NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 86

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Fibst Dat. ©ISCUSSION ON IMPORTANT FARM-

ING QUESTIONS.

Tb« Agricultural Conference opened Dn Tuesday morning in the Board Room at the Agricultural Hall Buildings. Mr W 6. Buchanan, retiring chairman, took the chair shortly after 10 o'clock, and the following delegates were present :— Messrs R. -t)ick and E. Hall (Auckland), Messrs C. (Reid and J Studholme, jun. (Ashburton), Messrs W. C. Buchanan and W. E. Bidwell !(Carterton), Dr Levinge and Mr D. D. (Macfarlane (Canterbury), Messrs J. Henderson and W. F. M. Buckley (Ellesmere), Mr J. Waiks (Egmont and Hawera), Messrs SL. Murdoch and G. Milnes (Gore), Messrs fWheelex, J. G. Wilson, and F. Moore 'IMasterton), Messrs R. J. Bell and D'Arcy ibhaytor (Marlborough), Mr J. Stevenson (Rangiora), Mr J. S. Holmes (North Otago), Messrs J. Holmes and A. F. Hawke (Southland), Mr C. George (Taranaki), Mr W. 'Coleman (Nelson), Messrs John Roberts, jC.M.G^ J. Gow, and P. Pattullo (Otago), Mr G. H. Stewart (Tapanui). Messrs J. and D. M'l»aren <Tmaru), Messrs ?. W Blair and D. Manson (Taieri;, Mr if. Tough (Tokomariro), Messrs R. Craijr knd J. Hose (Waitahuna), Mr J. Robertton (Tuapeka).

THH BETIBIKG PRESIDENT'S ADDEESS.

Mr W. C. Buchanan (the retiring president) said he had occupied the chair at the last conference at Wellington two years •go, and would, as customary, endeavour to refer to some of the eubjects dealt with then and some of the results that had 'flowed from the business then transacted. The attendance at last conference was most gratifying, 30 associations and Farmers' Clubs being represented by 42 delegates. Two and a-half days were occupied in Sealing with 61 eubjects placed on the order paper. Several valuable papers were read, though, unfortunately, time did not permit Df the discussions that should have followed on their reading. He hoped there would be more time available for discussion on the present occasion, when the order paper was not bo extensive as at last conference. 'Among the resolutions then passed was one railing the attention of the Railway Department to the heavy loss annually sustained by producers through want of sufficient rolling stodk. Very many instances Were given of these losses, and a deputation •waited on the Minister of Railways to represent the views of the conference. Important additions liad been made to the rolling stock, largely through the influence of the conference, but still greater efforts were required from the Railway Department to cope with the increasing produce furnished by the settlers of New Zealand. In his own part of the colony they had been much hampered in the carriage of live etock. He hoped the conference would take this matter seriously in hand, and urge the ftovernment to make further efforts in this 'direction. A resolution was dealt with at last conference urging that steps should be •taken to obtain an additional market for New Zealand produce in South Africa. As » result he believed tho Government had nppointed a commissioner, who had reached South Africa; but he (the speaker) had been surprised that this gentleman had been spending so much of his time in the Home Country. New Zealand was already ropreisonted by a paid commissioner in England, and his presence would ha%e been much more useful m South Africa or elsewhere. The Government had also been making endeavours to establish a direct line of steamers to South Africa, but from some causes he was unable to explain the contract with the particular line of steamers did not seem to be completed, and they wore consequently at a loss through being unable to get their produce through to South Africa. The evergreen subject of noxious weeds had also been dealt with. It wai, veiy gratifying to see that the legislature took the resolutions of the conference as a bask of an act placed upon the Statute Book. But the feeling was very strong in his district that the act had not been administered with sufficient \igour. A resolution had also been put before the conference to curtail tho powers of rabbit inspectors, which after being fully discussed was negatived, and he thought rightly so. Tho result, of the administration of the act ns it then stood on the Statute Book were, at all events in the North Island, most satisfactory indeed. lie ventured to say there was scarcely a property in the North Island to-day that carried a sheep less from the presence of rabbits, and he and other lettlers attributed that satisfactory state of affairs to the administration of the act before it was amended. Since its amendment, what had happened? Endeavour »fter endeavour by the inspectors to obtain sonvictiom against rattlers who refu*^ 1 to

keep down rabbits had been futile, owing to the overwhelming evidence brought against them. Parliament, instead of recognising the experience of the delegates, had gone exactly the other way, and passed an amendment that had taken away a great deal of the powers of inspectors. Another resolution was dealt with, with a view to encouraging tree-planting in New Zealand, and urging tho Government to place information at the disposal of settlers as to the most suitable kinds of trees for the different soils and climates, of the colony. The Government had been taking some steps to plant trees in both islands, but prior to this a very important matter had been neglected. Scarcely any steps had been taken to make good the destruction of native timber that had been going on for years, and he hoped 1 that in the future the Government would i place more money at the disposal of the Agricultural Department for this important J purpose. Coming to the general condition j of tho colony and it.s vaiious industries, he thought that at present the outlook might on thp whole be considered very satisfactory indeed, when compared with the position unfortunately occupied by their fellow settlers over in Australia, whore the tbs*e- through continued jear-- ■** drouglit ' had been so disastrous. It w.n= <,the true that p. year or to ago it seemed a^ i r one of th.eir main industries — the jjroiviiifc of \,ool — j was to become almost uni:>roducih c, but ' there had been a turn in the tide, and the ! outlook as regarded wool priep^ might be j described as hopeful. Turning to the dairy ! industry, it was most gratifying to 're the ' important strides made with'ir the last few year*. Prices had bnen mo-! r r, -^factory. and, esj.ccially in the North Island and in the bush districts, dairy factories had been jnultiplying with great rapidity. He thought the prediction that the dairy industry would become the Jeading industry of the colony was in a fSir way of being j fulfilled. As to the prices of frozen meat, I grain, tallow, flax, and other important : itorns of produce, the position might be fairly described as very satisfactory. In ' Canterbury especially the export of sheep had been well kept up. and the prices for the last year or two had kept a very satisfactory level. They should not, however, lull themselves into a false security. They had formidable competitors, especially in the Argentine, which to-day exported more frozen mutton than Australia and New Zealand put together. Of course, he excluded lamb. New Zealand in the past had thought it had a monopoly of the export of lamb, but serious competition from the Argentine might be fairly expected, as last year they had made a start there by exporting 70,000 carcases, and there was no reason why they should not go ahead as far as in the export of mutton and beef. In the export of beef they had overshadowed New Zealand altogether.- In dairy produce the Argentine had made albo an important commencement, and even frozen Siberia was coming into serious competition with New Zealand in the dairy industry. In these lands they had cheap land and labour, and it behoved New Zealandor3 to make use of tho latest inventions and to follow the example of that wonderful little country^lDeninark, where by means of education -"firm" combination among the country settlers they had secured a position for their country that should be the admiration of the world. Before concluding, he would like to make a few personal references. Everyone present regretted the absence of Mr Thomas Brydonc. without whom an Otago gathering seemed strange. Nearly 20 years ago he was the pioneer in the frozen meat industry, and had b^en i always ready to take a foremost position in anything that -would advance New Zealand generally. All would ioin in wishing him a pleasant time at Home, and a speedy return. He had also to refer to the lamented death of Mr John Deans, whose name had been a household word, not only in Canterbury, but throughout the whole colony, and who bad always worthily filled every post in which he could make himself useful to his fellow settler^ He would be al&o failing in his duty did he not refer to the death of Mr John fJngs:, a man of wondprful energy, who had Wt his mark on all he undertook. With the above remaiks he would conclude by asking the meeting to appoint a chairman to the present conference. — (Applause.) ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Dr Lev mere moved, and Mr Hawke seconded — " That Mr John Roberts be elected chairman." and the motion was carried with acclamation. THE rHUKMAX'h Am>R£s-.. The Chairman, after returning thanks fur his election, said that Mr Biydone should have occupied the position, but he was absent from the colony. Ho (Mr Robert'), on beha'* of tho A. and P. Association of Otago, welcomed the delegates to Dun edin, and trusted that pleasure and profit would be derived from the conference, and froo^lho display of exhibit* at the Winter show. Having referred to the loesc= the colony had sustained hv the death of, the

