FARM INTERESTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 579, 6 August 1909, Page 8

FARM INTERESTS.

' EDUCATION AND SHOWS. . • ' 'JUDGES DISCUSSED. ' 1 , EXHIBITS FOR ARGENTINA. TICK AND SPONTANEOUS CENERAi i ' TION. The conference of farmers representing th< > various agricultural and pastoral New Zealand was resumed in the AVellingtoi Chamber "of Commerce room yesterday more ing Mr'D. D.' Macfarlano (Canterbury, • ' prodded, .and m expectation of a discussior on agricultural education, the Minister foi 1 Education, Hon. G. Fowlds, was prwnt. ,' 'Mr. Pattullo (Otago) moved. lhat tin: , Govemniont bo asked to invite schemes for a r better system of ear-marking sheep; and x i that if any proposal submitted soems feasible the samo bo submitted to a, committee of owners before being adopted." , [, Mr. AV iC. Buchanau (AVairar'apa) sec F e-ndod and it was agreed to v , , Agricultural'Eduoation. » ' A naper on agricultural education, prei ■ .^iV««; bury/. Mr. Murphy said the Canterburj [ t Board of . Education was arranging for two 1 instructors to travel and address meetingsloi I , farmers and school children but m the 't echools themselves .nature , study must -be I cairicd on, and a high regard tor tbeunDortance of agriculture encouraged. Mia ' ' £Sd bo done Iv an intelligent arrangement ' without overbading the sjllabus, and pro- ' , vided a scheme satisfied the inspector.there ' was considerable latitude allowed as to the i< time taken up in each subject. The reason <T "hy nature study, horticulture, and inaMial J' , Sing .were not regarded in tie same sml ous hglfc as other subjects was partly because the teachers and inspectors did not recognise their iraportanco, and partly because of the old idea-primary education was intended merely to lead up.to. the secondary school or 'university, it being forgotten that ; ' not one per , cent of primary schoolchildren ' .ever reached the secondary schools. Pmnary V school education was often the only cduca- | '. tiontho remaining 99 per cent, ever got , ' Until agriculture and horticulture were made I , compulsory subjects at tho training colleges I 'he anticipated no improvement. I " ' ■Mγ J. G. "Wilson (BuUs) outlined the t various, methods uow in operation for educatt inc V young and older people, and specially I , mentioned the value or demonstrations at I ivhich experienced farmers gave object les--1 , -sons and lectures, such as that lately given lon Romney sheep by Messrs, Wheeler and * Short and on Lincoln sbeop by Mr. w. *' ' Perry. This should bo extended, as it was ' ' a most valuable phase of the work. < Mr. 'AV. C. Buchanan-, Professor Alexan- ', , der, and others also'spoke , , , i t The Hon. G. Fowlds stated that he looked > ' upon the agricultural societies as co-worker 3 ' with himself for education. He was surf prised, however, to find to-day suqh a strong i , . confidence in compulsion, whioh history had i\, c eliown was not so successful as voluntary acf tion. In many primary schools all was boi ing done, that was possible without over- ! crowding the syllabus Good work, how--1 , ever, could be done by teaching arithmetic in the course of nature study or of school gardens as in tbo old book methods, and it J i was toward this end that present educational methods wore tending. The effort was f ' to interest the child ,in plant and , animal ' i life and to inculcate habits,of observation. Special agricultural classes arranged by the i education boards had not been well attended by those for whom they woro inbut in other wajs rapid, advancca bad been made > In conclusion, ho cordnlly i / approved of a suggestion that Professor Alexander should bo associated with the inspectors at tho conforenco early nest year, r and he had pleasure in inviting him to atf ' Votes of thanks wero passed to tho Minister and Mr. Murphj. ' t ' A motion of Mr. Pcmberton (Canterburv) ■ I "'That it be a recommendation to tho Muf cation Department that rudimentary ,agnf culture be a compulsory subject in tne curinculum of primary schools. Introductory ' ' paper by Mr. M., Murphy"—was earned I ' stock for Argentine Show. ) • , Mr. G. C. Wheeler,(Manawatu) moved.