory in enforcing the registration. Mr Lynch (Paraparaumu) quoted Otaki as an example. Mr Broadbelt (Levin) seconded these remarks and advocated tliat the Jlaori Council powers be vested in the County Councils. x FARMERS' PORK. ''That the Wellington City Council 1)0 urged to establish a depot for dressed pork" wan a motion moved by Mr Saunders (Shannon). By oonsent of the conference, Mr A. iLeigh Hunt addressed the delegates in favour of the proposal. He said that there was a section of people (including bacon factories) that would toe well suited if the selling of pigs as at present were prohibited. Unless som-c-bhing was done to alter present conditions in Wellington they would find! the' City Council doing away with the present system of sales. Mr S. A. Broadibelt supported the proposal which was adopted. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Mr Ma/theson moved "That this conerence wishes to urge on the"Tk>ard oi Agriculture the great need for developing the system oi agricultural education, as on it depends in a large measure the future of the dominion." Speaking to the motion, he said there, was not one of the high schools now existing that had been set a.part for the purpose of agricultural education. Mr Terry seoondedi the motion., and the president (Mr Moss) said thnit, as a member of the "Wellington Education Board, he would bo glad to forward the proposal. Mr Balsillie favoured the proposal, but saidi that the tanners themselves should move in the matter instead ol crying out bo much to the Govemment. Mr Dickens (Pongar*a) said that the primary schools could do more than they did; some did their duty , but many did not. The remit was adopted.

LAND BALtLOTS FOR SOLDIERS. Mr Daysh ' moved : "That the nearest relative <A men at present serving with the Expeditionary Forces be allowed to ballot at land ballots for the aibeent soldiers 011 equal terms with returned discharged soldiers." The mover said that under the Lands for Settlement Act this was not allowed— even in the case ot a returned soldier who got his discharge. Mr Hebenton (MasterfconJ instanced' difficulties besetting soldier applicants. Even n suldlier about to be discharged could not get land until he held his parchment. The remit adopted. OTHER REMITS. Mr Howie (Waverley) moved: "That Mie Government be asked to put an im-I-oit duty 011 liarwood in lieu oi the differential railway tax. —£Vn;ried. Mi' iS.Hinders (Shaunon) moved and -ilr Lii'oadbelt (r.evin) seconded "That ihe Government place an export duty 011 wake pine." — Carried. A "sniail birds uui-aiiee" remit was withdiiawn. V ivniit from i'enui was carried: " 1 hat ali diivers of motor cars be i' quired to pass a test as to proficiency au<r that regulations ue brought m to limit the speed of driving on dangerous country roads. Another Tenui remit adopted ran: J hat. the Government be requested u< acquire suitable tana, e-jpeciaily properties of absentees, tor returned culdiors. ' Mir ferry gave his view that a great many absentee properties were bald simply for profit. If they were acquired we could attract to | New Zealand thousands of suitable settlers from overseas 01 whom Sir Ride Haggard had epoken. SIR RIDER HAGGARD.

Oa the motion of the president conference resolved "That it be a recommendation to the dominion executive to m-ake arrangements to conler with Sir Rider Haggardi on his arirval In "the dominion with regard to the settlement of British soldiers m New Zealand. Mr Lynch toon exception to the proposal and said that Sir Rider Haggard could) be better employed in settling soldiers on the waste lands oi England instead of trying to bring them here. Within tho lost few months the Duke of Sutherland Had made a lot at clearances from his estates, turning men out of their ancSatral homes so thet he could make recreation gioundis! New Zealand's first duty •was to her own eokliers. A delegate: "Room for them all; iNcw Zealand should carry a papulation of fifteen million 1"

APPRECIATIVE. The Rt. Hon. W. 1). Alassey (Premier) telegraphed the president of the conference: "Pleast accept and convey to tile conference tli® warm and oordial thanks of the Government for their kindly expressions approving the National Government's actions in the empire crisis. !1 have had great pleasured in handing your telegram to the Minister of Defence. May I aliso add that the terms of the resolution also contained in your telegram regarding compulsory service hare been dii'/y noted by the Government."— W. F. Masaey. A hearty vote of thanks to Levin branch for its hospitality was carried by acclamation. Tn reply, Mr Becher (president of the branch) said that the various biwnohee of Horowhenua cou'ity had helped in the matter.