Hon. J. M'Kenzie, Mr John Grifjfy, and Mr Jokn Deans, the Chairman went on to say : .Since the last conference met, two years ago, the occupiers of the coil have had rather varied experience. We have during this interval seen wheat at about its lowest price, as well as almost at its hif»he*t. At the present time satisfactory prices for sound wheat are current, but unfortunately few are able to take advantage of them. Tho principal wheat-prcducing districts have had the misfortune of going through one of the most disastrous harvests ever experienced, and the result has been that a verylarge proportion of the crop has been seriously damaged. Prices at present current for damaged grain are very good, but I fear that when the bulk of it comes to be threshed and put on the market the demand for fowls' feed will not bo sufficient to maintain these values. Southland, which is the chief producer of oats ha", on the wl ole, had a favourable season both for the growth and harvesting of this grain, and prices still continue on a remunerative basin. South Africa has been the chief market for oats during the past two years, but now that the war has endod wo must look for a considerable shiinkage in the demand from that quarter. Frozen mutton and lamb have also had a somewhat varied experience, and the very high values of 18 months ago were not long sustained. Last season's shipments of mutton and lamb proved disastrous to those who made them, and as a consequence a considerable shrinkage lias taken place this year in the returns <=heen-;n-ower3 have derived from their surplus ptoek. Prices are now, however, fairly ■-•rod. ami they only seem low when com-i>.ii-ed with the inflated values of last year. A considerable quantity of beef hos been frozen for export during the past two years, which has resulted, more especially in the North Island, in a considerable appreciation in the price of cattle It is very satisfactory to know that the quality of our beef is so well reported on by the London tradesmen, and has been realising most featigfactory prices of late. For many years New Zealand has been exporting a fair quantity of most excellent cheese, and' of late years a very substantial increase in the export of butter has taken place. It is gratifying to know that the quality of the butter is for the most part very fine, and in the London market it brings within 2s per cwt or so of the best Danish. The importance of the dairy industry to the '■mall farmer its very great, ai- it enables him to make a return from his land, which ho cannot equal by any other produce. For tho ,Biicce c pful occupation of land in small holdings dairying is a necessity, and, although the work connected with it is distinctly arduous, still the producer hae the satisfaction of 'knowing that he cannot onlylive with a considerable amount of comfort, but that he is able to lay by some portion of his earnings every year. During the past Id years an enormous increase in the production of crossbred wool has taken place in South America, and during that time the proportion of production of tins class has increased from 25 to 75 per cent. This, in a great measure, accounts for the very srrious diop in prices for the coarser classes of crossbred wools during the pa«t two years. Personally, I am of opinion that these must continue to bo largplv grown in the North Island of tin- < olony, and although much can be done in breeding a, sheep which yields a finer quality than that of the Lincoln, yet the chief consideration for tho fheepbreeder must b<; to grow a cheep which will thrne and do well on ins country. On a great deal of the richer lands of the colony it ii quitf impossible to carry merino or first cross she p, as they are so liable to be affected by foot-rot and fcour. I think there can be no doubt that the sheep which is found to thrive best on the country must ultimately be the shei-p which is moist profitable to grow, and eheepbreeders must look to an u\erage of years for securing a fair return for their wool. Merino and the finer classes of halfbred >\ool, aio selling well at present, and the grower of them is securing a cati^f.v tory return. One is accustomed to hear much as to w hat is to happen to the New Zealand farmer fiom the competition of the Argentine and its neighbouring Slates and although we have suffered and will no doubt continue to <-uffcr from tins competition, st. ll I think we will be able to hold our own. It mu-t not be forgotten that in tho Argentine flock-ownors have to contend with severe epidemic^ of lung worm, which have swept off in a single season a* many as 10,000 000 hheep. 1 ep« a great probability of the rich lands of the River Plato be.iig always troubled with this scourge, and, although we ha\ r e here a con?idcrable amount of the same evil, it cannot eiist with us to the tame extent that it doc 3 with our South American competitors. And, a;am, we have not to contend with the horde- of locusts which frequently Msit the Argentine and devour all pasturage and crops before them, nor are we subject to the terrible floods which gometun^a visit

the flat rich lands of the River Plate. I may just mention that the losa by floods in the early part of last year are reported ad having been the cause of a loss of 12,000,000 sheep, or about 9 per cent, of the whole. The enormous premium which gold *o long commanded in the Argentine was a thing which enabled the grower of wool there to produce very cheaply, seeing that he waa paying in currency for his wages, etc., a cost equal to only about 8s in the £ paid by the New Zealand grower. This premium has of late greatly decreased, and the last quotation was 130 per cont., so that the Argentine wool-growers' cost of production is steadily approaching that of our own. This is a most hopeful matter, and in it I see the handicap under which the New Zealand farmer is labouring as compared with the Argentine- being steadily lessened. I see no reason why New Zealand should not continue to hold the lead it now has for the production of the best quality of frozen mutton, beef, and lamb, and also of butter and cheese, on the London market. We must not, however, sit down and think thafc no further effort is required on our part to retain thajb .supremacy. We must be constantly on the waich

to see that we keep the standard of quality at- tho highest,, feeling quite 6ure that any laxity in this respect will produce disastrous j results. . . . .1 will content myself by givmg the following figures, which will doubtless interest you: — Wool shows a decrease, of £776,558; frozen meat a decrease of £5452 ; preserved meat a decrease of £5670 ; seeds a decrease of £24.733 ; cheese a decrease of £58,891;— £871,304. Flax shows 1 an increase of £17,186 ; grain an increase > of £79,287; potatoes an increase of £65,148; butter an increase of £193,064;— £354.685. Showing a net decrease of £516,619. Returns of sheep show an increase of 877,90* head ; cattle, 105,104 head ; horses, 13,353 head. Swine show a decrease of 26,951 head. —(Applause.) HOUHS OF SITTIKG. The Chairman said that, unfortunately, the committee had not been able to arrange for the work to go on continuously. There | would be the opening of the show on Wednesday and the Coronation on Thursday. It was proposed that they should tit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day ; from 2.30 to 5.50, and again in the evening at 8 o'clock. On the next morning (Wednesday) they would sit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and meet again from 3. 30 to 5.30. He hoped they would conclude their business on Friday. A TROrOSAL FEOM THE FAHMEHS' UNION. The Chairman intimated that a letter had been received from the executive of the Fanners' Union suggesting that the two bodies should hold a joint conference. The secretary had not felt justified in agreeing to the request, and as the order paper indicated, the matter could be discussed at a later stage. He might also mention that tho Government had agreed to subsidise the cost of printing the report of the conference to the extent of £50.

RAILWAY MATTEES. Mr G. Wheeler (Manawatu) moved tl.e following resolution on behalf of the society he represented: — " (1) That the question of providing better arrangements by running Fpecial trains for the transmission of stock to and from agricultural shows by the Railway Department, and to minimise the number of shuntings, together w ith cheaper rates, and a less cumbrous form for obtaining refunds, etc., be considered. (2) That the. Minister of Railways be approached with a view to simplifying the regulations now in force as to transit of etock to and from showf-. (3) The following be a recommendation to the Mininer of Railways for insertion in the railway tariff: 'That any stock entered for exhibition at an agricultural show or shows, and reconsigned from show to show (at different stations), and returned to the original station within a month of the holding of the show where the stock was lnf-t exhibited, shall 1-e entitled to the exulting concessions as per railway tar.ff ' " In doing fo in: said lie could hardly speak to tho fir^t. Detausc the Manawatu Society had no ground for complaint on the question of special ti"? in-. It wa-> only fan to a department whiih they found a great deal of fault with to s a y tliut they were w<*ll provided for in the matter of ppecial trains As to tho lowering of the rate, he thought that would havi> the support of all, and beyond the refund for unsold stock there was practically no concession. Mr Kettle (Hawke's Bay) seconded the motion. Mr Buckley thought that the question of fpeoial trains waa a most important ono, and gave an instance where he was sending stock down to the Dunedin show, a distance of 200 miles, and they were 24 hours en the* road. The bulk of the time was lost at Oamaru and Timaru. Mr Stuckey thought that a committee sbaulil be «tnnoin(ed to interview the general i

manager for railways, who was anxious to" meet any reasonable demands by the settlers. After a good deal of discussion, during which" it was decided to defer setting up a j committee, the motion, with the exception ' of clause 2, asking for a reduction in tho rates, was carried. MORE EOLLTNG STOCK WANTED. Mr Buchanan (Carterton) moved — " That more railway rolling stock for agricultural , produce and live stock be provided." In speaking to the question he said it had been i pretty well threshed out at last conference, but the question was of the utmost import- | anco, and the strongest representations j should be made to the Government about it. ! Mr J. G. Wilson (Manawatu) seconded the ; motion, and suggested that the Government should be urged to have- the sheep and cattle trucks cleaned out, as their condition , was generally a disgrace to the Railway Department. The motion was carried unanimously. CONCESSIONS FOB JTJDGES. Mr Whoe-ler proposed the following: — " (1) That certified judges at agricultural shows be granted free railway passes *o and from t.he t A. and P. shows at which they are judging-.'

