N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19234, 26 July 1924, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. DAIRY SCHOOL AND LABORATORY. NEED FOR RESEARCH WORK EMPHASISED. (Feb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 26. The.dominion conference of the Farmers’ Union to-day heard an address on the activities of the dairy divison of the De. partmont of Agriculture, delivered by Mi Vv Singleton, director of the division. It was agreed that the Government bo urged to establish a dairy school and laboratory, with a view to the carrying on of research work, and the tuition ot Dairy factory , managers and assistants in connection therewith. It was also resolved that the Govern tnenl oo urged to have brought into force the regulations which have boon drafted and approved under the Dalrv Industry Amendment Act, with a view to arriving at a uniform method of reading the Babcock test. It was decided that the Government b» requested to set aside a sum, with a view to experimenting on the beat and mosi. effective moans of eradicating gorse, an offer to bo widely advertised of a substantial reward for the discovery of some specific which can be applied at a reasonable cost, whereby the spread of these and other noxious weeds may be combated and growth already existing destroyed. It wa s resolved that the Government be recommended to pass the Bill proposed by (he Agricultural Department provided that provision is inserted to ensure that the purchaser is supplied on the analysis certificate with a statement of the origin of the materials as set out in section 3, sub-section i, paragraph C, of the proposed Bill. A committee was appointed to give evidence before a committee of the House. A motion was carried urging the Government to introduce legislation giving power for the setting up of boards for the erauica<.;on and prevention of the spread of blackberry. li, was resolved that the Government bo H*ked 1 o pass a Bill protecting the farmers against impure and sterile seeds: that the Agricultural Implement and Sales Act should be repealed. Professor Pc ran (Victoria College) outlined the course of agricultural education proposed to bo given at Victoria College; and Dr Rcakcs (of (he Department ot Agriculture) and Mr Cockaynn (Director of the Fields Division) outlined the assistance and information being given by the department to farmers in connection witn various agricultural operations. Remits were carried recommending that the basis of the election of members to the University Senate and the University College Councils be broadened so as to make provision for the representation ot agriculture. That efforts be made to have the training work being carried on at Ruakura and other experimental farms extended. That tho Education Department be asked to at once systematise agricultural instruction from primary schools right _ to the university, and that the matricultaion examination be amended accordingly. Dr Roakes said in regard to cattle tick and foot-and-mouth diseas® that the department had under consideration the taking of further precautionary measures. The following officers were elected: President, Mr Poison; vice-presidents—-Messrs Murnoy (Otago), Duxfield (Auckland), Matheson (Eketahuna). North Island Advisory Committee.— Messrs Ross (Auckland). Marshall (Marton), Livingston (Dannovirke). South Island Advisory Committee. - Messrs Cameron (North Otago), Dickie (Southland). Mulholland (Canterbury). Mr Chadwick (Dannevirke) was elected treasurer.