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regenerated by meaus of resistant stocks, are novr again in a 

 flourishing condition. I must say that it is difficult to understand 

 the apparent indifference of some of our more important country 

 associations on a question of such vital importance to their 

 interests. Of this, however, we may rest assured, that unless we 

 organize our forces and attack the enemy it will not be long in 

 attacking us. The policy of indifference or laissez-faire is 

 suicidal, for the enemy never rests for long, and before the first 

 shoots of spring are on the vine he will be up and on the warpath 

 in ever increasing numbers. There is one point in connexion 

 with the question of an Elective Board of Viticulture having 

 definite powers, functions, and responsibilities which I have not 

 alluded to, and that is the question of finances. In order to 

 render these adequate to the requirements of the industry it will 

 be necessary that the growers should contribute a certain quota 

 towards the revenue needed to defray the general expenses of the 

 Board, the services of its members being purely honorary. There 

 is, however, no reason to suppose that the vine-growers will be 

 unwilling to meet their obligations in this respect, or to contribute 

 towards the expense of protecting and advancing their own 

 interests so long as they have a voice in the election of their own 

 representatives and derive some practical advantages from their 

 services. 



Mr. West said that before he read his paper he wished to 

 compliment the Great Western Association for the plucky step 

 they had taken in calling this Conference together. They had 

 rendered great assistance to the industry, and be would be much 

 surprised if great advantage did not accrue from this meeting. 

 He then read the following paper—" Hints on the Constitution 

 and Functions of a Viticultural Board": — 



In constituting a Board of Viticulture, I am strongly of opinion 

 that its sphere of work should be confined to matters pertaining 

 ^ the culture of the vine and all its products and to that alone. 

 To tack on to it work in connexion with orchard products would 

 not only weaken its effectiveness in regard to the control and 

 encouragement of viticulture, but would also cause it to attempt 

 work m connexion with fruit-growing that could be infinitely 

 hotter done by a board of specialists called into operation for that 

 particular purpose. In California, where the idea of a Viticul- 

 tural Board was first obtained, this has been their experience. 

 In 1880 the Viticultural Board was founded; in 1881 power was 

 given to the Board to form an Advisorv Committee of fruit- 

 growers, to work under and with the Viticultural Board. Expe- 

 rience, however, soon showed that the result was unsatisfactorr, 

 and therefore, m 1883, the Horticultural Board, wholly composed 