(2) That the Union Steam Ship Company be asked to grant the same concessions to certified A. and P. show judges as conceded to> commercial travellers — namely, 10 per cent.re.bate off the usual fare." The motion was seconded by Mr J. Holms (Southland), and caused a good deal of discussion. Several members thought they wore asking the Government to concede too much. On being put, the first was declared carried on tho voices, and the second was carried unanimously. RATES OX STCD STOCK. Mr D. D. Macfarlane (Canterbury) moved — " That tho conference considers the extraordinary anomaly existing in regard to the disparity of rates charged for transmission of stud stock by the Railway Department, which at the present time are very mucli greater than for stock of ordinary quality, although the railway accepts no responsibility, and is put to no greater expense." Mr Murdoch (Gore) seconded the motion, which was eventually carried. Whilo discussing the rates on ordinary stock, the following resolutions were also passed unanimously: — (1) "That the conference be asked to consider the advisability of approaching the Union Steam Ship Company with the view of inducing them to reduce the freight on stock carried to and from shows " ; (2) " That a reduction in the charge for railage of sheep, especially in fat and store sheep, carried to and from markets ; also a reduction in the charge between single and double-deck waggons.'' On the motion of Mr M'Laren it was also resolved— " That the Minister of Railways be respectfully urged to provide better facilities for the transmission of stock by his department from one district to another ; such facilities to consist of ppecial stock: trains when required, and provision, being made for these special stock trains to run through to their

destinations without the delays at way stations that take place under existing railway methods, such detentions being, in the opinion of this conference-, unnecessary and very injurious to tho stock." WEIGIIIXG TtULWAY TKTJCK3. Mr Henderson (Ellesmere) moved — " Thafc the Railway Department be requested t o weigh trucks oftener, and furnish a copy of the weights, both to consignees and consignor*" The mover stated that difficulties) frequently arose through disputes as to the weight of goods, and it was desjrable that farmers should know the exact weight of tho truck. Mr Stuckey seconded the motion. Mr Dick (Auckland* pointed out that thero was a great difference in the weight of a wet truck as compared with a dry one. Mr Ilawko said the practice in Southland was to tare the truck as soon as it waa unloaded, and that the only satisfactory way of dealing with the question would bo to n<-k the department to make this rule general. The motion was eventually carried, and made to include. Mr Hawko's suggestion. fVRKUGE OF rmUX-FIPES. Mr J. G. WiKon mo^ed— "That it is desi. able that the Minister of Railways be approached with a view of getting drainpipes put on the same basis as lime as to freight.' Mr n. Overton seconded the motion^ which wa^ carried uniti.imoufly. Tho conference then adjourned for lunchj Afteuxoox Sitting. The conference resumed at 2.30 p.m., Mp Roberts presiding. The Chairman intimated that he had omitted to mention that the committees of ! tho Fernhill and Otago Clubs placed their rooms at the disposal of the delegates while they were in Dunedin, and would be pleased if they would make use of them; also, that the Otago A. and P. Society desired their 1 presence at Loach at 1.45. pan. next dor ai

iihe Otago Club. It was also proposed that delegates should visit the deposits of rock phosphates at Clarendon. Mr J. Studholme, jun., moved— "That the Government be urged to encourage farmers to erect private gTain sheds at country- railway stations by charging only the maintenance of siding and 5 per cent, interest on tlio cost of siding, such interest charge to include sinking fund." Speaking to the motion, he contended that the matter -was much more important to farmers than that of concessions on freight. It was of the first importance to farmers to get their produce under safe cover, but the conditions to be complied with by any private individual were such as to discourage ham erecting a private grain shed at all. There was an initial expenditure of some £400, ana an annual charge of some £4-7. If the very reasonable request they were asking for were granted it would not put the Government to any expense. Mr Wilson, in seconding tlie resolutionsaid that in his district the County Council ran a tramway through the centre of a large grain district in connection -with the railway. They also built a large shed entirely of iron on concrete foundations at a cost of £175. The saving effected in one year was estimated to have covered the cost of erection. -Mr Reid (Ashburtoa) epoke in support 01 the resolution. Mr Hawke (Southland) foresaw a difficulty in that merchants and others who had already paid the initial cost of putting in Jt .siding might ask for a refund if the farmers got any concession. .Mr Studholme thought the farmers were more entitled to consideration than those who might be regarded as middlemen. The motion was then put and carried. TAXING AND INSPECTION OF STALLIONS. The Chairman said that the resolutions on the order paper dealing with tbe above might be postponed till the next morning, at that members could have an opportunity of going through the draft of the Stud Bill, which had just been distributed among them. Mr Ritchie, who was present, would perhaps explain some of the provisions of the bill, and the discussion could then be adjourned. Mr J. D. Ritchie said the subject was of great importance, and he was pleased to see bo many associations taking it up. He Lad suggested to the Minister that the bill should be submitted to the conference for their consideration. The Government had Teceived a number of good suggestions in regard to the Noxious Weeds Bill, and they would be glad to accept any feasible recommendations in regard to the Stud Bill. Me Ritchie then proceeded to deal in detail ■with the provisions of the bill. PAYMENT OF VETEBIXARY SCBGEONS. Mr Buchanan (Carterton) moved — " That the Government veterinary surgeons be more liberally paid." In doing so he said the colony hal lost a great many good men in the past because they were inadequately paid. Heavy expenses were incurred in bringing these men to the colony, and as fioon as they gained some colonial experience and began to ha of value they found it to their advantage to go elsewhere. Mr Dick (Auckland) seconded the. motion. Mr J. G. Wilson (Manawatu) thought there should be some classification of these officers, with prospects of promotion, so that the younger men would have some•thing to work up to. At present they were on fixed salaries, with very little prospect of improving their positions. Mr Ritchie pointed out that it was practically agreed upon that these men would get an increase this year. A scheme was being drawn up, under which the best men would be required to go round the colony and give practical demonstrations. Mr Stuckey said that the motion should be made to include other officers cf the sea-vice, and _§aid that the colony had lost several gooudairy experts from the same cause. Mr Murdoch opposed the motion, and lield that they were interfering too much with Government departments. The Chairman said that after Mr Ritchie's explanation, perhaps Mr Buchanan would ccc his way to withdraw his motion. Mr Ritchie further remarked that to havp m veterinary surgeon in every district to meet every case would require an immense staff, and would perhaps interfere with private practice. The Government had fcefore them a proposal to extend the fccope of this section of the department. The motion, with the words '"and other experts," was then put and carried. UX3OTTND BCLLS. Dr Truby King moved — ' That the conference be requested to urge the Government to take measures to prevent the galo at auction or otherwise of unsound bulls Speaking to the motion, he said he did &o on. behalf of his brother, Mr Newton King, of TaranaSd. The object of the proposal was to stop the sale of tuberculous animals, and go prevent disaster to a man who might i»e starting a herd. It was a question worthy of consideration whether the motion ishoiUd include cows as well. Unfortunately there was a human tendency for a man, he found a bull to be unsound, to treat it like an unsound dredging share, end try to get rid of it. Perhaps it would bo better to seek to amend the Stock Act by inserting a provision which would render «. sale null and void if the animal was found to be suffering from disease within 14 days after the purchase was made. Dr 3*.in-g then gave instances which had come under his personal notice, and laid stre-s on the importance of the quostion. Mr Ritchie said Mr Newton King had brought it under his notice that quite a trade was done in bulls that were non-calf-gctters in his district, and some steps should be taken to prevent the farmers from being victimised by those who had a profitless beast to dispose of.

Mr Mundell said that in his, district the inspectors went round t'-.c s-aloyards, and condemned tuberculous or otherwise disea=ed animals, and they were destroyed. Mr ytudholme held that the stock inspector was not always qualified, any nioro than the buyer or seller, to say whether or not an animal was tuberculous, and there was> all the more necessity that this should be clone by qualified veterinary surgeons.

The Chairman said that perhaps Mr t.ilTuth would. explain why owners of bulL at Home would not allow their bull? to bo leoted before purchase.

