THE CHRISTCHURCH CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3125, 26 July 1892, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH CONFERENCE.

Tub Advantages likely to be obtained from tliß conferring together of donates from different centres, who, though residing widely apart, arc, in mutters affecting tho public welfare, moved by a common motive are becoming more and more appreciated. Nut only ia it hoprd that in the multitude ot counsel will be fnr.nd that wisdom necessary t<) clnnse tho best course, but it is also felt that in united action only can be obtained the required strength to carry through, even the most palpably needed rcfonns. We have, before us the report of an important Conference of delegates from Agricultural Societies throughout the ciTony, which was held nt Christchurcn upon May 2fith and 27tb Wβ have also to thank tho Cambridge Farmers Club for an abridged copy of the resolutions which were passed at the conference A similar copy isto be forwarded to M.H.h.s, with tho view of havinej the resolutions carried into effect. At the last meeting of the Cambridge Club, these resolutions were discussed seriatim, and approved of, with the exception of IW 4 and 11, the opinion of the Cub upon the fourth resolution boing that the establishment; of peripatetic dairies would, under the present circumstances, be a useless expense, and the money might be much more advantageously expended in connection with improved arrangements for grading ! 'and supervising the shipment and transport ot onr dairy produce tn foreign markets. With respect to No. 11, doubtless tho Club considered that the sheep tax, which only amounts to two shillings pi'r 100 sheep is not calculated to bear very heavily upon sheep owners. But at the same time ths remarks made at the Oonferenco by the mover of this resolution are very reasonable. Mr T. Mackenzie said: —"He did this becsiuso the reason for which the tax was imposed had passed away, and because it was distinctly a class tax. They all knew that the colony was now enjoying a surplus, and he thought the pastoral industry was entitled to participate in this by the doing away with this tax. The gold duty, ,vhich was, equally with this a class tax had been done away with, and he thought it was only fair that the sheep department should he maintained out of the consolidated revenue." We will refer to other points of the Conference in a future issue.