COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15203, 16 October 1919, Page 3

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE.

UjVlTiiJ) fftJiSß. ABSOWATION.J Weliißgfon, Oct. 15. The animal conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture opened to-day. Mr George Hunter, M.P., was fleeted president. 'i'rt© Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Noswbi'thy) attended by. invitation, and apologised for the absence of the* Prime luinister. He emphasised the necessity for making .tip for the losses of the war by increased rural efficiency. The officials of the Department of Agriculture would, he promised, do all they could to assist.. Tne prospect before agriculture, if all pulled together, was' bright. On the motion of Mr Hodder (Manawatu)? it wais decided that the • Minister of Hallways be urged again to reinstate all privileges granted to Agricultural and Pastoral Associations on the railways, withdrawn during the war. Mr Penny (Manawatu) moved, and it was agreed' to, that the Governmont be again" strongly urged to make mandatory the clauses of the Rating Act, which give power to local bodies to, exempt agricultural ehowgrounds from local bodies taxation. Mr W. D. Hunt (Wellington), on behalf of the executive, proposed that the time had arrived when Agricultural and Pastoral Associations should take into consideration what are the best means to adopt to improve the work „of the societies and add to their usefulness as a means of advancing knowledge in thtj practice of agriculture and the breeding of live stock; and that it be an instruction to the incoming executive to submit concrete proposals to societies prior to the next annual conference. It was resolved to embody a further remit from Canterbury and Otago that the Government be asked to subsidise metropolitan shows in New Zealand. The iemits were adopted. The conference also resolved, on the motioji of Mr I). R. Hamilton (Franklin), that, agricultural and pastoral societies be allowed to borrow money from the Advances to Settlers Office for purchasing and equipping showgrounds. The following remits were adopted:— That all agricultural and pastoral associations should adopt a standard rule with regard to the measuring of horses at shows. That the Public Works Department be asked to facilitate the distribution of electric current in country districts traversed by transmission imes. That the Government be urged to push on with general hydro-electric schemes. That the Government. Ha urm^d to take steps to purchase more land for the settlement thereon of soldiers, as- there are now large numbers or returned soldiers in the Dominion waiting for an opportunity of going on the land. That the Government be urged to take steps to open up a market in South America for New Zealand-bred stock. That th(\ conference bring before the Government the serious position of the farming community owing to the shortage of insulated shipping and consequent congestion of meat in cold stores in.the Dominion. A Smithlsmd remit that the conference be held in Wellington and Christchurcb alternately was lost on the 'voices. Officers'for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—Executive: North Island. Messrs W. McGregor, J. H, Perrett, and G. R. Beamish: Soutl Island, Messrs H. A. Knight, J. Turnbull, and John Deans. The conference has closed. i '""I '""-