Mr Gilruth said that the poople at Home would npt admit that their herdb ifn 1 tuberculous. At the Birmingham show last year * -very large percentage of the animals were tubercular, and the owneis would not hear of their being tested. — (Laughter ) Mr Murdoch asked what protection the ■vendor was to have? Possibly .1 healthy bull might be sold, and returned a diseased animal in a fortnight. Mr (Jilruth explained that, as far a<tuberculosis waa concerned, it would not

animal must have had the disease prior to that date. Mr C. Reid thought that show animals should be inspected, and no prizes awarded to diseased animals. Dr King having replied, the motion was put to the conference in this form — " That this conference recommends to the Government that an amendment of the Stock Act be introduced providing that if any bull sold by auction or otherwise proves, on examination by an inspector under the Stock Act, made withiu 14 days of the date of sale, to be suffering from any contagious disease such sale be null and void " v The motion was affirmed by 22 votes to 8. ARItT BEJIOFKTS. Mr J. G. Wilson moved— " That the Imperial Government be approached with the object of appointing a buyer of cavalry horses, such buyer to attend the various shows and to act as judge. That horses eligible for such purpose be admitted with a small entrance fee. That such officer or buyer shall class all such exhibits as follow? — light and heavy cavalry, and those suitable for artillery purposes." He said that the question was discussed by I.is society | some months ago, when it was of much j more importance. Mr Chamberlain had since intimated that the War Office did not intend to purchase any more remounts for the present. Possibly, under the circumetancea, the motion should be withdrawn. Further consideration was deferred. BABBITS. Mr D. D. Macfar'ane (Canterbury) moved — " That this conference views with alarm the increase of rabbits in certain districts of the colony, and considers that I more stringent methods should be emI ployed where rabbits are on the increase ; ; that in the opinion of this conference some of the methods employed in certain parts of the colony are more likely to increase rather than exterminate the pest." Speakine to the question, he said the strongest indictment would be found in the Agricultural Department's report dealing with the export of rabbits. The increase for tho last four ypars in frozen rabbit 3 from the colony was 4,0G4,105. The increase of rabbitskins was 2,227,403. In certain parts of the colony there had been decreases, as follows : —From Wellington. 142,224 ; Picton, 93,000; Lyttelton, 15,000. The position was summed up by the report referred to thus that the pest was being energeti1 cally dealt with north of the Waitaki, while south of the Waitaki, from where most of the rabbits were exported, it was not decreasing to any appreciable extent. It was a matter of grave importance to settlers in Canterbury, where the pest had been kept in check with great difficulty; but no fence could be put across the Southern Alps to keep them back. It might be necessary to put down the export trade altogether in the interests of the colony. Under the amended act the inspectors found it almost impossible to get a conviction -against a settler who failed to destroy his rabbit 3. Mr Buchaoan seconded the motion, and spoke strongly in support of it. Mr Mundell thought there was great cause for alprm, and that the- conference should pass the motion. Mr Milnes (Gore) said that since thp export trade in rabbits started they had not been troubled with the pest. Of course, the rough country would take ""long-er to clear, but in South Otago they were not nearly as bad as they were a few years ago. Mr Murdoch also Eaid emphatically that, in his experience, trapping was sufficient to keep the rabbits down. Mr P. Pattullo quoted returns to show that in the past two year 3in Otago and Southland the export of rabbit? had decreased by 20 per cent. He had no sympathy with rabbit-farming, but his experience went to show that different measures had to be taken in different districts. It was undoubtedly a fact that if poisoning was continued too long the rabbits became " poison-shy," and would not take it. Where good men carried on trappiup with poisoning to follow, hf> thought the pe°t could be kept down. "",< ■t^ - * ~ Second Dat. The conference resumed at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning, Mr John Robert*, C.M.G., presiding. Tho Chairman made feeling reference to the illness of his Majesty the King, and expressed the hope that better neus would f»oon come to hand. The Chairman then moved — "That the conference desire to place on record their extreme regret in the loss which they have sustained in the lamented decease of Mr John Deans, of Riccarton, Canterbury Mr De-am wa,s a persistent breeder of good pedigree stock ; he took an active part in the conduct of our herd and stud books aud , in the establishment of the '" New Zt uland Flock Book " ; lie wap also an ardent i*upporter of our shows, aud Ins kindly and unostentatious manner endeared him to all with whom ho cauie in contact; and that a copy of thii resolution be forwarded t" i Mrs Deans." The motion was adopted by the conference unanimously. THE STUD BILL "iXO RKOI>TBATIOX OF PTALI.KIVS. Mr Stuckey moved — '"That the Department of Agriculture be requested to open an official register in various, centres, of tlie colony in which entires shown to be free from hereditary disease after examination by duly qualified veterinary surgeons could be entered on payment of a small fee. a certificate of soundness to be issued to tho owner of the animal passed." In doing =o, he referred to the large number of unsound hordes vi the colony, aud this was shown when remount* were being purchased here. 'Ihey ought to do everything possible to keep the horse 3of the colony in as sound a condition as possible. If the bill were passed it would not tome into forco for 12 month*, and he would like to see ■■oßietliinpdono as soon as possible. He wu« not m favour of taxing stallions beyond a small fee for examination. Mr Dick, in seconding the motion, said the subject had been discus-txl ai overy conference for the last 10 year^. He iioped that they would make an effort to " lay " the ghp<-t this year, and even if the measure, were not pa-s-ed this vea>r they might do -cmetlmig Ung'hle to show that reform vvaneeded

M> Wil!ism3 =aid the Ha«kc'= Bay hroo-dei- believed in y compultoiy o\arainatiou, and in deference to the wishes of the FLiuke'-* Bay breeders, he thought a clause should be ii, eluded a-king for uu annual examination Ho had i-noun c a.v s where horses tra\i'lWl iv a. diilr ot and covered marcs :>t £1 cr £1 10-, v. ith a gvucintep As they all l:i,c\r, v could not po--ihlv he worth anyone* while lo biccd Uji.i.^ foi the stud at that finc^

j Mr Buckley moved — "That this confer- ' ence does not approve of the Stud Bill brought down by the Government. *' It was too harsh, and tended to harass horse1 owners. The department had got hold of ■ the wrong end of the stick. The only way of improving the breed of horses was to offer some inducement, and hold out a helping hand. At present it did not pay to travel stallions, and, not only that, but the fees the farmers had to pay were too high. The only way of assisting breeders satisfactorily was by some system of premium?. The system was in vogue in England, where it had been found the only satisfactory way, and he did not think it was worth while discussing the bill, clause by clause. Mr Manson seconded the amendment, and agreed that the premium system was the best means of bringing good horses out. Mr Coleman said he had known in Nelj son horses to travel for 7s 6d a mare. He I thought that by taxing or licensing stallions the breed of horses would be improved. Mr J. G. Wilson approved of Mr Buckley's system of premiums H-e thought Mr Stuckey's suggestion, if carried out, might have a very useful effect. Mr Stevenson thought it a pity to oppose 1 the bill in its entirety, and it wat only by 1 legislation that anything would be accomI plished. On the whole, he thought the bill a very fair one, and v as clause 15 showed, | the private owner would not be taxed. Further it was only proposed to deal with horses three years old or under, so that if a man's liorsp was found to be unsound it might be gelded. The act would not apply to old horses. 1 Mr Buchanan said he could not give his 1 support to the bill, because, in several of | its provisions, it went toe far altogether. | In the Old Country this question had been considered for many years. As they all knew, other countries wentJ to England to improve | their breeds of stock, md yet it had not bee-n found necessary to pass such a drastic law as this. If the conference accepted Mr Buckley's amendment they would be moving? on bound lines. Mr Ritchie .said he must admit to being the father of the bill, which was practically on the lines laid down by Mr Buckley at I last ronferrnce. Th» matter of the tax was immaterial so long as the horss was licensed. The bill proposed that two independent persons should go round with (he veterina/y mrgeon3 to examine the horses. If every horso travelling in the country was to get a premium, where wats the money to come from Mr Buckley said a premium would induce a man to keep *ound hor=e<;. Mr Ritchie f-aid that it would be an awkward rosition to put the department in to gi\e one man a premium and not another. Mr Gilruth »aid he honed that the conferI once would discuss the bill. Quoting from the report of the department, he instanced a case where one of his best officers examined 103 horses for the Sixth Contingent, and rejected 73 from causes which might all be- termed " hereditarily unfouiicl." He could not see that a system of j premiums would rsroveiit unsound horses from being used. Everyone in this country thought he. knew a sound horse, and 90 per cent, did not. Mr Buckley, in defence of the premium system, said it wa3 ne%-er intended to give it to every horse, but to the best horse in the district By instituting a system of premiums neople could get a good horse at a reduced fee. £5 5s vvaa too much to pay fc r a draught horse., and £4 4s to £5 5s was too rnuc'i for a blood horse The Chairman then put Mr Buckley's motion, and it was rejected by 17 \otes to 7. The conference then proceeded to diecuss the bill clause by clause. Mr Buchanan, moved — " That clau3e 4, providing for a board of examiners, bo deleted.' The motion, on being seconded, evoked a great deal of discussion. Mr Gilruth a,sked the conference, even if they obiected to this board, to leave in a board of some kind. It was too much to expect one man to do the work, as he would have his life badgered out. They had had enough trouble in rejecting contingent horses, and It would be infinitely worse when they came to dealing- with horses worth hundreds of pound* No man would take it unless he was given enough to retire on at the end of the year — (laughter), — or enough to maintain his widow. He would not take on the work at £1000 a year, and certainly nonf of the veterinary officers at £250 would do it. After some further discussion, Mr Mundell moved — " That the- question of unsoundness b$ solely decided by a veterinary board. " Mr Rose seconded the amendment. On bein-c; put to the conference, clause 4 was unanimously rejected, and thi3 carried witli ir thp rejection of all the clauses up to 9. dealing with the constitution of the board. Mr Muiidell's amendment was then cai ried On the motion of Mr Macfarlane, seconded by Mr Buckley, the provision in clause 30 for an rnmial fe© of £5 was altered to £2. Clause 11 wa3 made to r°ad that horses shall ho " free from hereditary un«ound-n<-->s." jntl tho words " in o\i»rj- wav fit for stud purposes " were deleted. Tlip. remaining clauses wre approved wtlifiut altprnhon Mr .^rtickr-v then moved — '"That the Aerrir ultural Denartm"nt. before placing the lull before the Hou-e. refer the bill to <he> moing (Uibs, to crive them an rnportunity of making any rpoomrnendation they might dfMie as to its effect on thoroughbred" Mr Colo-man .seconded the motion, vhicli wajt earned Mr Ritchie expressed hinin^lf as very p'f»a«ed at tlip reception of tho bill He was perfectly- satisfied with the provisions in c'au'e beincf s-truck out, and it left the whole matter -till more in the hands of the department. Mr Stuckov'-- original motion -was then put and carried. Mr Buckles- then moved — ''That with thp object of improving the various breeds of horses in the colony the Government l>f urged to inntitute' a system of premiums for approved stallions to travel tho vanous di---tru t« to servo maip at a limited fro" Mr Hall hProivled tho motion, and a good deal (-f di-(Hi'=sion en>up(l. r lnr-fly as to whether tho pr«ninim should be distributed by the A. and P. association-, or not. Mr Ritcliic expre-sp-d the opinion that tho monoy ought to be distributed by the Go | vernmnnt, aud to be- allocated to the reppe-c-tive dii-tiict- accoidmg to the number of in irp-. The motion vv a« then put and carriej. S>f\Ll. BTEDS NriSWfE. Mr n Overtoil moved-^" That the Government be asked to introduce ft bill

