BOARDS OF AGRICULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9020, 5 April 1888, Page 5

BOARDS OF AGRICULTURE.

[by telegraph, own correspondent.] Hamilton, Wednesday. At the meeting called for the purpose of considering the desirableness of establishing an Agricultural Board for Waikato, there were present Messrs. Primrose, W. Hunter, Chepmell, Graham, Ridler, McDonald, Barugh, Brunskill, W. G. Russell, Seddon, and Runciman.

Mr. Primrose occupied the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting. He thought such a Board would be a most useful one. In America such bodies had done much to advance the interest of the agriculturists in that covin try. Having regard to the paucity of attendance he would ask whether they should proceed with the matter. Mr. Seddon moved, " That in the interests of agriculture it is expedient that local boards of agriculture should be established throughout the colony, and that the counties of Waipa, Waikato, Raglan, and Piako, and the Boroughs of Hamilton and Cambridge unite in petitioning Parliament •to pass an Act incorporating the said four counties and the two boroughs in a Board of Agriculture, for their district. Such -board, he thought, . would promote unity of action, and serve to counteract the influence of local jealousies. It would collect statistics and information most useful to farmers. In the United States and in Europe these boards did immense service. We had no local boards watching over agricultural interests in New Zealand. They would be useful in classifying lands suitable for particular crops, such as barley and flax, ana would assist in the profitable settlement of the waste lands of the colony. They would serve as a mouthpiece on such questions as railway reform, freetrade and protection, and a variety of questions. * r ' The resolution was seconded by Mr. W. A. Graham, who spoke strongly in favour of it. No machinery could better promote settlement than such boards. There was no part of the world where more valuable products could be grown than in Waikato, if only the farmers were educated up to their own interests, and the possibilities of their farms. The country districts had not been fairly represented in Parliament since the Public Works scheme was introduced in 1870. It, was their duty to assist in bringing in every possible measure to settle the country. If this board were made a live board, it would represent the best views of the surrounding districts, and they should have power to assist in developing any local industry started for the benefit of the country. It would be a pity to let another session pass by without taking action. , • Mr. J. H. McDonald asked on what basis this board was to be established. He had heard it was to be a taxing machine to foster the sugarbeet industry. If the latter, he would oppose it but if it were to fee a Chamber of Agriculture, like a Chamber of Commerce in a town, he would support it. The Chairman said the basis on which it was proposed to be established would be an after consideration. I

The resolution was then put and carried, Messrs. Seddon, Runciman, Barugh, McDonald, Ridler, and Graham voting for the resolution, and Messrs. Chepmell, Brunskill, and Hunter against. Mr. Chepmell explained that he voted against it because he felt the board would not be kept up without expenditure, and the settlers could stand no further taxation. ■ ■ '

Mr. SedDon then moved, "That the chairmen of the four counties, and the Mayors of the boroughs of Cambridge and Hamilton, and the Chairman of the Waikato Hospital Board, with power to add to their number, be a committee, five to form a quorum, to act in preparing a Bill to lay before Parliament embodying the powers Eecessary to be given to establish local Boards of Agriculture throughout the colony." Mr. J. J. Barugh seconded. Agriculture, he said, must be the chief stay of the colony, which must look to farming not to manufacturing. Farmers wanted all the information they• could get from scientific and from practical men, and this such Boards would afford them.

The resolution was put and carried .unanimously, the Chairman of the Waikato County Council being appointed, the convenor of . the above committee. . . : .*'• '•