14 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL [lL Jury, 1901, 
in our productive industries. In the motion which I put before the meeting I 
ask the Conference to express the opinion that the organisation of persons 
engaged in arable agriculture and rural industries is desirable. I do Not 
anticipate there will be any difference of opinion on this point. In bringing 
this subject before the members of the Rockhampton Agricultural Society [_ 
pointed out the various ways and for what purposes the producers of other 
countries have associated themselves. Having furnished the Agricultural 
Societies of Queensland with reports of my remarks on that oceasion, I do not 
consider I should trespass on your time by repeating them now. It has been 
remarked that the amalgamating influences of these Conferences are very slight. 
Gentlemen come here from all parts of the colony, and discuss subjects of 
social, economic, and material interest to farmers, but they take no decided 
action in regard to them. It may be asked, Who is to take action when the — 
Conference is over? The Committee of Resolutions at the lust Conference, 
“having duly considered the question of Government assistance to farmers, 
begged leave to recommend that a Bill be introduced into Parliament making 
provisions for affording financial assistance to agriculturists on such lines ag — 
may be considered suitable by the Government.” That resolution was carried, — 
It does not appear who was to prepare the Bill, and who was to engineer ity — 
intreduction and approbation by Parliament? This absence of duty and 
responsibilitv arises trom want of organisation in connection with the 
agricultural industry.  [ propose that the Business Committee of this 
Conference consider and prepare a scheme which would promote practical] 
and permanent union among the farmers of Queensland. What form the 
organisation should assume, what are the objects it should seek to accomplish, 
and how it should essay to realise these, I will leave to the Committee to 
consider, and, if they think proper, to determine. In discussing the matter 
with my fellow-members in the Rockhampton Agricultural Society, I suggested 
that the combination should take the form of a Chamber of Agriculture with 
branches in all parts of the State. We have a sort of precedent for this 
proceeding in the constitution of an Australian Chamber of Commerce, 
to which the Chambers in all the States have the privilege of 
sending delegates or representatives. I am in favour of the formation 
of a Chamber of Agriculture, because, by that means, agriculturists 
all over Queensland might be united into a large and useful association. Our 
Chambers of Commerce have for their aims the promotion and protection of 
the commerce of the country, and of all the interests connected with it. They 
seek to accomplish these purposes by considering and discussing all questions 
connected with trade, commerce, and manufactures, and by circulating infor- 
mation respecting those of Queensland and the locality with which each is 
connected. To accomplish similar objects in connection with the great agricul- 
tural industry, in all its branches, ought to be the chief aim of the Chamber of 
Agriculture and its branches. Chambers of Commerce are deliberative and 
educational. Having discussed a subject affecting the trade or commerce of 
the country, or of some district, they place upon record their opinions regarding 
it, and, through their local parliamentary representatives, have them submitted to 
authorities with whom it may be desired they should have weight. The Chamber 
of Agriculture and its branches should, in my opinion, be of a similar character ; 
and its chief aims should be to give expression to the views of agriculturists on 
all matters in which they may be immediately interested, and the dissemination 
of accurate and reliable information regarding the practice of agriculture, 
&c., &e. Such are the character and aims of the Chamber of Agriculture in the 
United Kingdom and of similar institutions in other countries | think it not 
improbable that some members of this Conference may be desirous of forming _ 
a combination of an economic, mercantile, co-operative character. ‘‘ Co-opera- - 
tion for Farmers” and illustrations of the advantages of co-operation 
have been brought under your notice, and, I doubt not, have received attention. 
The grangers of the United States will at once occur to many delegates. It 
was calculated that in 1871 there were 30,000 local granges in all the States 