making it compulsory for local bodies to deal with the small-birds nuisance. " and in doing so said this was one of the most tiresome and vexatkms troubles the farmer had to contend with. The difficulty at present was that, however one district might persevere in fighting the difficulty, another district did nothing. A good deal might be done if the unemployed were to take up the matter They might earn good wages at it. He should be sorry to see the bill on the subject passed as laid down at present.

Mr D. M'Laren (Timaru) seconded the motion. Outside the rabbits, there was no such other pest as small birds in the colony. He would like to see it made compulsory for all landowners, as well as lecal bodies, to take steps to effect an improvement. He would suggest the Government be asked to offer a fee or reward for a better method of destroying the pest. Mr Studholme suppoited the bill. Mr W. C. Buchanan said unnecessary opposition to the b II should be a\oided. The same remedy as had been found effective in the rabbit nuisance in the North Island might also prove satisfactory in this case. He referred to using the natural enemy.

Mr -Stevenson supported the motion, and also the bill prepared by Mr Ritchie. He felt the only way to suppress the nuisance was by a bill of this sort.

Mr Coleman said £50 had been spent last year in his districc (Xekon) on buying birds' eggs, and apparently with no effect.

Mr Kirk, in giving statistics, allowing onethird for natural deaths, showed that with regard to breeding, starting with 11 pairs, at the end of a year these had increased to 121 pairs, and at the end of the second year to 161,051 pairs. The insect food of the sparrows did not come out at more than 3a per tent He had faii? at home about the matter that would frighten all present The matter was as serious a« any disease affecting their flocke or herds

Mr Williams said he was not quite clear what birds were included in the nuisance. The blackbird and thrush did more harm, in the Hawke's Bay district than the sparrow and linnet. If the bill were passed it would cause all settlers to denude their properties of shelter trees and buslr. He was in sympathy with the motion, but thought that the matter should be made optional in some way.

Mr Stuckey said he was in sympathy with the grain-growers, but «ot with the bill. The small hire's did a great deal of good also. They picked up detrimental seeds and caterpillars that would prove very injurious.

Mr Overtoil pointed out that the caterpillar nad never done so much injury in Canterbury as last year, when there had never been more small birds. Thp motion was then put and earned. Aftern'OO-V Sittixg. The conference resumed at 3.30, when consideration of the draft bill re the birds nnisauce was gone on with.

Mr Buchanan objectctl to clause 10 of the bill, as too indiscriminate. It would not do, as it suggested, that an inspector should have power to come and spend a lot of money, say, on pastoral land not

injured at all, and o^inpel ' »ny lccsV - jwthority to refund that money. He -noved / that the clause be struck out. Mr MacFarlane seconded the motion. Mr Ritchie said the striking out of tin clause would upset the bill altogether. There must be an insistence on the compliance of local authorities. Simultaneous action wa« necessary. Mr Waiks thought discretion should he left entirely with the Government as far as the compulsion of local authorities was concerned. Mr Robertson considered the matter ehould be handed over altogether to the Government to take very necessary measures. Mr Overton said there was no likelihood of the Government enforcing the law where the birds were not a nuisance. What the clause did provide for was tbe case of a negligent council, where the farmers were all anxious for an improvement. Mr Stevenson said local bodies had had the power for years to cope with the nuisance, and as a result it had increased. Mr Wilson baid it was very hard to put bush farmers to a lot of expense with regard tc putting down the birds when they did them no real harm. . Mr Buchanan suggested that instead of the words "any local authority" the words " any local authority other than a Road Board or County Council " be used. Mr Wheeler seconded this, but on being put to the meeting the suggestion was negatived. Mr Wilson then moved an amendment, which was lost. The motion was then put to the meeting and lost, and the clause approved as printed. Clause 11. providing that if an injurious bird hatched its young within a radius of 10 chains of a residence, the occupier was liable to a penalty, unless he could prove that he had taken reasonable steps to prevent such occurrence, was next discussed. On being put to the meeting, tho majority were against the clause, which was accordingly expunged. The remaining clauses of the bill were approved v Mr Stuckey having obtained a recommitttal of the bill, moved that the bill be confined to the North Island. Mr Buchanan seconded this, stating that, the South Island felt the necessity of the bill, and would secure it next session, if io were limited as proposed. Otherwise ifc would be opposed in the North Island. Mr Waiks was in favour of the bill as it stood, in justice to many in the North Island, who suffered as much as those inthe south. Mr Kirk asked whether it would be better to take measures in the North Island now before the nuisance wa« as bad a« in the south, or whether it would be better to wait till that happened. Mr Moore, as a Noith Inland man, favoured the bill as it stood. He did not agree with Mr Buchanan's statement that there were four small counties in Wairarnpa that would derive no benefit from it He would suggest the cat as a natural enemy to small birds. Mr Stuckey said he had no option L-ii- to