— N "That in vicV of the approaching Aigentino f Show being hold at Buenos Ayres on Juno 1 1 1910, the confluence take united action, \ and lay before the Acting-Pumo Minister tho desirability of tbo Government assisting [ ' breeders, through bleed associations in this Dominion, and also other exhibitors, to ex- ', hibit their stock at .that shon " Ho pointed I ' out that the show was ospected to bo one ; , of tho largct 'and most important in the ' Avorld, ai N d that'it was \ery dosirable that New Zealand,stock should bo repiesented there Under the present shipping arrangements ono could got to Argentina, but could f ■ not got bpek, o\ccpt by going to England. \ Ho thought by, the aid of tho Government ! the shipp'iig sorvico could bs' so irrnngeu } as to meet their requirements. Tins would f be bettei than assisting financially. ! Mr. AV. Perry (Jlasterton) tDcontlcd f ' ' Mn Booth (Fcildinc) tliought that, al--1 though shippprs no doubt would endeavour !" to sell tho stopk they sent at good prices, > yet it would also ho' ad\antagobus to tlio j Dominion to havo our > stock exhibited in ' competition against tho best stock , in tho [ world. . I ' The motuiii wii carried ■ Mr G. C. Whoclpr (Manawatn) moved I "That grounds hold In an A and P Association for tho purpose of an agricultural ' or uintei ihow bo oxonipt from locnl Kites, S and that the Comment be .is'ccd to favour:>l)l7 ronsidor tho proposal "/ ) After dnoussion, the motion'was carried Sato of Show Grounds. ' Mr. Knight (AA'aikato) moved.—"That ', ' Section 7 or tho Agricultural and Pastoial Societies Act, 1908, bo amended to give associations further pouois of dealing with the purchase money of lands sold, by the addition of a clause empomoling them to apply the purchase money leioived in the repayment of any mortgage previously given to cnablo tho purchaso ot land required for tho u purposes of the society *' Ho explained that ' undci present laws money realised on tho 1 sale of land must be rennosted in other land If a society purchased an'aica' larger 1 titan it leijuirod it could not soil a poitiou to pm off iv debt oil the bnlaiico Mr Edwin Hall remarked that the Auckland Association had experienced trouble in this respert. , Mr Popo (Secretary for Agriculture) said 1 ' he was suio tho Government would raise no ! objection to the alteration of the Jaw "on th« lines indicated. , The motion was passed. , ' ; j ' Show JUdge3. ' Mr. Gilkibon (Soiithlana) moved -''That r it is desirable tliat one unilorm set of rules regarding di«iimlincation of exhibitors should be adopted by all nietiopolitan A and 1. '< Associations, and that tbo iollowing bo ! among thoso adopted — "(a) Anj exhibitor or otlior poison lnter--1 fenngwith or using insulting or improper \ language to a judge,~oi to any of.tho officer's ot tho issocialion, in legard to the execution of then dutj. or king guilty of improper ( conduct on the slinw ground, may bo dis-< ' qualified from e\hibitiJig at future shows of 1 the assrciation, and, if a pmc-taker, shall r bs liable to have all his unpaid prize-money ' forfeited, at the discretion of tho Council '> of the Association, whoso decision shall be J final i "f|)> Should any person or firm bo disf quililkd or Misponded by a kindred metroI politin »ssociation, or b> nny other A. and t V Askociation in tho (local) district, the t coiinnl of this associa'ion shall havo ,powoi \ to ondortP such disqualification ui suspenS sion should they seo fit J "(c) Should anj exhibitor, in tho opinion of tho Council, be guiltj of any fraudulent or unfair practice, or any deceit or conceal--1 nient cither in entering or exhibiting stock, all tlio exhibits of such o-shibitoi , shall bo disqualibcrl, and lnsnamo shall not appear in . the oftfiial pnViP-lißt. . ' Cnnte-rlmrj, 'Otago, Amiiri,, M ? nawr/»tu, Wfiikato, and Oxford supported the motion, ', which was earner! without opposition ' A motion of Horoivhenua projpoßed. 'ihaX

