AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 1 June 1894, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

«. _ The conference of delegates from agricultural and pastoral associations and farmers' clubs was opened at Wellington on Tuesday, 57 delegates being present, representing 35 associations.. Mr H. Overton, of Canterbury, who acted as chairman of the last conference, welcomed the degelates, explaining that the secretary (Mr M. Murphy) had collected information showing that potatoes could not be grown in the Colony at such prices as would make a farina industry profitable. He warned them that they must face keen competition in the frozen meat trade from Australia, but we need fear neither the exhaustion of our supply nor deterioration of quality. The butter industry was now under a cloud, but he had reason to believe that a satifactory milking machine would be shortly invented, which would do a good deal towards improving it. He thought that grain would have to be grown in future more for consumption upon the land by stock than for exportation, At the conclusion of the address Mr George Beetham was elected chairman of the conference, and he proceeded to discuss the best means of putting a stop to sheep and cattle-stealing. The following were the most important resolutions passed : — SEEEP AND CATTLE-STEALING. ({ That in view of the large revenue derived from the taxation of stock, the Government be requested to appoint a competent person, in such centres as may be considered necessary, for the purpose of detecting any sheep or cattle-stealing. That, in the opinion of this conference, the prevalence of sheep and cattle-stealing in various parts of the Colony is jo serious that the special attention of the Minister for Justice should be called to the urgent necessity of taking immediate steps to detect and punish the offenders, and that a suggestion be made to the Stock department to offer rewards for the convicton of sheep and cattle thieves out of the funds to be raised by a special tax on sheep." " That a pamphlet be published by the registrar of each sheep district of all brands and earmarks on his register, such

pamphlet to be procurable at a small cost at the various post offices in the colony.' THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. At the afternoon sitting the discussion of matters affecting the dairy industry was opened by Mr Henry Reynolds, of the Waikato Farmer's Club, who read a paper on the subject, and moved—" That steps betaken by this conference to agree upon the best method for the exportation of butter with a view of assisting the Government in the amendments now being made in the Dairy Industries Act." In the course of his paper he said the subject was one of vital importance to every" individual in the colony, and if the successful and profitable manufacture and sale of dairy produce were not solved in a satisfactory manner it would mean serious results, which would be reflected through the whole commurity. He referred to the difficulties which he himself had some years ago experienced in getting Home buyers to look at New Zealand butter, but said that the rule was that if a customer could only be pursuaded to buy it once he almost invariably returned for more. Now a single large shipment from New Zealand or Australia would by its arrival or delay raise gr lower the, whole tone of the market throughout Great Britain, and dealers found that to please their customers they were bound to keep colonial butter. All competent unbiassed judges pronounced the best colonial butter equal to the best Danish, and some of our brands were better. The reason why the Danish product fetched better prices was that Danish producers regulated the ■ prices from Denmark, and the wholo of their output was controlled by one committee. ]Sew Zealanders must do something on the same lines. Manufacturers should form an association to fix the minimum price, and ask agents to store should such prices not be realised. If the Gove.mment wished to keep up the credit of colony, there should be made stringent laws as to careful and correct grading and branding of produce ; and upon arrival in England it should again be examined and reported upon by a competent man, who would keep the Government posted up with the latest information upon everything connected with the subject. He ur«pd the provision of cool storage on coastal steamers, and as regards New Zealand cheese said it was carefully looked for at home by those .who understood it. He. had positive information that Enclish dealers bought New Zealand cheese at 54s and repacked it to the colony at 78s as best Cheddar. Some of our cheese was too dry and crumbly for British tastes, and often not sufficiently mild in flavour. From four years' personal experience and information gathered from all available sources he was convinced that they must spnd to London and distribute from there. They were not in a position to pay three or four middlemen. If there waa any profit they must try and let it return to the Colony. He emphasised, the need for concerted action in regard to the saie of colonial produce, and in conclusion urged that the question ot milk supply should be looked into, suggesting that dairy inspectors should give it their attention. Mr Buchanan, M.H.R. (Wairarapa), said it was evident Mr Reynolds was possessed of a fund of knowledge in regard the industry, ana he thought the whole question should be relegated to a committee to discuss details, when full advantage could be taken of Mr Reynold's experience. He added that New Zealand had to depend too much on its climate in connection with the dairy industry, and consequently had been snvprised by Victorians, who had gone in for the latest refrigerating and chilling machinery. Mr Reynolds' motion was put and carried . Mr J. Grigs; (Canterbury) moved — " That the conference elect a committee to consider the matter of preparation of dairy produce for export, with a view to obtain the assistance of the Government hy .imendmGiitß in the Dairy Industries Act and ctherwise, the committee to consist of Messrs Henderson, Pattullo, |Barnett, Allen, Buchanan, Henry and Richard Reynolds, and the mover." — The motion was carried nnanimously, RAILWAY CHARCES. On the question of railway charges on stock, Mr Richard Reynolds (Waikato) moved — " That the Railway Commissioners bs approached with the view of obtaining a material reduction in the charges for carrying stock, and also agricultural produce, lime, and manures ; pointing out to them that such a course would materially increase the traffic on their lines." In the course of the discussion Mr 0. Pharazyn (Wellington) said that having had experience as a director of the Wellington. Manawatn Railway Company he did not think it possible to reduce the tariff as a whole, but the commissioners might perhaps make some modification. After an exhaustive discussion the motion was carried unanimously. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Railway Commissioners to urge them to give effect to the foregoing resolution, and also, to being under their notice the necessity for more conveniently arranged trucks for the transit of sheep. FRTJF, Tf SSES FOR JUDGES. The Railway Commissioners having been communicated with in regard to granting free passes on railways for judges to shows, the sercstary read a reply to the effect that the commissioners could not see their way to grant the concession, as if they did other societies would demand the same. After some discussion it was decided— v That the commissioners be again approached with a view to obtaining free passes over railway lines to all judges attending A. and P. shows." NOXIOUS WEEDS. On the motion of Mr Wilson (Manawatu), it was decided that the Government be asked to prepare a bill dealing with the noxious weeds question, and that this conference offer such suggestions as are deemed desirable for the perfecting of such bill. Mr M. Murphy (Christchurch) read an interesting paper on the subject, and a lengthy discussion on the whole question took place, it being eventually left to the committee to assist in drawing up a bill, the draft to be sent to all A. and P. associations aed local bodies in the colony. At 5.30 p.m. the conference adjourned till 10 o'clock next morning.

Mr J. D. Ritchie, Secretary for Agriculture, was present at the conference during the day as a representative of the Department of Agriculture