move as he had, because the southern men I •#©re bo determined to cany the bill through. Mr Kirk eaid there were several natural enemies that could be imported, but they would prey on all small birds, beneficial as woll as otherwise. ' Mr Wheeler raid this applied to poisoning also. The 'Chairman said he did not think the kcuthern members wished to thrust the thing through, and suggested North Island {members only vote on it. Mr Ritohie suggested that North Island fcnembers, while adopting the principle of the bill, should move that it should apply bnly to such districts in the North Island as might adopt it. Mr Hall moved to this effect, Mr Waiks Seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr Stuckey then withdrew his motion. The conference then adjourned till next inorning at 10 o'clock. Third Dat. , The conference resumed at 10 o'clock on Thursday morning, Mr John Roberts, ,D.M.G., presiding. THE SMALL BIBDS 2OJISAXCE BILL. Mr Hall (Auckland) moved that the following clause be added to the Birds Nuisance ,Bill:— "Provided that this act shall be brought into operation in the North Island only on the petition of the majority of the 'local bodies in any district as defined by the •c.t." , , i On the motion of Mr M'Laren seconded by Mr Mundell it was resolved — " That the Agricultural Department be requested to acquire and experiment with the view of i finding out the best methods of destroying email birds." ' TESTING MILK, Mr J. A. Kinsella (Dairy Commissioner) moved — " That some system be adopted for testing milk at various factories by a Government official, such official to pay surprise Visits to the factories." In doing so, he said that the matter had been brought before the Department of. Agriculture several times During the past year, and was being dealt with. There was a proposal to group the different factories in certain districts, and Hi employ competent men to do the testing tt some central station, where it could be tarried out in a uniform manner. Mr Wilson seconded the motion. __ Mr G. Milnes (Gorp) thought the matter jyas one which ought to be left to the Dairy Association. Mr Dick said the matter was of considerable importance in Auckland, where there was great dissatisfaction with the present ly&tem of testing. The motion was then put to the meeting f'.nd carried. SOUTH AFRICAN* TRADE. Mr D'Arcy Chaytor moved — " That the Conference discuss the very important matter of obtaining a share in the South African trade, and make such recommendations on the. subject to the Government as they may ifind necessary." He said that for some ■years past in South Africa the country was being very much eaten out in the way of all ptpek. Three years ago one could go through .the country and see large flocks of sheep, and now they would not be met with in E0 miles. The stock there now were all j ."weeds, and they wanted a Stud Act very ibadly. Horses ran practically wild, and 'donkeys, mares, and stallions ran together an paddocks, with the result that the progeny were weeds. As the country became settled a better class of stock would be required. Until the country became properly settled again there were great opportunities for trade with New Zealand. Large food supplies would also be required till farming was on a better footing, and in the meantime we should tako advantage of the opportunity, and should share in the enormous trade that must necessarily go "on in South Africa for the next five years. Those who * /were first in would have the best chance of keeping there longest, and he hoped the Government would do all it could to foster the trade. Mr D. Man&on seconded the motion, and ■aid he would like to see Union Company boats going to South Africa instead of the subsidies going to foreign companies. Consideration was then postponed till after lunch. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Mr J. Studholme, juu., moved — "That Hie Education Department be urged to Introduce into the tyllabus of all country schools in agricultural districts the teaching Df the elements of agriculture ; that the Government be aaked to attach to the Agricultural Department a staff of qualified agricultural lecturers, to be located in the various farming centres, whose duty it shall be — to give courses of lectures at the country Echpols to children in the day time, and to adults in the evening; to initiate and supervise agricultural experiments on various farms throughout their district ; to assist farmers in the improvement of their method of agriculture by advice, by tho dissemination of information, and in other ways." He rewarded the motion as the most important on the order paper. The question had been brought up at conference after conference-. The Farmers' Union would discuss it at their conference to be held shortly, but the matter did not seem to go much further, and no advance had been made in the last two years. Agriculture was a science whose teaching could not be made attractive from teaching alone. The teaching mUBt be supplemented by lectures, by ocular demonstration, and by experiments. It could not be made attractive to either children or adults without illustration by experiments. The lecturers should first of all tackle the teachers, and in a, short time could give them sufficient elementary knowledge to make them capable of grounding the children in their tchools in the text books. The work of the leacher could periodically be supplemented by the agricultural lecturer. Some system such as this was tho only way to encourage a love of the country in the children and Induce them to prefer a country life to a city life. He also thought it was tho best Vr&y of improving the quality of produce. Mr C. Reid, in seconding the motion, said they frequently heard tho complaint that the present school syllabus was too full. But he thought the subjects mentioned by Mr Studliolme wero of more importance than many that were at present taking up the time of the children Mr Dick did not advocate the carrying of instruction fuith^r in celiools than at present. He had listened to lectures on Momentary science in school?, and the result had hoen far from batisfactory. With the sybte-m of lecturers he had more sympathy O\erworked teachers in .-oh^ol- should not have this additional woik tliiu^t on them Thorn ■was one difluiilty in il.o u.ati^r. and that was that tho average colonial boy «as not •very teachib'o. at least luyond a certain Ftasre. Ec" was ico cn= ; 'i- 1 . T'nlcss in ilio way of profusely illustrated lectures, ho did sot mdxtmt* £& teWkiftg 9i MOfluliui^ ia

schools. In the near future it might be possible to have more agricultural colleges and more accessible.

Mr Gilruth said he could not agree with Mr Dick that it was inadvisable to teach agriculture in schools. Although the methods used might not be of value, it did not follow that the subject was undesirable. He had taken the trouble to look into the matter when in France, and he found that in each rural school the teacher wag compelled to teach a certain amount of elementary agriculture. He did not teach it out of a book and ram. it down the throats of the children ; he had a garden and utilised it for Ihe purpose. His experience went to show that the average New Zealand boy was absolutely ignorant of the majority of the plants growing at the school door, not knowing a single name of one of them. He might know the source of the Ganges was in the Himalayas, but he could not give the name of any plant barring an ordinary bluegum. It would be better for the colony if we adopted the method in vogue ;n; n France. First of all, it was necessary that the teachers themselves should have the practical knowledge. In that country the children were taken out into the garden and given practical demonstration. The teacher, in an instance that came under his notice, planted a row of peas, and every day took up a pea and showed the children v/hat had happened. The children were taught why they dug, why the land was drained ; and yet in New Zealand there were many farmers to-day who did not know why drainage was good. He could assure the conference that to keep the children of the country on the land there was nothing that would equal a rational and sensible system of teaching the elements of agriculture in the school. — (Applause.)

Dr Truby Bang most cordially agreed with the spirit of the motion and with Mr Gilfuth's remarks, and went on to say that the primary facts and forces of the world were, for the most part, left out of account in the ordinary school curriculum. He thought it w*s extraordinary that children should be expected to know the whereabouts and products of divers places in the most distant ports of the earth, and that they should be allowed to remain, virtually ignorant of what was going on all around them — that their attention should not be directed in a practical way to the operations of those laws and processes of Nature which would be of the most importance to them in their every-day work in the world and in the conduct and ordering of their own lives. Some time ago he had procured some of the best recent primors. dealing with the practical teaching of the flemente of natural science, matters which, if properly put, were found to be intensely interesting even to young children — heat, cold, the seasons, the growth of plants and animals, etc. A teacher happened to be staying with him at the time, and he said, "Don't you think it would be a great advantage if such tilings were taught practically in the schools? " She replied that it would add another subject — another book — to be learned off by heart. It was true that she had herself once tried growing some wheat in a tin in the school porch, and she had never seen her pupils so much interested in anything. They used to rush in every morning to see how much the crop had grown. However, the teacher did not pursue the matter any further, because she had no time for it, and the experiment was never repeated. There were too many things to be taught for examination purposes to admit of the training of practical observation which would not count. Now. anybody who knows anything of natural science realises that no good will ever be done by mere learning from books or memorising alone. The method of teaching ought to bo such that the pupil actually saw, felt, and took a part in what it learned, and it was simply deceiving examiners for them to cay that they knew what they really did not know, but had merely learned by heart. These things, instead of bejng uninteresting to children, were things that they took up and received with the utmost avidity. He did not know anything morp enlightened than what was being done in Germany, and it was a revelation to English teachers who had taken the trouble to go there. In country schools they would often find tne teacher out in the fields training the children to observe and think over what was going on around them. He had taken ihe trouble to try and train tome pupils in natural science hiniadf, and found that they had not the most elementary understanding with regard to the primary fact 3 of- the -universe. The children must learn tho ABC of the world round about the.jn. The great difficulty seemed to be in making a start. Ho was perfectly certain that if teachers were sent round to lecture even to advanced pupils in the primary schools at the present time with regard to agriculture, it would not do much good, booauec the children had not been prepared. The elementary basis and the habit- of observation would have to be impressed on the children ac a part of their curriculum, lie knew that teachers felt themselves that for the practical life of the average scholar a great deal could be left out in respect to advanced arithmetic, and an enormous amount of detail in geography, history, and grammar, which would leave room for thiusjs immensely more \ital. The object of tho motion had his entire sympathy. It would be necessary to got practical instructors to teach the elements of natural science to the teachers in order that it might be demonstrated in a practical way at the school. This was now being done on the Continent, and in the future it would Le done more and more.

Mr J. G. Wilson, after expressing his concurrence with the motion, said he would strongly counsel tho conference noi to ask the Education Department to tnkc this matter up. The uay education \\a.* being carried out in ihis colony nab mo-t lamentable. Admirable work was being carried out by tho education boards, and it was only as they went higher up that there was an intense indiffeience to going forward in education. He thought the question of teaching agriculture was one for the. Agricultural Department to take xip.

Mr Murphy (secretary) said that under the National Board of Education in Ireland teachers were encouraged to go on to experimental farms, where they could gain certificates. Thc»e teachcivs could command higher salarie-, and were given the preference in country districts. He suggested that teachers here should tako a similar course at Lincoln College.

