CATTLE BREEDING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 5

CATTLE BREEDING.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS AT THE HAGUE. NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTED. {From Odk Own Coimiespondent.) LONDON, September 7. An International Congress on Cattle Breeding was held at Schcveninger, near The Hague, from August 20 until September 5. The Dutch Government had the holding of this congress under consideration for over 12 months and had issued invitations to various countries inviting them to participate in the deliberations. Thirty-five nations were represented and the total number of delegates was something- in the vicinity of IGO. For nearly all countries in the world stock raising forms one of the most important sources of revenue, and the prosperity of the people is closely connected with the development of animal husbandry. Hence it is not to be wondered at that the Governments of the various agricultural countries were well represented. The prime object, of the congress was to bring together agricultural representatives for the purpose of acquiring an exchange of views and an acquaintance with the methods followed in the various countries, and from this point of view the congress seems to have been signally successful. The Queen of Holland showed deep interest in the congress and was present at one °t the functions arranged in honour of the delegates. H.R.A. Prince Henry of the Netherlands was present at the opening ceremonj, and also at several receptions incidental to an intern atom a 1 gathering of this kind. The congress was officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture, who made a very eloquent speech on the need for fully realising the place that agriculture occupies in the prosperity and well-being of all nations. i Burgomaster of The Hague held a reception in honour of the delegates which was attended, in addition to the international representatives, by many of the prominent families of Holland.

DOMINION’S- REPRESENTATIVE. The High Commissioner for New Zealand appointed Mr R. M'Gillivray (Christchurch) as the official New Zealand, representative. Mr M'Gillivray was also appointed by the congress as one of the special committee ° five to whom was delegated tho task of collecting and arranging available information on bovine tuberculosis. Tho nationalities represented on this committee were; Ron mania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Holland, ancl Spain, and Comte de Villers (Luxembourg) was chairman. , Manv delegates to the congress expressed a desire for active scientific research and general investigation of breeding problem, as they contended that there had not been any ~reat advance in breeding for many years. The question of animal nutrition was also "one into at considerable length and some important matter was placed before the congress by Professor Mollgaard, of Copenhagen, Professor Isaachscn, of Christiania, and several others. . , The combating of tuberculosis gave rise to much discussion and the speeches of i rofessor Bang, of Copenhagen, and Dr \on Ostertag, of Stuttgart, were considered tiio beat and most important in the section. Delegates were afforded an opportunity ol seeing some of the splendid dairy fi tock ot Holland in the vicinity of Leiden, A"}aterdam, and Rotterdam. At the las.-mentionod nlace they were the guests of ths Burgomaster and councillors of the city. At the Jubilee Stock Show, held at The Ha„ue on September 5 and 6, they were tho guests of the Government. Delegates speak in the very highest terras of the hospitality extended to them by the people of Holland.