AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. TO-DAY'S SITTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 17, 20 July 1905, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. TO-DAY'S SITTING.

The third day's sitting of the Agricultural Conference, began at 10 o'clock this morning in the Museum Buildings. Mr. J. G. Wilson presided, and there was again " a large attendance. Tho Chairman, -in answer to * enquiries, said he thought tho Conference might conclude tomorrow., Mr. C. J. Reakes, M.R.C.V.S. (Assist-ant-Chief Veterinarian) read a paper on "Equine Hereditary Unsoundness," during tho course of which ho said that, taking . ifcb.e colony as ,a whole, the state of its _ stallions was far from satisfactory. Hereditary unsoundness existed to a large extent, and if farmers -would only use common sSnee in the selection of their stallions, tha trouble could be greatly diminished. Our ordinary farmers, however, were so casual in their methods, that tho only means of coping with the troublo was by legislation. Stallions which were _, unsound should bo prohibited from travcl- _ ling the colony. The Ciairman > expressed the opinion that' Mr., Reakes's paper should,, be, issued bj the Department as a leaflet. <• ' > • - It was resolved, on division: "That the Xiovernment be .asked to give premiums to the owners of approved pure thoroughbred and pure draught stallions, to en1 abie_ stock owners to travel their horses in certain districts and servo a certain number of approved mares at a reduced • -fee." During tho discussion upon this .. motion several delegates protested agaiiist the Government being askod for contribu- 1 tionsj - They tLbught -Associai-iona should provide premiums. Mr. Ritchie (Secretary .of the Agricultural Department) said that there were 611- thoroughbred > horses in . 2few Zealand, 1351 draught stallions, and 3000' other entires. There should be a compulsory examination of stallions, fmthe purpose of cutting out the large number, of weeds. , i • Resolved : • "That the Department of .Agriculture be requested to* open an official register in various centres of the colony, in which entires shown to bo free from hereditary disease, after exanunation "by a duly qualified-^veterinary surgeon,' ' coijld .be," entered on. payment of a reasonable fee, a certificate of soundness to be issued/to the owners of the animals so " passed.," Mr.~ Birch moved as an,amendment : "That , this Conference, urge, the Government to again introduce a culnpulsory Stud Bill, as that is the only moans of--prteventing the continued spread of hereditary disease," but tbirwas thrown, cut on the voices.