-a list of competent judges m , all 1 'stock classes be piepared, and the same bo forwarded to the\eoretaiy of the sociationa, to onablo the committee to choose the judges from the said hat ' In the speeches the importance of societies exeroiswg more care in tho nomination or judges was emphasised The motion was carried Mr W. Perry (Mastorton) moved, pro forma (in the absence of Horowhcnua I "That a judges' judging card be handed to I each judge, nhHi should define the points I that to should be Requested to judge the different classes on '* , , ' / Mr. B Hall (Auckland), seconded pro f °Tho president, Mr Macfarlano (Canterbury), said a wise judge never gave reasons If he were ask«l. to J.l3ge. on jpomte ho wquld ; make his awards first and nil in tho points afterwards to correspond The motion was rejected 1

: /r^Boyatshow^and.?Annual; Conferences, v;^ ;JV that it;, 'had discussed the question of a , Royal, bhpw,;;; ; f.TheStanding.Committee also reported that/ ! it/had ;-appawed;of;':tho. of ;■ Mr.■ 'J; ■-■■«.•■ Wilson .(Bulls), and; : Mr..yJiwen ; ?eampbeliV{Wanganui)f i$ Thiit/foiKthe ; ■ puiv t 'pose of securing action in, tne. general /management of shows, arid so L tha6; any ' shaU be; general,, and to,; /arrange: many;fletam^which atvwould be advantageous io:; secure '.the;, co-operation, or, the -various /societies-'' in matters •• relating; to; -agriculturaV;and'pastoral interests, the.com-; ■nnttee^recbmmend ;: |hat;jthe;vanpus.A; and: P! 'Associationgiin ,e&c>.province slwnld'affili-/ ate for It-he purMse r pf of, VeiJrWeniativeV < Jrpiii^%|se;:societiee,;-.at.'Je.ast' i iimcea <year todiscus^and-sectire. the; varfous.o'bje«>s\onurnerated above. A'lfcloserrelation-. ■Mp^weroi ! found,Mcessary,.the ;yanous ;:vi|kial.":conferenceV-:;'might:.discussvwhelte;. anythmg^woulclvbe-gamed ; ;by;:ha7U)g_.-Wie ■wholok'of■ .the:<A,?and .P./; Associations . fede-. rated in each- island: or vthe whole; of the; so -.that:- the; delegates ■from each: society, ropreisentediat, (;bier.nial : / ?eace ; cou!d''givb:the;vriws>f;liis f asspciation, when ■■ theT question comes # for;.further..con:^ration%t?tlie:ne;xV^hrWftnco T to:he : ;h#; in Wellingtonvabout-July,,-1911;^It: was; fur, :ther:reqbiniriendea' thafetbe -following associa-; T tionsbe:ask'ed:ta>ke stcps.to .-. this ■recommendat'ion, viz.,.,Aac.kland, Mana-, :gputWand; %'f:- Wt V' -^Mj'■ l £vh' ;;;':. ''-'^-■■*■. ,V'The, re'pprf^as/adoptea;;;:.^.;^ -.,■ vA^,-;.... n ; , •v:TKe -'conference-'-iurthor ireshlved, on .the: /motion: of.-.MrV;' Campbell,-that a 'couference !committce: ; be^ct^,;^to/^sist ;<£ Messrs ■- 1 ! HC<illUl)i' t V-'- '"■'■ v' :^l ' : * - w! i "'■ '■■'i'''.' v ! .J ''-'\ ! ''■■",'i■ .*.■■:■"■'.■ "■-. \, ■'■ •^JWti^an^Dr^n^an.DS.-:;:^..;,-.- ; ■;, ; : Nativ«^ner S VWla^^tte;;!oi)nortamt y of: ■ (1) iEither^ocotipyingJthcm P earis;r:Or^^!smsing.pf them, -is detrimental .the .of ahe/., :*f;?P«^;«', delays; gthe^eriidicatum^qf. :fruit;^w^: ! «fflav-4iseaGesi:;a^rds?JrPtectipn: f<>r^ui)er^loiis v 'anaspthe"r -diseaaed/animals, ■ . and /afea ; 'of vunproductwe : I? Mrliuth^o^'p^an|)' : r. ;' :Spcialiismi :^: :' ';'^sj;/'- .■ i ' , -;-.:^ , ■^.■^•■■'■■VO.l-"''■:!,.':'/:/ f, - : ':--;TMm^ion;;Wjw';carned.vj.:,:; ■ ■ Hh'e-Goveriunen'KM? , aslted;tp:enfor_ce;.tho Dip-, of. Jtho 1 like.