A. AND P. ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 17784, 13 July 1916, Page 5

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

SETTLEMENT OF BELGIAN FARMERS

LAND FOR SOLDIERS,

(Per United Press Association.)

AV ELLINGTON, July 12. At the Council of Agricultural anil Pastoral Association's Conference the following were appointed six representatives of South Island on the executive, being the only members nominated; — Messrs H. A. Knight (Canterbury), I>. O. Wright tAshburton), J. Macpherson (North Otago), J. Turnbull (Gore), G. A. McDonald (Timaru), and J. Q. Rankin (Clydesdale Horse. Society). Thu ballot taken for six representatives for the North Island resulted as follows: —Messrs G. Hunter (Waipukurnu), F. Williams' (Hawke’s Bay), J. E. Kutherford (Auckland), G. Donald (Masterton). J. A. Campbell (Wanganui), and J. H. Perrett ( Keilding).

It was resolved to urge upon the Government the desirableness after the war of the opening of ports to stock exported from the dominion in the interests of the farming community.

It was unanimously decided that the A and P. Association’s of the Dominion he asked to start and vigorously promote a movement for collecting funds for the settlement on the land of ruined Belgian farmers. A number of remits dealing with returned soldiers and their settlement on the land were withdrawn, and the following from Masterton, moved by Mr McKilop, was adopted:—"That the Government bo urged to continue to place on the land every returned soldier capable and willing to work the same; that good quality land be secured for the purpose, and if it is found necessary to acquire land, large estates which are not being fully developed should be taken first.”

Sir James AVilson moved—"That 'r i view of the proposal to establish a Dominion Farmers’ Institute in Wellington it be a recommendation to the executive to have the office of the Now Zealand Council of Agriculture located there when the building is erected, and that tlio Conference recommends the proposal to the farming community.” The motion was agreed to. Home discussion took place on the embargo on the export of hides. It was stated that the loss to dominion producers since February through the imposition of the embargo was £50,00(1, which bad gone into speculators’ hands. The Conference resolved to ask the Government to withdraw the embargo. The Conference has concluded.