11

fl.—29a

Conclusion.

In concluding our report we wish to take this opportunity of saying that any section of the farming community has only to bring under the Board's notice any matter pertaining to agriculture and the allied industries and it will have the Board's immediate attention. We are desirous of doing all we can to assist in the development of the immense natural resources of the Dominion, in which agriculture fills a most important and, at the present time particularly, a national place. But for the war much more might have been done. We are aware that the energies of the Government have been devoted to assisting in bringing the struggle in Europe to a satisfactory conclusion, consequently the reorganization of the Department of Agriculture and inany domestic matters have had to stand aside for a time. We hope, however, that this will not be made the excuse for delay in furthering the great object of the increase of our products. This can only be done by the advancement of knowledge, and we should not "wait and see" in anything of an educative character which will teach producers how to assist the Dominion by increasing its wealth. Amongst other subjects of which no special mention has been made in this report, but which have been dealt with by the Board, are — Scholarships for New Zealand youths to attend Melbourne Veterinary University. Instruction by Department of Agriculture specialists to boys taking the. agricultural course at the Technical High. School, Christchureh. Conference with Lincoln College Board of Governors on extending the scope of the College. Scholarship-holders taking an agricultural course at Lincoln College. Learners at the State experimental farms. Junior judging competitions. Opening up of fresh markets for New Zealand stud stock. Restrictions on introduction of live-stock from Great Britain on account of foot-and-mouth disease. Worm-nests in cattle in Australia, and steps to prevent its introduction into New Zealand. New Zealand live-stock exhibit at Panama-Pacific Exhibition. Regulations regarding quarantine, &c, of live-stock introduced into New Zealand. Improvement of horse stock of New Zealand by subsidizing approved pedigree sires. Registration of stallions. Encouragement of horse-breeding for military purposes. Restriction on removal of cattle affected with contagious abortion. Compulsory analysis of stock foods and condiments. Legislation for the registration of veterinary surgeons. Identification in outside markets of meat exported from New Zealand. Establishment of model dairy farm in Taranaki. Purchase of additional land at Moumahaki Experimental Farm. Reservation of Crown land at Grove Bush for agricultural-education purposes. Land for closer settlement in Waiau Valley, Southland. Crown lands and State plantations, Taupo and Rotorua. Irrigation in Central Otago. . v Afforestation of the Central Plateau of the North Island. Local agricultural committees to work in conjunction with Department of Agriculture. Summarizing and publication of agricultural experiments. Agricultural methods in the United States of America. Displays by Department of Agriculture at outdoor shows. Dwellings for rural workers. Government assistance to immigrants. Government assistance to small farmers desirous of netting their properties. Appointment of additional Poultry Instructors. Bonus for discovery of phosphate-deposits. Professor Bottomley's bacterized peat experiments. Experiments to determine most effective substitute for basic slag. Abolition of "differential rating on Australian hardwood timber carried on. the railways. Control of apiary at Ruakura Farm. Collection by school-children of grass and other seeds. Government grading of grain. Wheat and oat stocks in the Dominion. Requisitioning of cheese for the Imperial Government. Fencing Act in connection with rabbit-proof fences. South American market for apples. Yours faithfully, James G. Wilson, President of the Board.