A. AND P. SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 31 July 1907, Page 2

A. AND P. SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE

Per Press Association. Wellington, July 30. iuo Agricultural Societies' Conference opened to-day. Mr J. G. Wilson P T d \, U tho rou ™ ° f » lengthy address the Chairman said dwellers in fhe Dominion could fairly congratulate hemsclves on continued proserin-, based upon increased output from the agriculturists and pastoralists and Mhaneed values. "More interest," he said, is being taken in the scientific side ol dairying and the Minister of Agriculture is ot opinion that tho people are sutliciently educated to accept Government inspection of herds and milking sheds. It is certain that any inspection which

ho dairy companies have instituted has entirely failed to have the milk of all suppliers brought in a proper condftion to the factory, and although it is a fact that by the careful ripening of cream and the use of a freezer the but-ter-maker is ablo to turn out a firstclass article, yet it is obvious that milk in a doubtful condition must have a deleterious effect on the manufactured article. Daily people all hope that they arc nearer to a dairy experimental (ration, but as yet there are no signs to justify the hope." The President referred to fthe necessity of educating farmers by recording experiments taken by agricultural and pastoral societies. He mentioned that exports had reached nineteen millions, and revenue nearly eigh* and a half millions. There was reason to expect more remunerative prices for produce than ruled some few

iyears ago, even if they did not keep up to tho present level. It wis possible with good land laws to break in many millions of acres of virgin land. There was also room for expansion' in the" export of wool. Half-bred wool was still • in wonderful demand, and any country which grew the wool well must be higlily remunerative, as this class cr New Zealand wool seemed to have an elasticity which was not procurable in any other country in the world. The conference decided that efforts should be made to secure simultaneous poisoning for rabbits and small birds throughout various districts, and that the Government should lie urged to take more active measures in dealing with rabbits in unoccupied and native lands j and that the Government should be urged to cope with the spread of noxious weeds in all unoccupied nativo and railway lands. Discussion took place on a motion' asking the Department of Agriculture u open registers in the important centres of the colony in which entire horses euuld be registered after having boen examined by a Government veterinary surgeon, and found free from hereditary disease The motion was restricted to i draught horses, and carried. A motion ■ making it compulsory for draught stallions to pass a test was negatived. A i motion to tax all stallions was also re- . jected. The question of the Governent being asked to frame regulations Inch would prevent inferior stud stock eing sent from the colony was referred o a committee. A' resolution was passd urging the Government to encourage the extension of the telephone system in rural districts, and a deputation appointed to waito on the Postmaßter(jeneral. Satisfaction was expressed at the abolition of the Sheep Tax. Th» present date for making sheep returns/ April 30, was approved. A motion was brought forward directing that all A. and J?. Associations should insert a clause in their rules prohibiting trimming of sheep. On being amended, directing that judges disqualify trimmed sheep, it was negatived. It was decided to ask the Government to establish experimental farms in Canterbury, Otago and Southland.