AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11123, 16 January 1899, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

DISCUSSION AS TO TRADE . DEVELOPMENT. Deceived January 14, 9.15 a.m. Melbourne, Saturday. The conference of Ministers of Agriculture decided that Mr Geddes's scheme for the distributfon of Australian produce in England was not acceptable, but that steps should immediately be taken to secure better methods of handling,' storing, and distributing Australian products in Europe, and that with this object in view a representative should be despatched to England to ' make inquiries. It was decided that the present time was inopportune for making any joint arrangement as to a reduction in the ocean freights, but that Sir Taverner, who was making arrangements for new Victorian contracts, should keep in view the possibility of also making arrangements beneficial to the other colonies. It was also decided that the proposals submitted for the opening of direct trade between Australia and Manchoster were not acceptable, as it would mean that the Governments interested would have to pay the whole co3t of developing the new trade. The officer to be appointed in connection with the food distribution scheme will be deputed to inquire into the matter. Resolutions were carried in favor of developing the trade with South Africa, uniform quarantine regulations, and a reduction in freight on imported stud stock. The conference approved the New South "Wales Draft Brand Bill, and recommend its adoption as far as possible in the other colonies. The conference has closed.