8 



In conclusion, he would say that their gre.it aim should be to effectively cope with, or exterminate, 

 the rabhit pest, and they could not do that without putting their hands into their pockets. The first thing 

 they had to do was to got money, and money could only be raised by levying rates. There should be local 

 control; each district fencing in its own rabbits, and dealing with the pest within its boundaries. The 

 next question was the constitution of the Boards. He considered that the Pastures and Stock Boards 

 were not thoroughly representative; these Boards did not represent the small man sufficiently. 



"With regard to the Government representation on the Boards, he would say they must trust the 

 Government. They were not in the habit of appointing inferior men. The Local Laud Boards were a good 

 example of this. They tried to get fair and impartial men men who enjoyed the confidence of the people 

 to fill these positions. It would never do for the control of the Kabbit Bill to te entirely in the hands of 

 private individuals. 



He hoped that the result of their mutual deliberations would be a Bill which would meet with the 

 approval of all classes of the community, and which would be one of public benefit, dealing with this great 

 calamity. 



The Conference proceeded to elect a Chairman. 



It was proposed by Mr. LESLIE and seconded by Mr. ALFRED Bitowx, that Mr. 1\ ~W. Bacoti bo 

 appointed Chairman. 



Mr. Allen Lakemau was proposed by Mr. CUM.MINX; and seconded by Mr. FLANAGAN. 



On the nominations being put to the vote, Mr. Lakeman was elected by 22 votes to 17. 



Mr. ALLEN LAKEMAN then took the chair, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Minister for the 

 manner in which ho had endeavoured to cope with the rabbit pest. 



This was carried unanimously. 



The CHAIRMAN thought that the Bill before them seemed to embody, perhaps with a few amend- 

 ments, the resolutions drawn up by the last Conference. 



Mr. ALISON (Canonbar) said there were a great many present who had not read the Babbit Bill. 

 He thought they should read the Bill before attempting to discuss it. He, therefore, moved, "That the 

 meeting be adjourned." 



Mr. LAURENCE (Balranald) suggested that the delegates representing the different Divisions of the 

 Colony should group themselves together and discuss the Bill. 



Mr. GIBSON (Hay) thought that the Bill should be taken clause by clause. They were in a much 

 better position than the previous Conference. They had in the Bill before them a foundation on which 

 they could work. He came from a part of the Central Division whose interests wore also those of the 

 Western. 



Mr. OAKDEN (Cobar) supported Mr. Alison's motion. 



Mr. TAYLOR objected to Mr. Laurence's proposal, and claimed he had the right to discuss the Bill 

 from start to finish. 



Mr. T. BEOWN, M.L.A. (Budgerabong) proposed, " That the Bill be read clause by clause, and 

 any clause that could not be agreed upon might be considered afterwards." There were a good many clauses 

 in this Bill which will require no alteration at all. 



Mr. CAMERON (Ivanhoe) supported the motion that the Bill be read through. 



Mr. FREEMAN thought the present Kabbit Act should, be taken and compared with the Bill now 

 before them. 



The CHAIEMAN said he would like to make a suggestion. As this was the first day of the meeting, 

 and many of the delegates had only arrived in town that morning, how would it do for them to adjourn 

 till to-morrow morning, so that the representatives of the Central and Western Divisions might be able 

 to discuss the matter among themselves ? 



Mr. CAMEEON (Ivanhoe) then moved, and Mr. GIBSON seconded, ' That the meeting be adjourned 

 till 2 o'clock in the afternoon." 



This motion was carried, and the Conference accordingly adjourned. 



When the Conference met at 2 o'clock, the CHAIRMAN said he would thank some gentleman to 

 suggest some mode of procedure. 



Mr. ALISON (Canonbar) said the representatives of the Central Division had been considering the 

 provisions of the Bill, and as they had not yet finished their deliberations, he would move, "That they 

 adjourn till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning." 



Mr. M'CoLLOUGH (Deniliquin) seconded the motion. 



Mr. GUMMING (Hillston) moved an amendment, " That they should deal with the Bill clause by 

 clause at once." 



Mr. COOK (West Beringerry) seconded the amendment. 



Mr. ALISON (Canonbar) thought it would facilitate matters if the Bill could be gone through 

 privately. He said it would save time if the representatives of the different Divisions could consult 

 together and then submit their conclusions to the Conference. Mr. Taylor could attach himself to any 

 Division he wished. 



Mr. M'COLLOUGH agreed with Mr. Alison. 



Mr. GORMAN (Berrigan) said : If they went through the Bill amongst themselves they would then 

 come back there and go through the whole matter all over again. 



Mr. BOLTON (Wagga Wagga) thought that the idea was that the representatives should meet there 

 in order that they might act in unison. 



Mr. OATLET said he took it from Mr. Alison's proposal that this Bill was to be accepted with 

 variations and amendments ; if not, what was the use of forming themselves into different parties to 

 examine the Bill ? He thought the best thing to do would be to take this Bill with amendments. 



The CIIATEMAN said the motion before him was an amendment on Mr. Alison's motion, to the 

 effect that the business be proceeded with. 



The amendment was carried. 



Mr. GIBSON (Hay) moved, "That the Bill be now taken clause by clause," but ho would like to 

 know whether any amendments could be moved on matters which were not covered by the Bill. 



The CHAIRMAN said any delegate had a right to move any amendmsnt, even on a matter outside the 

 Bill. 



Mr. FLANAGAN (Gunbar) seconded the motion. 



Mr. 