Dr Truby King said that to give lectures to children in their present state would bo to place the lecturers at a great disadvantage. The school teachers should begin with the Fimplest elements of natural science which \>er3 nece-sary to understand a course

the motion by this one: — "That tho Government be urged to arrange for the simple practical teaching of the elements of natural science, particularly as bearing on agriculture and horticulture ac an essential and necessary part of primary education." Mr Studliolme agreed to the suggestion. Mr Kirk remarked that the conference on agricultural education .it Homo carried a resolution that the education work of the British Board of Agriculture should be transferred to the newly appointed education board 3 - The motion as amended was then put and carried. . AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FOR VETERINARY ' STUDEXTS. Mr Wilson moved — "That tlii> conference desiras to again express its opinion of the absolute nere^ity in the interests of higher ' education for the -establishment of an agri- : cultural college where veterinary students could attend classes and recene diplomas, and that the Minister of Agriculture should j take immediate steps to give effect to tl c above opinion." Mr Wheeler seconded the motion. Mr Studhohne opposed the motion. It • was not well to ask too much. He sug- , geeted that Mr Wilson amend his motion to read — "That the Government be asked to establish a chair for the teaching of veterinary science at Lincoln College." Mr Buckley did not think Lincoln College was the place for teaching veterinary btudents. He thought a veterinary college was about 50 years before the time. I Studentp should be encouraged to go Home J and study. i Mr Holmes thought the natural place for the teaching of veterinary science was in connection with the Dunedin Medical School, where a number of the necessary teachers and appliances were ready to hand. He would sugge&t that a start be made by ( establishing two lectureships for veterinary students in connection with Otago University, with their consent. Mr Kirk pointed out by statistics that tne agricultural products of the colony exported amounted to over three-fourths of the total product* exported, as thawing the importance of the interests represented by the conference. Mr Gilruth said a man to got a fair training must have time. He could not do much under six years, and it wab little use giving . a man a smattering of veterinary knowledge. Still, he thought some training in the colony »vas advisable, a D it took every man coming out from Home some time to get used to the colony. It would be impossible at Lincoln College to give the necessary attention to students. He had previously recommended that the department should train their own student?, and should select those with a previous knowledge of stock. The department could easily undertake the work. It was useless to train young men unless they were shown how to make a living. The country could not absorb more than it did at present. Mr Buchanan thought the best place f<-r making a start was Lincoln College. Mr Wilson's motion waa then put and carried. Mr Holmes withdrew hie amendment, and moved — "That the meeting approve of Mr Gi'lruth's report on veterinary instruction, and urge upon the Government that it should be carried into effect as soon as possible as a beginning of veterinary instruction in New Zealand." The motion was carried unanimously, and the conference then adjourned for luncheon. TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA. The question of South African trade was resumed. Mr Ohaytor moved — " That the Government be urged to take immediate steps to establish a line of steamers to South Africa to secure a share of the tiade." Mr Stuckey seconded the motion. Mr Buchanan said it must be obvious that steamers in the trade, coming back as they would, empty, would be at a great disadvantage. It would be better if the steamers went to England in the usual way. The motion was then carried. AN AGRICULTURAL TAPER. Mr Wilson withdrew his motion — "That it is desirable that the various agricultural and pastoral bodies should combine and publish a weekly paper." STUD BOOKS. Mr Wilson moved — "That it would be a great advantage to breeders of stock in the colony if »>tud books were published annually instead of spasmodically, as at present." Mr Sturkey seconded the motion. Mr Murphy said it would be almost impossible to establish an annual herd book, as the entries were so few. In future they would he published at intervale of not longer than two year<j. Mr Kettle suggested that every quarter or six months a leaflet of new entries be issued. Mr Murphy eaid the suggestion would he tarried out if possible. The motion was carried. INBREO HALFBnED SHEEr. Mr G. Roberts moved — '' That seeing It is contemplated to admit inbred halfbred sheep to the ' Flock Book,' this conference recommend a name for the samel" He recommended the name "Southern Cross" as more distinctive than " Carriedale," as suggested. Mr M'Larcn seconded the motion. Mr M'Farlane moved as an amendment — "That ' Carriedale ' bo the name," and Mr Buckley seconded it. The name, it was stated, was in use all over Canterbury. Mr Stuekey thought the matter fchould be left entirely to the breeder?. Aftpr fuilher discussion the amendment was carried that "Carriedale" be the name. COALITION WITH THE TERMERS* VXIOJf. Mr Studholme moved tlve next motion — •'That it would be advisable for the Agricultural and Pastoral Conference and the Colonial Farmers' Union Conference to meet at the vimc place and on the «uno date to discuss and vote together on all matters of common interest, included in their agenda paperr." Mr Reid seconded the motion, stating that a a cry large proportion of subjects were common to both bodies, and the pre-t-ent conference could reserve to themselves a paper dealing exclusively with show matters and stock generally. Mr Hall opposed the motion. There were suljjects coining before the Farmers,' XJnion that the present conference would not care to discuss, nor did ho think that body would favour the plan. The motion was lost. THE QUESTION OF JUDGING. Mr Coleman moved — "That judges should be appointed to attend all the show. 1 - in the North and South Island." _ | Mr M'Farlane seconded the motion, stat- I ing that in Canterbury it had been decided i

farmers, which should do a good deal to encourage young judges to come forward. Mr Hall thought the practice of putting the first part of the motion into effect would greatly injure the number of entries to the shows. Mr Buckley opposed the motion. Mr Reid thought the matter should be left in abeyance till the subject of the judging by points' system had been brought up. Thus was the only satisfactory system. The motion was lost. Mr Coleman then moved — " That in view of the desirability of young men being brought forward to act as judges, the district shows should give such men an opportunity to act, or associate a young judge with a recognised man." Mr Hawke seconded the motion. Mr Williams thought the last clause was unworkable, and would not meet the approval of recognised judges, who would not come to educate young men as an encyclopaedia on stock. The last clause was struck out by agreement, and the motion, as amended, carried. PRIZE TICKETS AT BHOWG. Mr M'Farlane moved — "That the various associations throughout New Zealand adopt a uniform standard of colours for prize tickets at shows.*' Mr Hall seconded the motion, suggesting the colours of the Royal Agricultural Society of England — namely, first prize, red ; second, blue ; third, orange ; very highly commended, green ; highly commended, white ; cony mended, yellow. The Chairman suggested the champion ticket be gold. The motion was carried, the colours suggested to be adopted. COUNTRY SHOWS. Mr G. Roberts moved — " That the conference recommend tho advisability of district shows being established by the affiliation of several small societies, the shows being held at various points in each district instead of, as at present, having an annual show." Mr Hawke seconded the motion. Mr Buckley said he would be sorry to see the small shows done away with. They acted as feeders to the metropolitan shows, and a man who was successful at a small show usually advanced to enter in a bigger one. Small thows encouraged a healthy rivalry among farmers. Mr Manson deprecated any interference or discouragement of the small shows. Mr Coleman thought there could not be too many small shows, if there was a metropolitan show in the district. Mr Stewart pointed out that it was not suggested to do away with all the small country shows, but to combine two or three of them. Mr Hall opposed the motion. Mr Kettle thought it was a matter to be decided by the districts themselves. Mr Reid said the prevention of the clashing of dates had removed the only objection to the country shows. Mr G. Roberts said Otago was divided ' off into very suitable areas for holding district showe. Five or six excellent district shows could be field in Otago, but so many local shows were superfluous. The motion was lost. GENERAL RESOLUTIONS. Mr Studholme moved — " That no- person should be appointed to the position of stock inspector who had -not passed an examination in the diseases of domestic animals." It was very necessary, he eaid, that inspectors should have a knowledge of veterinary science. Their work was becoming more of a nature requiring suoh knowledge, and it was the only way in which confidence in them was to be retained. It would not apply to anyone »t present in office. — Mr Macfarlane seconded the motion, which' was carried. Mr Hall moved — " That tho executive of the conference urge upon tho Acting-Pre-mier that it is time to take advantage of the present drought in Australia to try and eeoure a reduction on the duties on New Zealand agricultural produce." In doing so, he said that at tho present timo they were crying out for want of fodder in Auetralia, end yet would nob reduce the duties for fear of injuring Victoria or Tasmania. New Zealand had no great amount of fodder, perhaps, now to export, but the main thing was to use the present juncture as a lever to get the door open. — Mr Kettle

