58 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL [1 Junry, 1902. 
REORGANISATION URGENTLY REQUIRED. 
By our agricultural and pastorai shows we advertise to the world the 
capabilities of our country, and any farmer who neglects to render all the 
assistance that is posssible in his power, cannot be said to be true to himself and his 
own interests, his family, or his country. Therefore, I would urge an action being 
taken first by the Department of Agriculture in establishing a sound basis of workin 
and control, backed up by liberal assistance given in no niggardly fashion, but in sue 
direction that the best efforts and aims of those who are taking an active part in this 
State’s progress may be stimulated in every way possible—by following on the lines laid 
down and approved by the Department of a uniform and comprehensive nature a 
practical scheme for which I am prepared to submit. ; 
2. By the renewed energy of our local societies centralising and combining to 
work together with this object in view, of being the chief educational factor in their 
respective districts, and ably represented on the council of this State’s leading society, — 
by a duly qualified delegate, who knows his district and its urgent requirements, and © 
who will use his best endeavours to see that the productions of his district are brought 
forward and exhibited in the best manner possible. 
3. By the farmers and producers themselves joining and giving every assistance 
possible to your local committees. If our farmers do not meet together, and by an 
exchange of ideas and opinions endeavour to provide against such contingencies as the _ 
present drought, losses must go on till they spell ruin to themselves, and a serious loss 
to the State at large. 
Srare ASSISTANCE. 
_ _.Then in view of the importance of organising our farmers. in the direction 
indicated, we must acknowledge that of ourselves we are almost powerless, and in our 
extremity we look to the Department and the State to further our objects. 
_ _ If the expenditure of a few thousand pounds annually in the way of subsidy, 
rightly applied, educates the people, by practical demonstration even in the way of 
stoving and preserving fodders, which in good and even ordinary seasons grow so 
prolifically here, or, if the expenditure of State funds helps to educate our people to 
avert the results of disastrous climatic conditions and influences, by giving instruction 
in water conservation, irrigation, drainage, &c., which would help to partly advert the 
serious losses we are now suffering under, I am sure that no reasonable objection 
can be offered. ~ 
It is for those societies who have received subsidies and special grants for certain 
objects that may have now been achieved, that assistance is no longer required. 
It is well known that in the first few years of the existence of a society, assistance 
is more necessary, because the expenditure and work of organising are sometimes very 
severely felt. Such work could very reasonably, and should be undertaken by the 
Department, as is now the case in Canada, where the farmers’ clubs and societies are 
legalised and recognised by the State Government, and assisted in every way possible, 
The farmers of a district in Canada desiring to form a club or association, have the 
assistance of an organiser specially appointed for such a purpose by the Canadian 
Government, who also have authorised 2 model code of rules laid down for their 
guidance. A member’s ticket is interchangeable between the various clubs or 
societies. In 1896 there were no less than 509 clubs in operation, with 39,284 
members, and these clubs spent for agricultural purposes about £19,702, including 
£957 !or the purchase of thoroughbred animals. The same system is now in vogue in 
Denmark, mal is now introduced into the agricultural system in Ireland. very 
assistance is being given by the State to the local society, who send their delegates to 
the central institution to make known their wants and requirements. 
Mr. W. P. Cooxstry (Brisbane) considered Mr. Corrie’s paper a very 
valuable one. He had no doubt that the fruitgrowers of Queensland were 
largely indebted to the Fruit and Economic Plant Growers’ Association for the 
remission of harbour dues on all green fruit from Queensland ports. The 
Chamber of Agriculture had also done much good in obtaining concessions from 
the steamship companies, which, individually, the fruitgrowers could not have 
obtained. ; 
Mr. H. A. Tarpenrr (Dallarnil) discussed Mr. Peek’s paper, and said that 
no district should be without a local society, but that all should work in harmony 
swith the National Association. He would support the movement for the 
federation of the agricultural societies of Queensland. 
jugs Mr. W. R. Roprysox (Toowoomba) said it was always difficult to get 
farmers to unite for their own welfare. He hoped farmers would realise the 