■ : shcep.; oeab.,,, ■ ; snch ;thmg, as ; ;under:earth;,and. hoayen:^ 1 , : :tiiat'?thef6;r was certainly no spontanePus : goncratio.u- .of.shecp ; tick: Its total eradication coultl.po; doubt, be Ssn^ciently ,»vißtnngent: wore ;taken.r.,Shecp tabk-spent ,M. ■wH6ltf<)f ; itr e -aStprice u onthe ; sheep,;a«d.coukl '.therefore'be /by; curatiyes. rA wq.dip-_ ■ping!' rere for aJ^«^, sliee P^ n «; ■•fertfi-eVtioWind the second,forthe VffW, ] lV:had been ; stated that -the; ;to ■ ;dono by.tic .. Shtefto ; ld.vper. lb'.. :yalue;;of, all i /^ll^^rote|i i ;Thi3;estim a te v .however, wefe'morb';inuirious;.than :■ - sflowed^a^ deposition: i? pa* :pn&dipp&:for:tick-often■e.nabled,.tho sheep to .got' thfoughitp /the next shearing, rektivoly-, but ;the;- same -could ;;iot: be 'fr6m:.-thriying--;VTwo.-dipp l ngs-..for,botli- ! lico tick;'should/, be .where practic- ; (Amuri) :;-;adybcated ;- ; tbe 'akqual!&catiptf,pfvall' tick-infected sheep -exhibitedvdt, shoifs:/:;.;. -..-.,;/ ;.:'•;;../ •:; .;: ••.;, ; : Tiie. motion was carried. ;.._ .■'.. ; , ...y;.. V Mr- ; 'W '.Ci'Buchanan (Wairarapa) .-formr ! a'iiy-moyed-::"That the': conference ty™:™}? considerationi the, advisability of .fixing, .the dafe'/of :dll? showsvthroughout.Jvdw. Zealand ,-. Ke" thought: that'.vif 'a committco could.,;:be, "apyamtcd'tliat'cpiild carry/Oiit;; this, task ,it. mi"ht bo r accomplished':- but:, a. cornmilte.o ;prw e utihg,;ali::,thV;;;socioties : ;;WOU d., be, ;Wo could,.see;.. ; no, clear way,.of : givingretfect .to the.potion.,;, '~-.if Tvas. suggested-:.that;/thp,matter,be. eft till • the'.-proposed federation, of: societies liatl taken; 'the;motion,was/accordingly :witbirawn.,,; : ;;. V ;':> '■;.:■ '.-. ,; ./- ? ' :■ •.;.. v.<''; .*; •■•/ ;■ ;, '' 'i' iSivirf■.:■;/;. ipv-TelepJionos. «■•< : ;.-

Mr 'AV C; : Buclianan CWaixarapa) moved: ''&ai'the\ Government bo" 1 urged to encour'affo' tlioeitoDsion' of-.tho; telephone system : in '■•rural districts "by granting; local authorities or local' residents'/powers; to .establish local 'telephone"::systems; :in-.;centres where ■the Government ca.nnot; undertake ;to; do _so ■ ;He;qUoted .!ocar.and. : rates-to , show'the :excessiye, nature •oP./NevT. ZealandVcha'rges. and-Showed, that;m AusalsoVthovcharges>eT<ynore. reasonable than those of New Zealand;. - He, .deepnbed;. nu-: tuorous anomalies ,iu ■'.the^New^e.aland:. system, and contended that''the .■Departmental 1 brains j.liad' ■ not > {£&', ■piit,:infpvtbe - regulatibns:.soi'as to arrange reasonable nues. _ u.e had -'that/day :interviewed.-..Mr;.-. Logan, ■...bead of :: ,tho • department,. in ■ company; with:;Mr,■ Wilson,: and Eonie.of-.these unsatis : factory . points. , Mr. Logan ■ assured him that-tho Government would, not; insist on tho ■•■ regulation'., which fixed': ; the - distance which: a ; private line, might come toward^ an G: milion .Logan; gave them to understand that;he would prefer private effort to put up; lines to prevent the friction which ioften occurred. But m fcard to reducing the; for the first and £4 each; when .there wore more than two—he wpuld.not promue anv alteration. He (Mr. , Wilson.) came away makiugHhis remark: Logan, you have resisted us, 'but you : haveiit/proved your; case.;''-That, appeared to.bo- -the rposi;t^ :i .Edwin,' r Hali said thaVwhen traveUing recently ho ' found- that great importance was' attached::, in America; and to telephonocomicction,' .and charges. Amounted: to. about Is. per. : week ;C ach. the 1 American;.terms .every.,.settlor ,ui JNeW Zealand, could , have te ephonq communication Hi' as was contended, ■■ the; Government could not provide the money required, ibfen ?he7ifi at' least;;sta n dvakdo::a n d,let the settlers provide the telephones themselves, through-their County Councils-or co-j operative .societies. . ~-,. <'-1:..,,' "'jlr Rutherford (Auckland) was told_ by a recent Atnerioan visitor that m New England! nearly every settlor was. on the telephone Tho exception was to;find;men who were not. Tho private companies erected .the ; line,; and Met tho settlers ..have .them three months on trial; thereafter ;the-cliargt .•was 'a dollara month; ■ ■ y'; *'■"■'' '"■'/'/ ■ Mr. P. M'Gregor (Masterton)- suggested that legislation shpuld.be drafted by. a;subconimittoe to remedy the evils.;;:?,. ■~.,, '• Mr. W.; C. Buchanan, M.P;, replied that '■Mf."Lbgan had already expressed his willing-, 'ness'to'facilitate the provision of telephones etc., but,.-ir.-theJcoflier-ence" desired he would be iileasea to .co-

