62 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juny, 1901. 
GENERALLY—CHAIRMAN, ke. ’ 
While much depends upon the chairman, the success: of the proceedings in 
practice will lie in the hands of delegates themselves. 
The chairman’s position is no enviable one. When the business is through—like 
the umpire at a football match—he will have borne the main burden of the day. 
Many of the duties involved being of a delicate nature, unless the chairman gets 
loyal support from all present his position will be unfairly trying. 
While the formulation of the Conference lies with the association, the chairman 
will have under his direction the primary important discussions. 
All present should earnestly try to elicit the utmost amount of information on 
each subject. 
Much loss of time will be avoided if delegates— 
(a) Would not speak unless having experience in the subject under discussion, 
or unless desirous of securing information. 
(4) Would consider beforehand what they wish to sav, and then say the same 
as clearly and tersely as possible. 
(c) Endeavour to speak closely to the question. 
While a discussion on a discussion is to be deprecated, sometimes it happens in 
this way the most valuable points can be brought out. 
At a Conference strict rules of debate cannot be always slavishly followed. 
The chairman can only to a limited extent guide the debate. e will require to 
act firmly at one time and with a fairly elastic rein at another, in order to get the best 
results, and to this end it is necessary that he be capable of quickly gauging the 
individualities of delegates. 
Horticulturists are sometimes a little difficult to handle. They appreciate neither 
* eoaxing nor driving. Though for his own special benefit, the man who does not hear 
very well has to be cajoled up into a front seat. Those who can ie hints of the most 
value are often very diffident about speaking, while aman of shallow attainments may 
wish to talk all along the line. 
How often, too, are instances seen when the item of greatest value in the whole 
discussion was only given forth by a man after he had nearly exhausted his time limit 
with a mere repetition of things already said or well known. 
The two bears are very welcome guests at a Conference. Noroom should be made 
for politics at a Conference. 
SHOWS. 
Whilst a show will throw heavy extra work upon some delegates, for the reason 
before given it is very desirable to hold a show in conjunction with a Conference. 
Exhibits should include those pertinent to the work of the Conference. 
Exhibits of up-to-date horticultural machinery, appliances, processes, and 
manufactures should be made a feature of the show. 
Certificates of merit are preferable to money prizes. 
In most cases single judges are preferable. 
For educational purposes—where there is no ill-feeling or dispute between 
exhibitors—at the chairman’s discretion, the reasons leading up to the judges’ 
decision are to be given by the judge if desired by the Conference. 
No conference work should take place the evening before or on the morning that 
the show is opened. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. J. McPuxrrson (Rockhampton): I have no doubt that Conferences 
are a great value, provided they are carried out properly, and if reeommenda- 
tions which we may make are taken notice of. I do not suppose that any 
recommendation that is not practical can be dealt with practically. There was 
a Conference in Rockhampton some three years ago. There were two sections, 
the farming section being presided over by Mr. Chataway, and the stock 
section by Mr. P. R. Gordon. At the latter we submitted several reeommenda- 
tions, and, after discussion, these were passed and recommended. Amongst other 
things dealt with were the Marsupial Destruction Act, the tick question—which 
at that time was a live one—the Noxious Plants Act, and many others. We 
never heard what became of those recommendations I made inquiry some time 
ago in Brisbane into the matter, and found they had been pigeon-holed. But 
the recommendations that had come from the agricultural section were dealt 
with, so I] understand. If that is how recommendations are to be treated, I 
do not see the use of Conferences. I thoroughly believe in Conferences, how- 
ever, if their recommendations are properly attended to. 
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