THE AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4124, 28 May 1892, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Further Important Business,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

Ci Christchurch, May 27, Agricultural Conference resumed this morning, when several new delegates took their seats, After a long discussion regarding the rapidity : with which noxious weeds are spreading throughout tho Colony, it was finally resolved-" That this Conference is of opinion that the Government should in the next session of Parliament introduce a measure to enable local bodies or privato individuals to retard the spread of noxious weeds, especially gorse, briar and Califomian thistles," It was 1 resolved to call the attention of Councils to the necessity of enforcing the provisions of tie Act affeetinp noxious weeds,' After a lengthy discussion it was resolved that Government be asked to furnish the agricultural associations with a return of the amount collected as sheep tax, and how it is expended, On tho motion ofMrT.MoKenziejM.H.R., it was resolved—That m the opinion of this Conference the Bheep tax should be abolished, and the cost of maintaining tho department in an efficient manner should be charged to the consolidated aevsnue. . It was resolved that it is JBJSessary that one or more veterinary surgeons should be appointed at an early date.

The conference decided that the collection of the dog tax should be placed in the hands of the police; tlint quarantine charges should be reduced to a reasonable rate; that the present regulations are so defective that the ol»jeois of quarantine'are rendered nugatory, and that the Canterbury A, and P, Association look into the matter and recommend a fair scale of charges; that in view of the statement of Mr Bitchie, that as soon as he was assured that the Sounds district was free from scab he would take steps to have the Colony declared clear, no further discussion on the subject was necessary; that a better system of registration of ear. marks and brands for sheep be adopted; that the attention of the Government be called to the large amount of sneep stealing in New Zealyd, and that it be asked to at once t&jje remedial measures suoh as offering rewards, eto.; that the Railway Commissioners be asked to reduce the railway charges on stock, agricultural produce and manures, to introduce a better class of sheep and cattle tiucks, and insulated trucks for carrying dairy produce, and to provide better accommodation for trucking sheep at country stations; that a tax of £lO should be imposed on stallions, and £5 on pony stallions under fourteen hands, used for stud purposes; tbat stallions be registered, under a penalty, with the Stock Department, the tax to be distributed among agricultural and pastoral associations in the districts where it is collected, and expended in special prizes in the horse classes; that no stallion be used for stud 'purposes unless" guaranteed 'sound bya qualified veterinary surgeon appointed for the purpose; that a vote of thanks be accorded to the Canterbury Association and especially to the Secretary, Mr Murphy, for compiling herd and stud bopks.