A. AND P. SOCIETIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 18

A. AND P. SOCIETIES

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. SPEECH BY MR MASSEY. WELLINGTON, July 13. Speaking at the Agricultural and Pastoral (Societies’ Conference, which opened to-day, the Prime Minister congratulated members on the successful season experienced by the farming industry. In spite of the drought, the output of the country had been maintained. Up to March 31 Let the exports from New Zealand were valued at £27,000,000, 87 per cent, of which came from the land. The exports showed an increase of £4,000,000 for the year, and this would possibly have been greater if it had not boon for the unfortunate Shortage of shipping, which difficulty had now been overcome. The effort now would be to clear the frozen meat stores, so that they would be able to start next season with a clean sheet. He expressed a doubt as to whether there was sufficient wheat for our own requirements. If it was found necessary to import from Canada, all arrangements had been made, and there would bo no difficulty. Next season, he believed, there would be more than enough for our own requirements. The producer would get a fair price, and the consumer would not have to pay as much for wheat and flour as ho had been doing lately. In the course of his address the President said:—“Every man in the room feels a grim determination that all selfishness is to bo set aside, and that all ho is and lias is at the service of his King and country, so that the British Empire and her allies may be victorious, and, in winning, give -freedom to nations, as well as to individual subjects.” Ho predicted the formation of a Council of Empire after the war, but hoped that an unwieldy central Parliament would bo avoided. I his sad and terrible war would make us all think long and deeply, and strive in every way we could to do our duty, and no farmer was doing his duty who was not making extra efforts to produce more than ever before. Farmers and graziers should do all in their power to keep m reserve all young female stock of good class, and not sacrifice them for the sake of the high prices at the moment offering. If this were not done of the fanners’ own accord, steps should be taken at the freezing works to prevent the killing of fresh and sound female stock of a good class, which, in a year or two, would be worth more on the farm. By not conserving such stock we were reducing our power to keep up production during the next year or two. It should always be remembered that there was no way in which we could so help to pay the war debt and interest than by increased production from the land and by economy in every way. The president concluded by exhorting all present to act loyally by the Prime Minister’s message to the King: ‘All we are and all wo have are at the service of the Empire.” The following remits were carried: “That this council strongly urges upon the Government the desirability of passing the Stud or Registration of Stallions Bill through Parliament without delay, and that it bo requested to call for evidence thereon.” “That this conference urges upon the Government that all stallions should be licensed, and that only after satisfactorily passing an examination by a Government veterinary surgeon, effective measures to be taken to prevent breeding from horses not licensed.” “That the trotting breed bo not encouraged for military remounts.” “That contagious mammitis bo made a notifiable disease under the Stock Act, and that, before animals that are known to be affected with this disease be sold, they should bo by the inspector to prevent them from being sold as milkers.” “ That experiments be made in different centres to determine the best and most economical form of phosphatic and other manures to use in those particular districts.” “That the Government be urged to make compulsory that an analysis shall bo given

with all stoc-k foods and condiments, the source from which ingredients wore obtained to be stated.” “That this conference considers it inadvisable to remove the Californian thistle from the second schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act.” “That the conference consider the desirability of vesting some advisory power of control of Agricultural Department affairs in local committees, to bo appointed for that purpose.”