THE CHRISTCHURCH CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3136, 20 August 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHRISTCHURCH CONFERENCE.

Rki'brriso again to tlie a:>ovc, we consider ihat one of the moat vbluable discussions at the Conference was that in ".onnection with the proposed establishment of a perfectly-equipped Agricultural Departineut. The sub committee's remarks were as follows: —"It is true that we have a Minister for Agriculture, with a Secretary for Agriculture as well. This, however, is not sufficient for the requirements of the colony. We have only to look to Victoria anil New .South Wales, where it will be seen that the Department of Agriculture is a power for good. They have a staff of practical men at. the head of each department of rural industry. They issue at short intervals journals containing matter of interest to all engaged in rural pursuits, which are of great value, as they contain the results of investigation made by the head of the Department, etc." In view nf the numerous difficulties now con* fronting our own agriculturists, in the form of insect and fungoid pests among c ops, and of obscure, but fatal, diseases among their live stocli, il is easy to conceive wlvit immense benefits might be derived if the proposal were carried into effect. Another important subject was that of having elementary agriculture taught in the Government achools. In the course of their remarks the subcommittee state:—"Few persons will care to dispute the general excellence of our sy.-:oem of national education un to a certain point; but when it is considered that agricultural and pastoral pursuits must for an indefinite period form the chief source of income for the people of New Zealand, it is time that the subject of agriculture should be brought more prominently before the public mind by including it in our general scheme of education —especially so, when it is considered that almost every other civilised nation is doing so, as well as devoting considerable sums in fostering agriculture in all its branches." It was also pointed out that there was no reason why teachers should not qualify themselves for givinu instruction in th : s branch, and also that the Education Boards might arrange so that boys gaining scholarships could tal;e their term at Lincoln College. On the subject of analysis of manures, some interesting particulars were given to show the extent to -which farmers are fleeced, owing to the adulteration of manures ; and regret was expressed that Mr Mackenzie's Bill of last session had been dropped; A very lengthy discussion took place over the subject of noxious weeds, and the difficulties in the way of devising some simple, albeit complete, measure to deal with the evil, were set forth. One of the greatest difficulties in the way of legislation apparently being the fact that vhe Government themselves are planting gorse and broom along the Wairarapa and other railway lines. It is evident that the authorities do not realise the injury which they inflict upon the community by planting these terrible weeds. The proposal to put a tax on stallions was carried by a majority of eight, the voting being 22 for and 14 against. Mr John Grigg remarked that a tax on stallions would not only be in the interests of the horse-breeders, but also the colony in general.