AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 179, 31 July 1907, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE

YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS

PROGRESS OF THE BUSINESS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 31. At the Agricultural Conference yesterday a resolution was passed in favour of greater efforts1 being made to keep down small birds, rabbits and noxious weeds, especially on native lands. . Mr Ritchie, Secretary for Agriculture, stated that he believed that rabbits were decreasing. One member agreed that they were decreasing in Otago. Committees have been appointed to go into the questions of the export of inferior stock from New Zealand, and legislation against careless fires. The Government is" to be asked to encourage telephone extension in country districts by subsidising private systems where the Government cannot establish them. The Conference thanked the Government for the abolition of the sheeptax. ' ■'■■■'■ 'i• . ' It was urged that experimental farms should be established in Canterbury and Southland. Mr Clifton, Director of Experimental Stations, said that if any^group of farmers wanted to make experiments with cereals, the Government would provide the necessary experts to supervise. *