Miscellaneous. 



248 



[April 1907. 



"In these circumstances an International Bureau would be of the greatest 

 assistance ; a Bureau, which, devoid of any political object, would aim at studying 

 the conditions of agriculture in the various countries of the world, and would notify 

 periodically the quantity and the quality of the crops, in such a way that production 

 would be aided, transport rendered cheaper and quicker, and a more convenient 

 basis established for the determination of prices. This Bureau, acting in accordance 

 with the various departments of State concerned with agriculture, would also 

 furnish precise information on the condition of the labour market in different places, 

 so that emigrants would have a useful and reliable guide ; would promote agree- 

 ments for the common protection against those diseases of plants and cattle which 

 measures undertaken locally are unable to cope with successfully ; and in the last 

 place would encourage, when the opportunity offered, the development of rural 

 co-operation, assurance, and agricultural credit. 



" The beneficial effects of a Bureau of this kind, which, as a bond of solidarity 

 between all agriculturists, would be a weighty element in favour of peace, would be 

 far-reaching. Rome would be a worthy seat for the Bureau, where the representa- 

 tives of the adherent States and of the principal agricultural associations would 

 meet, and harmonize the authority of the Government with the free energy of the 

 cultivator of the soil." 



The Conference for the further consideration of the proposal was formally 

 opened at Rome on the 20th of May, 1905, forty different States being represented. 

 The following gentlemen acted as delegates of Great Britain, viz :— His Excellency 

 the Right Hon. Sir E. Egerton, g.c.m.g., k.c.b, ; the Right Hon. the Earl of 

 Jersey, g.cb., g.c.m.g, ; the Right Hon. the Earl of Minto, g.c.m.g. ; Sir Thomas 

 Elliott, k.c.b. ; T. P. Gill, Esq., while Sir Edward Buck, K.C.S.I., represented the 

 interests of the Government of India. 



The programme of matters to be considered by the Conference comprised : — 



(1) Constitution and organization of the International Institute of Agri- 

 culture. 



(2) Functions of the Institute. 



(a) To notify periodically information concerning agricultural produce, 

 conditions of labour, disease of plants and cattle. 



(b) To facilitate from the international point of view the organization and 

 movement of rural co-operation, insurance, and agricultural credit. 



(c) To propose, on its own initiative or on the invitation of Governments, 

 international measures and institutions for the protection of the interests common 

 to the agriculturists of all countries, taking into consideration also the views 

 expressed by the International Congress of Agriculture. 



(d) To exercise the other functions which already form the object of the 

 large agricultural associations, and with which the Institute could deal independently 

 of the action of different Governments. 



(3) Financial resources of the Institute. 



These subjects were discussed and reported upon by committees and sub- 

 committees of the delegates, and their conclusions were embodied in an " Acte Final," 

 which it was arranged should be submitted by the Italian Government for the 

 consideration of the various Powers. 



According to this document the International Agricultural Institute is to be 

 an official institution, in which each country adhering shall be represented by 

 delegates of its own selection. 



Whilst limiting its action to international questions it is to be the duty of 

 the Institute ;— 



