H.—43

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attention to the matter, and suggesting that the autunm and spring holidays might be shortened with a view to the extension of the summer vacation. Most of the governing bodies and principals favourably responded, and arrangements are now being made by which a census will be obtained of those boys who are suitable and available with a view that the Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice might arrange for the utilization of their services. Root-seeds. At the request of the Board inquiries have been made-by tho Government in connection with the possible shortage of supplies of root-seeds for next season's agricultural work. Wheat-growing. Some of the Trustee Boards in the Wellington, and Canterbury Districts rendered aid by their efforts to persuade farmers to increase the areas of land cultivated for wheat this year. Machine Tractors. The Minister of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce determined to aid co-operation amongst farmers, and the Board notified his decision to the Boards of Trustees or Committees of Advice that, where one or more settlers certified to by the National Efficiency Board, or by one of its Boards of Trustees, have an area of not less than 500 acres of wheat land suitable for (he operations of a machine tractor, and wishing to purchase one for growing that acreage of wheat, the Agricultural Department will provido such funds on conditions to be arranged as to repayment. At tho instance of the Board the expert voluntary services of a Dominion, agricultural engineer, who was then travelling in Canada, were accepted to investigate for the Government, at the American factories the types of motor tractors now being manufactured. Maize. The Board recommended that inquiries should be made in view of the probable shortage of cereal crops as to the possibility of increasing the quantity of maize grown in suitable parts of the Auckland Province. Australian Fruit-trees. The Board took a considerable amount of evidence in connection with the question of the provision of fruit-trees, and as a result of its investigations recommended the Government, with a view of protecting the nursery industry of the Dominion from undue competition, and the fruitgrowing industry from inferior stock to that raised in the Dominion, to restrict the importation into New Zealand of trees grown in Australia. Tho Board regrets that its proposal was made too late to be put into effect for the present season. It is, however, hoped that, the matter will not be overlooked during the next and following years. Industries, Shipping, Cold Storage, Mining, Supplies. Dairy Industry. In connection with the dairy industry the Board found it necessary to obtain reliable information concerning the butter and cheese factories in the Dominion. An appeal for assistance was made to the Natiomal Dairy Association, and the secretary kindly sent out circulars to all the companies in New Zealand, and finally furnished to the Board a statistical table showing each cheese and dairy factory, the number of men employed therein, together with an analysis showing what men are of military ago, and of the First and Second Divisions, and other particulars. This very valuable information has been of great assistance to the Board, and copies have been furnished to each District Commissioner for his guidance. Shortage, of Coal, and Coal Industry. Respecting the recent, shortage of coal-supplies resulting from labour difficulties, the Government sought the advice of the Board as to the best means of conserving the available coal-supplies and effecting immediate economies in that commodity. The Board went exhaustively into this matter, and under date 16th May reported to the Government recommending the increased development of the coal-mines of the Dominion, the restriction of unnecessary travelling with a view to reducing the steamer services, the suitable reduction of public lighting, shop-window lighting, and evening entertainments. In this connection the Board took the opportunity of emphasizing its previous recommendation that there should be a change in the hours of business obtained by tho alteration of the time in New Zealand. Reafforestation. The Board urged upon the Government that, special provision should be made for the growing of young trees so as to enable reafforestation to be carried on by such returned soldiers as might, be found suitable for the work; further, that the question of reafforestation was one of great, importance to the Dominion, and should be handled in a vigorous manner forthwith by the systematic delimitation of forest areas and the constitution of a special Forestry Department. Kauri-gum and, Dalmatians. The Board took considerable evidence in connection with the kauri-gum industry, and the employment of Dalmatians therein, and in other occupations. After prolonged investigations

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