COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 6

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. (Pm United Pbww Association.) WELLINGTON, July 20. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture was continued today. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Stuckey (Dannevirke) —“That an official list of judges should be compiled so that the whole of the judges for the respective classes shall be under one heading in lieu of the existing list, which sets out the judges as recommended by each assooiation.” It was also resolved —“That the compilation of the list of judges shall be revised.” Mr Smith (Maaterton) moved, and it was agreed—“ That the conference draw the attention of the Minister of Railways to the unfair action of the Railway Department regarding the excessive charges on dead meat as against live stock.” The following remits were considered 1 : That the Government bo urged" to rake the necessary precautions to prevent _ the introduction of cattle tick into Taranaki by way of Mokauu That considerable numbers of' cattle at the present time arc being brought by this route, thereby causing anxiety in the district. That tlio Government be urged to immediately take similar steps to those taken in the United States for the extermination in New Zealand of the cattle tick plague from the Wairarapa and East Coast. The first was withdrawn, the mover stating that Dr C. J. Reakes (Director of Agriculture) had reassured them that the department was taking every precaution. In regard to the second, Dr Reakes said that while iho department, was doing all it could to bring the tick under control, he would like to state that the tick ira New Zealand was not a carrier of disease like those in the United States and Australia The remit was adopted. The following remits were carried:— . That the Agricultural Department be asked to confer with the freezing companies in carrying out a practical test for frozen moat, especially beef. That the Government be requested to call in all brands and earmarks which have boom duplicated, and make a necessary reallotment. That in the opinion of this conference the mating breeder of all stock shall be considered the breeder. That the attention of the Board of Agriculture be drawn to the necessity of conducting an extensive experiment in the scientific breeding of animals, and that they consider and discuss this question with the Department of Agriculture with the idea of starting such on experiment. That considering the number of inferior rams offered for sale bv stud brokers at ram fairs and in other directions, the different Flock Book Committees be requested to review the position and take definite action'. That it bo a recommendation to all agricultural and pastoral associations that any sheep disqualified through being unfairly treated by an exhibitor shall be branded with a distinguishing mark, and be disqualified for life. That seed cleaners should be compelled to destroy or render innocuous all offal containing noxious and offensive seeds. A discussion arose on a remit from Banks Peninsula, that the annual conference be held in the South Island and North Island alternately. The South Island members expressed the opinion that by holding the conference continually iir the North Island possibly accounted for the south not being represented so fully as it might have been. Mr L. Watson (Oxford) urged that the South Island should have its turn. On being put to the vote the result was even. The chairman said that ho would, if asked to exorcise the casting vote, decide against such a drastic alteration, but ho suggested that the matter should be referred to the executive, with a strong rccommendaiion to give careful consideration. This course was adopted. . The election of members of the executive resulted as follows:—South Island: Messrs W. D. Tike, F. Watson, Hon. A. F. Hawke. North Island: Messrs I). M‘Grcgor. G. L. Marshall, 11. Y. Lethbridge. Mr 15. F. Duthie 'Dunedin) was elected to the vacancy caused by the elevation of Mr J. D. Hall to tiio presidency.