AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 18

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

INTERVIEW WITH MR FULTON. Messrs A. S. Orbell and H. V. Fulton, the Otago delegates to the Biennial Conference of Agricultural and Pastoral Societies, recently held in Wellington, returned to Dunedin on the 2nd. In the course of conversation with a reporter Mr Fulton stated that some good work was done at the conference. ■ REMITS FROM OTAGO. Both remits sent forward from Otago for consideration were, after discussion, carried unanimously. The first remit was in the direction of affirming the desirability of sitting up a commission composed of landowners and departmental officers to inquire and report upon; (a) The area, locality, and configuration of lands affected by noxious weeds; (b) the varieties of weeds, noxious and otherwise, and the amount of damage and loss sustained by reason of their growth ; (c) the methods by which the whole subject might be dealt with; (d) the matter of the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act. Mr E. Clifton, director of the division, who attended the conference snokc on the various clauses of the remit, and warmly supported the proposals. The second Otago remit touched on the question of the wholesale destruction of opossums which is at present taking place. It urged the Government to take into consideration the desirability of utilising the large scenic and mountain areas of the South Island as a breeding giound for the little marsupial, and pointed out. that by ttiis means thousands of pounds’ worth of skins might be annually produced. COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

One of the most important matters dealt with at the conference was in connection with a proposal to set up a dominion council of agriculture, having for its object the promotion of interest in agricultural and rural lift', by securing the co-operation and federation of the various A. and P. societies and other organisations throughout the dominion, which are working for the advancement of agriculture. It was pointed out that such a council would not interfere with the autonomy or individual freedom of action of any of the bodies which might become affiliated to it—the council acting as a central board to which would bo referred matters affecting societies as a whole. The proposal was very favourably received, and it was agreed to set up such a council, the council to meet twice a year in Christchurch in November, at the time of the summer show, and in Palmerston North on the occasion of the winter show there. The first council was then constituted, as follows: —President (who is also th 3 president of the biennial conference), Mr Ewen Campbell (Wanganui); secretary am] treasurer, Mr Edwin Hall; committee— North Island; Messrs A. Conway (Mana watu), J. G. Rutherford (Auckland), W. perry (Masterton), B. C. Lysaght (Egrnont). A. 11. Russell (Hawke’s Ray). J. G. Wilson (Rangitikei); .South Island: Messrs J. 1). Hall and D. D. MacFarlane (Canterbury), John Studholme (Ashburton). H. I). Vavasour (Marlborough). A. 8. Orbed (Otago), and W. U. Hunt (.Southland). Three representatives from each island will retire from the council annually, hut will he eligible for re-election. The North Island representa lives on the executive will ho elected by

tho North Island delegates to the council, the South Island representatives to be similarly elected.

CARRIAGE OF STOCK ON RAILWAYS. The much-discussed question of tho charges on the conveyance of stock to and from shows was again ventilated, and a remit, which was strongly supported by tho Otago delegates, was agreed to This stated that the time had arrived when the carriage certificates at present in use should be done away with, exhibitors at shows to in future be charged quarter rates on their stock each way, on the bona fidcs of the exhibits being guaranteed by the society interested. A FAVOURABLE RECEPTION. At the conclusion of the conference, which looted three days, a sub-committee was set up to wait on the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. Mr Massey), as well as the Minister of Railways (the Hon. Mr Hcrrics) to lay before them tho resolutions arrived at. Both Ministers gave the subcommittee a sympathetic hearing. Mr Herrs es -stating that he was of opinion that a sim pi float ion of the present method or issuing railway certificates for the carriage of stuck was ncc ssary in tho interests of exhibitors at shows. Tho resolutions submitted will bo considered by the Government in due course.