H.—2

48

Notices of Motion. Mr. Eobeets gave notice of motion to the following effect: " That, as no disease exists incattls in New Zealand, the Tasmanian Government be requested to allow New Zealand cattle to enter their colony without imposing any term of quarantine." Mr. Lawey gave notice of motion to the following effect: " That this Conference is of opinion that the various Governments of Australasia should take such steps as are necessary to foster and further develop the dairy industries which are, or may be, established in the colonies respectively under their charge." Mr. Boag gave notice of motion to the following effect: " That a Committee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr. Tabart, and Mr. Eitchie, be appointed to draw up the report of the Conference." The Conference adjourned till 9.30 a.m. the next day.

Foueth Day.—Feiday, 28th Octobee, 1892. Present: Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G., and the full Conference. The Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Agriculture, was also present during portion of the proceedings. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Eemoval of Eesteictions on New Zealand Cattle. Mr. Eobeets moved, " That, as no disease exists in cattle in New Zealand, the Tasmanian Government be requested to allow New Zealand cattle to enter their colony without imposing any term of quarantine." He thought the motion required no great discussion. The fact was established that the cattle in New Zealand were free from disease ; and, that being so, it was only fair and reasonable to ask Tasmania to admit them. Any remarks he might wish to make would come better in reply to what Mr. Tabart, or gentlemen from the other colonies, might say. As far as he could ascertain, there was no disease in cattle in New Zealand, and he therefore hoped the motion would be passed. Mr. Boag seconded the motion.—Agreed to unanimously. Eepoet of Conpeeence. Mr. Boag moved, "That a Committee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr. Tabart, and Mr. Eitchie, be appointed to draw up the report of the Conference." Mr. Beydone seconded the motion.—Agreed to. The Daiby Industeies op Austeaeasia. Mr. Lawey moved, "That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable that the various Governments of Australasia should take such steps as will foster and further develop the dairy industries which are or may be established in the colonies under their charge respectively." He would not like it to be inferred or understood that the resolution meant that the Governments were necessarily to give assistance to these dairy establishments in the way of bonuses; because he had always looked upon bonuses as the very worst form of protection. They all knew that the dairy industry was one of the most important in the colony. What he meant was that the various Governments should take such steps as were necessary to popularise the industry by circulating literature on the subject, and teaching it as a science in the country schools. He knew a great deal about the subject, as he had been born in Cheddar, and his early associations had been connected with the milking of cows. In his time the industry was attractive, but in this colony it was not. There was a great difficulty in getting suitable milkers here. The subject, in his opinion, was one of such importance that he thought the Governments of the various colonies where the industry was established, or was about to be established, should do everything in their power to circulate literature having reference to it, and endeavour to popularise the industry. He thought it was the duty of the Government where the industry was under control to see that the produce was properly placed on the London market. He was very glad to see that the dairy produce of New Zealand was making a market for itself in London. Some time ago he had had a letter from Mr. Eeynolds stating that he was getting on remarkably well, especially with butter; and he (Mr. Lawry) felt that the various Governments could do a great deal to foster and popularise the industry. Mr. McNicol seconded the motion. Mr. Eobeets said that, so far as the New Zealand Government and Parliament were concerned, they could not plead guilty to any want of interest and proper action in the direction of fostering the dairy industry. During the last three or four years the Government and the House together had provided suitable means for distributing information. They had sent dairy experts all over the country to give lessons in the different factories of the colony, and in many ways had endeavoured to educate the people employed in the dairy industry; and he thought their efforts had not by any means been followed by want of success. The appointment of Government Instructors had been most useful, and productive of considerable good. Mr. Lawry had made reference to the difficulty of securing milkers being a drawback to the dairy industry, and very rightly so. The occupation was unpopular —unpopular to a large extent through its being too much like hard work. It meant an arduous undertaking to look after a large dairy system. It meant working late and early, Sundays and week-days alike, and it was not surprising that it was looked upon with aversion as an occupation. Mr. Lawry had given him an opportunity to refer to co-operative dairies. He (Mr. Eoberts) was part-owner of 1,500 acres down South set aside for this purpose. At one time the land was a swamp, and it had been reclaimed. They had been cutting up this low land into moderate-sized holdings. As far as practicable they had confined the area on each farm to 100 acres, and these holdings had been fenced off separately. The country being very low, and