operate with Mr. Hogg; ..,M.P.,.i and other ■members in furthering such' a Bill'as the committee'niightjaypur..;.-'. ?,;.'■. ~ ! ( '../ ; .'The motion.j'was/eawied.. .'■'■■' ~..;: The : presiaent said' the Hon. T.' : Mackenzie was to bo waited oh next day respecting varir ous matters they'wished to bring before him, and possibly this matter could best bo dealt with in that .way: . ' '_ . ~' •; ■ This was, njp-oed to. ' .:' . ' ■ _ ''i. ' Mr: O'Halloran. ; (Oxford) , moved: "That the Crown should undertake the same responsibilities with regard-to-.the its unleaded reserves and tho control of the noxious woods and vermin thereon as private land ownois" / •■'-.- .:■ /•■' -' . :. ■ Mr Budd (Oxford) seconded. . Mr W C. Buchanan, M.P. ( Wairarapa), said the Crown Suits xlct would need to bo amended before the Crowh could bo compelled to carry out its duties in respect to these matters The Crown could prosecute pnvato setters, but could not itself be prosecuted i The motion was carried , Land Valuation. Air Knight moved a remit of tho Waikato Farmers' Club "Thr.t tho present sjstem ot land valuation is unsatisfactory and needs 'amendment, and that steps should be taken to allow local bodies to appoint valuers to ict ui conjunction with the officers appointed by the Department" Mr Rutherford (Auckland) seconded. Speaking of the undor-valuation of improvements, he said if an owner insured a bmldlnc for half its value, and the Government Valuer put tie value down at half what it was insured foi, the owner would be in a i pecuhar position in the event of the build- \ m lhl WucSn, II.P. (Wairarapa), said the impossibility of a valuer valuing improvemtntslio could not see, such as the cleannc of timber, was ono of tho absurdiSμ of the system. Often however, a man . who had lived long in tho distnet cou dtako proper account of these matters. If they I weie to be taxed at all they should bo taxed i with exactitude t j A delegate How do jon propose to J *Th! y ßuchanan- Tax mo on what I am florth in tho market. Ml Booth (Feildmg) supported. Mr Ei en Campbell (Wanganui) said the advocates of this motion were asking that £86,861,847 north of improvements, now oxempt, should be taxed Hβ opposed tho motion In, instructions issued to valuers 1 ?rpad bv Mr Campbell) a distinct warning ' £«, n«TagainsfuncL-valuation in view of the constant complaints raised m Par ia''ment, m the Assessment Couite and ekewhere on this head. Improvements were defined and consisted of tho unexhausted residue of all work done or money spent on (Feilding) asked how long ago it was when those instructions weio first sent out? Was it onlj sinco tho recent prodW>eved they had been out f °M?°XcSn asked Mr .Campbell if ho had never heard ot valuers boasting of tho largo amount they had added to tho un^mP T d C?m P °bell replied that valuers, }ike other men, « immaculate The motion was carried. i

