NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 29

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

The following business was transacted at tho first day's sitting of the Conference: —

THE BHEEr-TAX

Mr Pattullo moved — (1) "That the Government be asked for a reduction in the sheeptax "; (2) "Sheep-stealing being prevalent, the conference discuss the best means of detecting and putting a stop to the practice." Personally, he was not in sympathy with the first part of the motion, and he proposed leaving it to those more interested. As to^he second, he favoured the appointment of men, whom, for want of a better term, he would call sheep detectives. One of these men could be stationed in large sheep districts, and could attend sales and get to know earmarks, as well as the class of cheep bred by particular owners. The iact that there was such an officer would have a very deterrent effect on sheep-steal-tng-

Mr G. Roberts seconded the motion, and expressed the opinion that the only effective means of preventing sheep-stealing would "be to alter the law so that the police would have a chance of getting a conviction. _ After a good deal of discussion, the portion of the resolution relating to sheepStealing was carried. Mr Wheeler then moved — " That the words • a reduction * be struck out, and the words •the abolition' be substituted. He could »cc no earthly reason why sheep should be taxed to the exclusion of other stock.

Mr Pattullo seconded the amendment, Itrhich, on being put, was lost. Mr Kettle moved a further amendment •s follows — *' That the Government be asked to abolish the sheep-tax and establish in its place a stock-tax." Mr Hawk« seconded the amendment, and this, on being put to the conference, was carried.

"trotting" at auction sales.

Mr Mundell moved — "That with a view 'to putting a stop to bogus bidding at auction sales, the Government be asked to again introduce the Auctioneers' Amendment Act."

Mr M'Laren seconded the motion, and the .conference occupied over half an hour ia s^digicaifus it.

Mr J.* D. Ritchie said that the bill before the House last year was withdrawn, to be referred to the agricultural societies during the recess. Replies so far had been received from six in favour of the bill and seven against it out of 30 societies. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was lost.

NOSLOTTS WEEDS. Mr D'Arcy Chaytor (Marlborough) moved — " That the Government be asked to grant a bonus to anyone who invents or discovers a cheap method for destroying noxious weeds," and, in doing so, said that some parts of Marlborough were much effected by noxious weeds, especially sweetbriar, and many would rather give up their lands than take the brier off it. It would not pay to eradicate these pests, and if tho Government would grant a bonus for anyone discovering a cheap method of eradicating noxious weeds it might solve the difficulty. It was no use for an inspector to worry men to do what was. impossible. The vastness of the task in some eases quite prevented men from making a start, and in some of the back regions the> Noxious Weeds Act was practically a dead letter. Farmers scraping out a mere existence required help. Mr D. Manson (Taieri) supported the motion, but thought it rather late in the day to bring up the matter. Attention should be given to the Californian thistle. Mr J. H. Williams (Hawke's Bay) said he understood the Government were already moving in the matter in trying to discover a cheap remedy to sell to tho settlers. During the last two or three years he- had usod a preparation of arsenic, which was perfectly effective, but it had cost him £150 to £200 a year. Salt was also very effective.

Mr J. Studholme, jun. (Ashburton) said it had cost him about £1000 during the last three years eradicating Californian thistle. The act required rigid enforcement, which it did not get in his district. Mr Pattullo (Otago) said that over large areas the question of the eradication of the Californian thistle was practically an impossibility. \ Mr Buchanan (Carterton) faiil that if the operation of hoeing the thistle were continued often enough, say once a week, cutting two or three inches below the surface would destroy the weed in the end.

Mr Overtoil said in his opinion the only method of destroying the thistle wae not to tafc it appear above the ground.

Mr Studholme said a certain cur© was 121b of salt to the square yard — that was, , jusfc enough to cover the ground. Mr R. Dick (Auckland) said -the only means of remedy was to deprive the plant of access to the air, which could be done chemically or mechanically. There were no chemicals that would go deep enough to destroy blackberry and certain other roots. Mr Kirk (Government Biologist) said the gist of the matter lay in a quotation from a leaflet published by the Government a year or two age — namely, " That any measure preventing the plant from developing its leaves will be effective." From his own experience he found nothing was so cheap as cutting. A tool consisting of a" number of "duck-feot" attached to a wooden frame and cutting an inch below the surface removed the leaves and proved very effective. Chemicals he had tiied hitherto had not been a success.

After further discussion the motion waa put and carried.

Mr W. F. M. Buckley (Ellremeie) moved — " That the clauses of the Noxious Wee-da Aot be more vigorously enforced. "'

The motion was cairied without discussion.