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a position in public estimation very much higher than was formerly the 
ease. So far, however, as the political work of the central council is con- 
cerned, I would not desire that it should touch party politics; its platform 
would be one which excluded all public questions not immediately affecting the 
individual life of the farmer. Agriculture has now been given a separate 
Government department, with a special Ministerial head. While the farmers 
are forming their local organisations, which would inevitably precede the 
establishment, perhapsfor some time, of the grand council, there is one work which 
the Department might undertake forthwith. In Britain we have organisations 
enabling the Government to issue periodically statements showing the con- 
dition of the labour market in the various trades and centres. This tends to 
check oversupply of labour, and at the sare time to prevent want of it in the 
trades and places enumerated. Now that we are to have the monthly journal 
shortly to be issued by our Agricultural Department, it might publish in each 
issue such information as will lead to the better distribution of farm labour 
and farm produce in this colony. At present men draw Government rations 
in one part of the country, while labour is not procurable in another part. In 
one district we may be wanting maize and other produce and are importing 
it from other colonies, while in another the produce is rotting on the ground, 
because it would not pay to harvest it. If the organisation of farmers did no 
other good than the remedying of such evils and the association of farming 
interests, its establishment would be fully justified. ‘ 
Mr. James Wrtson and several others complimented Mr. Swayne on his 
aper. 
me Mr. Wuiretry stated that some years ago he had tried some of the lines 
advocated by Mr. Swayne in connection with farmers’ associations, but for 
various reasons kad not been successful. Mr. Caswetralso stated that an effort 
had been made to bring the various associations in the Maranoa district into 
closer union; and although the immediate objects of the movement had not 
been accomplished, stiJl a great deal of good had been otherwise done. Mr 
Warr mentioned that the old Fast Moreton Farmers’ Association, about the 
first agricultural society formed in the colony, was constituted on the principle 
adyocated in the paper read. Brisbane was the headquarters of the association ; 
and it had branches at the Logan, the Pine, Oxley, and Moggill. At Brisbane and 
at the branches, meetings were held, at which papers, &c., were read an 
discussed, and the whole organisation worked very well indeed When the present 
National Association was formed, however, the East Moreton Farmers merg 
into it, and this practically closed the branches. The society to which he 
belonged at the present time, however, had only recently formed a branch at 
Mount Cotton, and intended to form similar branches all over the Logan 
district. He thanked Mr. Swayne for his paper, and pointed out that the 
Conference itself had done a great deal to place them more in touch with each 
other all through the colony.’ ‘ 
Mr. Tuywye said that it was only some time ago that he had expressed his 
regret at the fact that farmers were giving up the administration of thet 
shows. He had attended a great many shows during the last year or two, a0 
was quite sure they were generally not held in a way most satisfactory to the 
farming interest. They were not what they ought to be, or what they might 
be made. Very often it appeared they were got up for the purpose ° 
securing the Government grant rather than from any educational object. 
The whole matter was a big subject, but it was one which they, as representa 
tives of agricultural associations, should earnestly consider. Mr. Swayne’ 
idea of branches was a very good one, and by it they could make their influence 
more greatly felt. Again, by a closer union of all the agricultural societies ° 
Queensland it would perhaps be possible to arrange for a grand movable show 1 
be held each year in a different centre of the colony. . Such a show, apart from 
its own immediate uses, would be very helpful in bringing farmers in differeD 
parts of the colony more in touch with each other; and, moreover, it woul 
give them greater facilities for seeing each other's work. In any evenh 
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