DOMINION FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 124, 28 May 1925, Page 12

DOMINION FARMERS.

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The first annual conference of the Royal Agricultural Association was held this evening. In welcoming delegates, the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. \V. Xosworthy, congratulated the Hon. J. G. Coates on his selection as Prime Minster, .savin;; that as Mr. Coatcs was a farmer he was sure he could look to him for all the support he was entitle! In. The conference was taking over the functions of the. Council of Agriculture. It was the farmers' Parliament, and its recommendations would receive full consideration by the Government, and would as far as possible be met. An excess of exports over imports was necessary, said .Mr. Xosworthy, to ensure the development of tlie Dominion, and he warned the producers therefore that production railßt be maintained to the full. Every million pounds that went out of the country to buy wheat but it meant less employment in Xew Zealand in growing wheat, milling, etc, and Now Zealand might easily find itself on the. wrong side iif the ledger, with imports exceeding exports. As Minister of Finance as well as Minister of Agriculture he was greatly interested in these matters, as it was bis duty as Finance Minister to balance tlie national accounts and show a margin on the right side of the ledger. lie Imped therefore the Dominion would lie self-supporting. As Minister of Finance be promised them a f3OO subsidy to tlie Royal ShowIn his presidential address Mr. Perry stressed the Minister's note of warning as tn the need for keeping up production find maintaining an excess of exports Mr. J. Hewitt (Mangamaire) moved a recommendation thnt the 102(! Royal Show be held at Talmerston Xorth. Mr. S. Hodge (Auckland) moved as an amendment, that the show be held at Auckland, which was carried. Remits were passed urging upon the Government, the serious position regarding the cattle tick pest in the North Island and that more drastic steps should he eradicate sheep lice from Xcw Zealand. The report showed the membership to be SO4. Twenty-four associations had affiliated, hut as there are 05 associations in the Dominion it was hoped that many more would link tip. The balance-sheet showed an excess in receipts of £447. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. W. Perry (Masterton). Mr. J. Deans, president of tlie Christchurch society, automatically becomes vice-president. Council: Xorth Island, Messrs. 0. J. Hawken. M.P.: 11. Lethbridge, E. D. McLennan, W. Park. South Island, Messrs. R. E. Alexander, tho Hon. A. Hawke, J. Johnson, C. Orbell.