•■■'• • Mr/'' CuMinghami-;: (Ellesmerc)_ "That ■ the farmer,■'lμ: furnishod with a copy,' merchant 'for tho fee as/already, charged... N : .Itomption: was ~ . ■■;;-.■ giving': farmers, amitheir families better ; facihtiea for -visiting 'the, Government experiment - farms, ithe, Railway Department bo'Sl to C ketß,at.hoMay ; sion faros.-to members :ot A. and I..,Assoc dticS, on .of;.tho. secretary s afcing that :tbe.; journey, is f undertaken.,for. ment bo'asked to. r«u special trains :at^ie ;! most' interesting :timov-or. the: year,, with : a ■Viwi f to giving-:faraers better facilities . of, visiting-■fteso'faniis.to. see) the,work ; : :that, .bury):' : Dp you .suggest •,.tho . Governmoni should supply free lunclieonsi/.tob r-: ....;,•■ ; Mr/ Bootli: [M,- sir. .• :. ~,/ ....-.■■'. v ,Tho chairman :-'They ask;that at Auckland I , .understaud. . ,i|;, ■,-■• ■ \ ::'<■''' '•' '. 7? ; ' ,vMn-'Burrell;: Tliey : asking. : '.(Laughter.) : ; ''•-. -'"y- : ■.;ft;,- V '.; Tho motion was passetL, ';,;•;. .a : jj ';■ ■-■■■':.'; '-An'Otago 'motion 'proposed;.: "That .allexhibits consigned :to : a show ■should,:, without any certificates, bo earned at quarter T&tes, aiidthat all such exhibits or-part: thereof if Returned' to.original,;sending';statiori-.withm a monthV'.be also.,charged. quarter .rate, the '.returning::stock to: b6 'corisigried by th<>' association' at whose - show , -, the . stock was . ex-hibiteyv-.Avh6.-will--,bo.irosponsiblo,-io;v.t^p,..llail-:, way . Department , , .that'pnly.,:tlie. original oxhib'its or part thereof. aro.returned.and. that tho Minister, for. Railways;, be. - .asked to give .effect 7 'to ' this, proposal. "V ;'\' .'." ... ■' .'•.'' :': Mr'.'Edwin:'ml) '(secretary: Auckland As- | sociation), and-Mr.: Macfarlarie' (Canterbury) ttistifi(d ; to the 'irritation..:caused'/,by ;tue existing 'regulations. '■: ■ .''. ". ';,;" .'■, ■"•; \ .■•■' '<■:. The raotionVwas carried. >/\,* i ;;:,•.:■•;.' North Otago; remit:• "That the confer-; once urge on the.Government 1 the'i'iiecessity' .of conveying Valuable 'sheep to 'shows, etc.,in H wagons; instead of''the'. J, wagons used at presont"A-was..car,ried.', i r '-.r , - ! . ■..','• : . v ■A Southland., remit,;' was':, carried: .."That the Raihvay Department /be , to , ' carry freo of : extra, charge. , suph f<aed,-. .buckets ;-" and • .other appliances'as ■may'.'bo necessary--,for. Supplying stock-proceeding."to, , and' .from ag , - :ricttltural' shows ■:'■ 'with- -food .'and: wa'ter,j so long as thes'e; v arei carried ..in the same truck as' the exhibits.V, y.': ,'..;;,:.;.'■•..•.'■; ~ Colonel ■Chalfey/(Amuri).; moved: .V "That tliis conferanoo recognises "■■that , some system of .universalVtraining.'-is , ' uerfessary ; for ' tht :defence of the Dpininioii." .Hβ declared , that the' most, apathetic p'eoplp .in, regard', to .•y.o]-. unteering. were , the:, farmers'; ''v. ■'■.' '..'''■ ■-■ .The motion'was carried. ''..'.' ■~,.".:"! /'■;.::■ '■'■■■y ,-':' ; . bondiuolon.ir '■• ■ '.

.'■' The conference,'concluded '..with , .votes'-of thanks to the Agricultural Department;'.'the president remarking that v the^officiali papers,' etc:, road at the < conference,' showed that tlio Department' possessed ■; very - competent officers. : (Applause;).-, '■■.._.' Mr. F. S. Pope (Secretary: for Agriculture) briefly; replied.- ' ■■'.■'■'■' ■ ■':' .-.■"■ r■ : ' : It was announced that the:next conference would be held two years, hence,: and Otago. would have , the honour of. nominating the chairman. ;■).. '■■.:' ■'. ■''■' '■■■ ':■■•■ ' .'; . . '•' - _■... Proposing a' vote of 'thanks to the chairman, ; Mr. Macfarlane,' the;:ex-chainnan, Mr./ J. : G. Wilson, and ,to, the secretary, MrEdwin Hall, Colonel Chaffey','■ remarked that throughout this successful conference there had not' been an\angry,bldr'stnick. - _ president, replying, , expressed his. indebtedness to the. excellent-assistance of th'e secretary (Mr. : Hall), and: also to Mr. Wlspnl"-;.''■. •.".■ i.- : ""-; ' : ' '.''''■';■'.' ■. '.'.•■ .-, '■'.'■;'.' rThe Minister also replied, and assured the conference that, in ; the pfficera: of the Department they had a'body of'most able ,and zealous men, and; they could rely on hiniself and the Government in doing everything possible to afisist : the industry.- .'.'