FARMERS IN CONGRESS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 28, 1 August 1907, Page 2

FARMERS IN CONGRESS.

THE AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. I YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The Agricultural Conference continued after tho Post went to press yesterday afternoon, TICK FEVER. Mr. C. J. Reakes, Assistant-Chief Government Veterinarian, gave an address on the disease known in Australia as tick fever. Tho parasites which generato tho disease, ho said, were to bo found all over the world. They preyed principally on cattle, not being harmful to horses and dogs. As to the danger of the tick being introduced into New Zealand) tho quarantine regulations safeguarded stock nnported, but it had ! been suggested that tlio ticks might bo brought in with chaff imported from Queensland. As to oaten chaff, it might not be impossible for the tick to come in with it ; it was a remote contingency But with hay, chaff, and grass there was a risk. It i might bo a slight risk, but was it worth while to take any chances at all? In any case, New Zealand ought to be capablo of producing all the feed required for its live stock, without importing. Mr. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, mentioned that eleven years ago the Queensland authorities said tho tick was never likely to oxtend below Rockhampton. But it had now appeared in New South Wales, a considerable distance below Rockhampton. That showed tho futility of a lot of re-, I gulations to keep out tne tick. It was dangerous for New Zealand to import hay or jrass from districts where tho diseaso was known to exist, ,and they' should take no risks. In America, j where the tick appeared on cultivated land, the paddock was cleaned and kept out of cultivation for a year to get rid of it. In reply to the chairman, Mr. Gilruth said lie considered the importation of hay should be absolutely prohibited, and ho would be inclined to limit chaff too* . When the tick 'appeared, its presence would not be discovered for about a year. In tho courso of discussion, it was pointed out that the tick would travel northwards in the United States through Montana, and into Canada. If tho tick could live through tho cold of Montana, it could certainly flourish in the South Island of New Zealand, MORE REMITS. Mr.. Bunny moved that tho Government be asked to introduce legislation putting an embargo upon any produce imported from Queensland that the Agricultural Department thought was likely to introduce the tick. In seconding, Mr. Jackson urged that tho step should be taken in the interests of the whole colony, although somo dissatisfaction might be expressed in Auckland and the northern districts. Tho motion was carried, and a "vote of thank 3 was accorded Mr. Rcakcs for his paper. It was moved by Ashburton, Wanganui, Egrnont, and Wallace—" That tlie question of setting up special committees to arrange dates for agricultural shows throughout tho colony, cue foi tho North Island and Ono for the South, be considered." It was urged that if dates were thus arranged, various grievances would b6 removed. Sevoral delegates from the north strongly objected to any interference^ with tho existing arrangements for the North Island. Tho motion was also opposed by various South Island delegates, and it was lost. Mr. A. M'Callum (Marlborough) moved — "That the Government bo requested lo bring in such legislation as may bo necessary to give relief from taxation to A. and P. Associations."— Carried. Tho chairman, referred to the need for the improvement of tho grass lands of the colony. In somo areas, whero there had been droughts, tho , grass had seriously deteriorated, and the land was not carrying the- stock that it ought to. A long discussion followed, during which the various varieties of grass were dealt with and appraised, pacßalum and fescue being condemned by most speakers. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. E. Hall — "That, in order to ascertain the views of the farmers in tlio different districts as to what grasses best suited their climato and soil, a circular bo sent out through the A. and P. Societies." — Carried. Tho following Taranaki remit was carried :— " That the Government be asked to introduce legislation to enable A. and P. Societies to become leasing authorities, having similar powero to these under tho Local Bodies Act." It was moved by the Feilding dolegate—" That in all hunters' competitions where horses are required to carry a specified weight, 3uch horses must, in the judge's opinion, be up to that weight to hounds." The motion was lost, an amendment that the matter be left to tho individual societies being carried. Tho question of encouraging young men to learn to judge stock was introduced by Mr. Fleming, on behalf of tho Hon. R. M'Nab. Discussion followed, but no motion was moved.