seconded the motion, which was carriedi without discussion. Mr Hall moved — <% That this conference urge upon the Government the speedy estf.blishm«nt of an up-to-date agricultural museum, in connection with which a system; of travelling cases of specimens of grasses, soils, manures, etc., might be initiated, a«» suggested by Mr Kirk in his recent report*." Things seen, he said, were better than; tilings heard, and the educational value of such a system would be large. — Mr Coleman seconded the motion, which was carried aftev a short discussion, in which Mr Waiks- suggested that the establishment of such cases in schools would be a good plan, but Mr Dick pointed out thot the department had not 1000 cases to distribute. Mr Dick moved— " That the Government be urged to bring m the necessary legislation to provide for the mow ready sale of New Zealand wines on the lines suggested! by the Government biologist in his report." — Mr Studholme seconded the motion, which was carried after a short niscussion. Mr D'Arcy Chaytor moved — " That all A. and P. Societies judge stock wherever possible by a system of points." In doing so, he said produce and stock should He grown to a fixed -standard. In judging without points the judge fixed his own standard, which was generally different from that of any other judges, and the result was unsatisfactory. — Mr Reid seconded the motion, which after a discussion wa.3 rejected. It was- resolved — " That the Minister o£ Railways be asked to reduce the railway fures of secretaries of agricultural societies to the same as that given tho press." It was also resolved— " That the Government be urged to at once introduce a bill to legalise the publication of full particulars re the testing of seeds and analyses of manures, such reports to set forth the price, name of .vendor, and all information as to purity or otherwise." The question of the next meeting of the conference was then discussed, and it was decided to meet again in two years. The conference then adjourned till 10 o'clock next morning. Fourth Day. The conference resumed at 10 o'clock on Friday morning, Mr John Roberts, C.M.G., presiding. The Chairman made reference to the honour of knighthood that had been conferred on Captain Russell, and suggested that the conference «hould send him a mesEage of congratulation. Captain (now Sir William) Russell had always been a strong friend of the agricultural and pastoral industry. The conference unanimously decided to adopt the suggestion. DISEASE IK SHEEP. The Chairman read the following paper from Mr W. Souter on :< Ergot Poisoning " : " Mr Chairman, — I may say that what induced me to write this paper on 'Ergot' was the report of such a great mortality amongst lambs, both south and north, and the belief that a little timo and attention, would prevent loss in the future. A good! it. any years ago I lost a great many of my lambs, and I could not account for it in any way, as I thought they had everything in their favour. I consulted with, the late Mi* John Douglas, V.S., and he at once told me what he believed to be the cause — viz., ergot poisoning, — and from that time every year when I see that my grass- ia likely to go to seed I put the mower over the paddocks and it improves the pasture and prevents ergot from getting a chance of growing. Ergot is a poisonous fungus which grows on ryegrase, cocksfoot, and other grasses. When the seed is ripe and left standing, should any sudden spurt of growth occur it fosters the growth of ergot, aiul when developed it is very dangerous for stock, especially horses and lambs. The) first symptoms in lambs is scouring, then they get very ' staggery,' and many die. All affected fall off in condition very quickly. Mares in foal depasturing on grasa where ergot is in evidence are liable to abortion. Ergot is to be found in every ripe grass seed, but it does not grow of itself, and any seeds with the least appearpnee of ergot will not grow. The richer the soil the more liable to be affected with ergot, and a wet season favours its growth.

The only prevention that I know is the mower, when the seeds are in flower, or heavy stocking to cat it down. My experience is in favour of the mower."

A short discussion on the paper then followed.

Mr Wheeler stated that in. his district the stock on the new bush had some years ago bc-come quite unmanageable. They could not even be moved. They seemed to lose all control of themselves, and if moved seemed to have lost their sight, running into logs. They had to be left alone, and he lost about 25 per cent. He had no hesitation in contributing that state of affairs to ergot. Though there had since then been plenty of ergot visible in the grasecs. he had had no other considerable lose. He had been anxious about other forms of ergot poironinq, but had had no deaths except th» first year. Mr Gilruth said he had seen ergot in the North Island as never elsewhere, except cultivated. Since his ai-rival in tho colony the only trouble he had seen practically arise from ergot had been a very severe gangrene of the feet. On cattle runs, in the North Island especially, where ergot was plentiful even to-day, cattle could be found irith one foot completely sev-ered. but quite normal otherwise. He very much doubted if ergot produced the amount of abortion •with.'which it was credited. Looking into the question as he was at present, he found that cows with gangrenous feet did not abort as a rule. He had begun to believe that ergot prevented rather than caused abortion. Of the disease in sheep, such as described, he had not had experience, but was not prepared to ascribe its cause to ergot. Mr Manson described an effectual remedy brought about in the ca=e of lambs affected by changing into clean, clear yards.

Mr Chaytor spoke in similar terms of a remedy for ergot poisoning produced by shifting the sheep.

Mr Stevenson was of the opinion that " 6taggers " vras a form of indigestion, and not to be attributed to ergot, at least not to rrgot in the seed, as the disease was most prevalent in the dry season ; it was not experienced when there was abundance of grass and it was greei*.

Mr Wheeler thought there was no question but tho ergot was upon th* reaves. He imagined the seed spiead itself by spoTes, and these falling on the herbage, were taken up by the sheep.

Mr Kirk said that as a matter of fact there were very few gratscs upon which ergot had not been found at rame time or other, and read an extract bearing on the subject from a report by Mr J. R. Charlton, Government veterinarian, on " ErgotiVm in Cattle." The discussion then closed. COKCLUSION. On the motion of Mr Kettlp. it was decided to hold the next conference in Auckland. The following committee was Bet up to give effect to. as far as possible, the resolutions -of the conference: — Messrs John Roberts, Hon. T. Fergus, P. Pattullo, and G Roberts. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr M. Murphy (secretary), to the Agricultural Department, to the Committee of the Otago A. and P. Association, and to the chairman. The conference then adjourned. "LUNCHEON AT THE OTAGO CLUB. Tho members of the Agricultural Conference were the guests of the Otago A. and P Association at lunch at the Otago Club en Friday. Mr John. Roberts presided, and Mr George Roberts filled the vice-chair. After luncheon a &hort toast list was entered on. The Chairman proposed " The King " and "The Governor," which were loyally honoured in turn. In proposing " The Agricultural Department," coupled with tho name of Mr Ritchie. Mr Roberta said the tonference had had before it evidence thai the efforts of the Agricultural Department were appreciated. He tiu^ted in future they might have a more intelligent understanding of the department's work. They were indebted to the late Sir John M'Kenzie for this department, and for many years some «f them were inclined to look on it as a doubtful experiment. They thought the good to be derived from it was problematical, but now, after 11 years' experience, it was steadily growing into a department which commanded respect. He was sure tliat the next 10 years would show that the ' result of the department's work woul.l largely surpass the work of the last 10 years. Tie looked forward to great results in the future. The toast was drunk with enTh~Ußiaßm, and cheers were given for Mr Tiitchie, Mr Kirk, Mr Gilruth, and Mr ■Kinsella. Mr Ritchie, in replying, said that the firht congratulations lie got on his appoin'tjnent to the department 11 years ago were from Mr Roberts. He assumed it with great misgivings. Sir John M'Kenzie only asked him to take charge of the Stock Department. The Agricultural Department was then in the hands of the Lands Department, but Sir John M'Kenzie thought it would be better if the two departments were amalgamated. He (Mr Ritchie) got pvery assistance from the experts, and they tried to do ih? best they could. In publications alone they had issued something like 10,000, and they were available for anyone who cared to have them. Mr A. Douglas proposed '"The Visitors." -and appropriate replies were made by Mr Buchanan and Mr Buckley. Air Buckley, in the cour=f of his remark-, paid that the conference was one of the most pleasant and instructive times he had <-v-er spent. He thought a great deal of benefit resulted from the fact that agri « ulturhts ond pa.=torali-ts from all parts of tho colony met together. The Winter show must have been a revelation to those from the north. The Otago As-cciation was uractically the only one tb.it had been able •to e-tdblish a Winter "=huw and keep it up for a number of years. He thought it more beneficial than . a summer tlvuv, and ho 3-.carti!y congratulated the Otago A=-ocia-tion on its succ-cs.*. The Hon. T. Fergus proposed " Kindred Societies" coupled with the names of Messrs Dick (Auckland) and Hawke (Southland). Mr Dick said l>e could honestly say the show was, a revelation to him, and he was especially etruck with the county bay-. They had had a very tutceifful conforoneo, and must not forget that it was largely duo to the energetic committee and the gentlejnen who had presided with &o much abiHty — (Applaiise.)

Mr Studholme proposed '' T! c Otacro A and P. Society," aud iv doina; =o raid that !*■ tmis a great lo<=s to Canterbury ibat they

lia'i not bpen able to riake a financial sue

cc — of their Writer .snow. They « ould Irak-- another attempt, and ho trusted Otapo Would oogw {orwaru aud kel^ Vi 'Uu s*iubit'? A

and that they would send some of their EcaiTelloue Swede turnips.

Mr George Roberts, iv reply, attributed the success of ths Winter show in Dunedin to the fact that the committee endeavoured to study tbe public. They always tried to bring forward some new feature?, and he hoped next year that they would make it still more attractive to people in the city. They had already made it sufficiently attractive for the country people.

Mr Pattullo proposed " The Press," and Mr Bisset (representing the Canterbury Times) made appropriate response.

After the Chairman (Mr Roberts) and the Secretary (Mr Murphy) had been toasted, the company sang ''Auld lang syne,' and then dispersed.