H.—2

1887. NEW ZEALAND.

AUSTRALASIAN STOCK CONFERENCE (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. G. S. Coopee to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Bth November, 1886. I have the honour to enclose a report of the Australasian Stock Conference lately held at Sydney on the invitation of the Government of New South Wales, as conveyed in a letter from the Colonial Secretary of that colony dated the 30th July, 1886. The colonies were variously represented — New Zealand had i delegates; New South Wales, 3 ; Tasmania, 3 ; Queensland, 2 ; South Australia, 2 ; and Victoria only 1 ; while Western Australia was unrepresented. Tlip first question to be decided was that of how votes were to be counted. I proposed that each colony should have one vote, but was outvoted, and it was decided that each should have three. This proved to be a mistake, as it gave an undue preponderance to Victoria, which colony was represented by the Chief Inspector of Stock, who was not accompanied by any representative of the breeding interest, and gave a block vote upon every subject on which opinions differed. The most important question for discussion was that of the importation of stock from places outside the Australasian Colonies, which, for convenience' sake, we termed "foreign stock." Upon the question of removing the prohibition the Conference was divided ; but the proposal for removal was carried by 10 votes against 8 ; the votes pro being—Queensland, 3; Tasmania, 3; New Zealand, 3; and New South Wales, 1 : while those contra were—Victoria, 3; South Australia, 3; New South Wales, 2. It was accordingly resolved that, in the opinion of the Conference, the prohibition against importation of cattle and sheep from the United Kingdom may, under proper restrictions, be removed, and that the Governments of the several colonies be recommended to give effect to the resolution. It was determined to recommend that goats, deer, and swine should still be prohibited. A precis of regulations under which cattle and sheep should be admitted was settled by the Conference as a recommendation to the various Governments, and will be found in the 35th resolution. For dogs a six months' quarantine is advised. A resolution was passed as to camels which does not interest the people of this colony. With regard to the interchange of stock between the Colonies of Australasia, the recommendations of the Conference which especially affect this colony are that no sheep shall be introduced into any colony from any other colony in which scab exists, and that no colony shall be deemed clean until scab has ceased to exist therein for a period of twelve months. On the question of diseases affecting stock a series of resolutions was passed. Much valuable information was elicited, and papers were read on the subject, which will be found in the full report of the proceedings which we may hope now to receive at an early date from the Government Printer in Sydney. The rabbit question was very fully debated, and much valuable information was interchanged, and will be found in the full report above referred to. In Australia fencing is the most effectual mode of arresting the spread of rabbits, and it is now in contemplation to fence the boundary-line between the Colonies of New South Wales and Queensland : there they have no mountain-torrents, no snow, and but little broken country, which gives them in the matter of fencing an immense advantage over New Zealand. The natural enemies, however, which are found in Great Britain will not succeed in that country. It followed that no resolution could be arrived at applicable to all the colonies interested in this question except the one numbered 39 of the enclosed series, which recommends that a large reward be offered by the colonies collectively for the discovery of some means of destruction more searching and fatal in its effects than anything at present known. Upon this point the Conference was unanimous, and strong and confident hopes were expressed that the Governments of the several colonies would, act vigorously in the matter. Upon the above subjects, and others of minor importance, the Conference passed in all fortynine resolutions, many of which do not affect New Zealand. The subjects treated upon in these resolutions are all of much interest to breeders and owners of stock, and hopes were expressed that such steps as may be necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the Conference, whether by means of legislation, Orders in Council, or otherwise as may be required, will be taken at an early date by the Governments of the various colonies of the Australasian group. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. G. S. Coopee.