quite as suitable and extending over an infinitely larger area,^ 

 Victoria may claim to be regarded as the natural habitat of the 

 vine, and it is no empty boast that the industry, as bearing upon 

 our development as a nation, has a direct national importance, and 

 that with a little fostering care its stability will be assured, and 

 it will become one of which any nation might well feel proud. It 

 is on these grounds that I venture to ask you, sir, to give attention 

 and consideration at the close of this Conference to the suggestions 

 which *it may be agreed to lay before you. What viticulture 

 requires at this most critical stage is deeds, not words — prompt, 

 earnest, and energetic action. It is to be devoutly wished that 

 whatever may be determined upon by this representative body, 

 immediate action will be taken by the Legislature, through the 

 very valuable and important Department of Agriculture over which 

 yon preside ; and I venture to predict that should this be done, 

 that action will redound to the credit of Parliament, and an 

 important step will be taken towards the fulfilment of our destiny 

 as a nation. 



Board of Viticulture and Phylloxera. — With your permission 

 it is my intention now to at once direct your attention to a matter 

 that concerns our future welfare most materially, and will submit 

 as a motion — 



" That this Conference of wine-growers approve and request the Hon. the 

 Minister of Agriculture to take immediate steps on the assembling of 

 Parliament to establish an Honorary Elective Board of Viticulture and 

 Phylloxera." 



You will, I think, admit that this is a most important question for 

 this Conference to deal with, and it is necessary that some work- 

 able scheme should be submitted for approval and adoption for the 

 constitution of such a Board on an elective basis. 



Not a New Proposal. — The proposal is by no means a new one. 

 It has been advocated for years by many wine-growers, but up to 

 the present I have not seen any scheme put forward to give the 

 idea practical effect ; so-, with your consent, sir, and that of the 

 meeting, it is my intention, as briefly as possible, to deal with the 

 reasons which induce me to believe that such a Board is of vital 

 necessity. In doing so I submit the proposal with a desire to- 

 pave the way for discussion, in the earnest hope that something 

 will be evolved from it, and that a scheme will be adopted which 

 will not only meet the views of all wine-growers, but to which 

 the Legislature will not hesitate to give the full force of law, that 

 it may become an active and practical benefit to the viticultural 

 industry. The present nominee Board came into existence, as 

 most of you are aware, and held its first meeting on the 16th 

 February, 1888 — a little more than six years ago. It was created 

 by the Department of Agriculture, through the then Minister, the 

 Hon. J. L. Dow, a gentleman to whom the utmost credit is due, 



