1.—12.

168

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getting nothing for our fruit, and we put the fruit in the cool store. If it had not been for the cool store the position might have been very serious. That cool store is one of the most successful things in connection with the industry. To Mr. Hornsby: I think the most vital thing connected with the industry is to make absolutely sure of getting shipping-space for 1920. The Chairman: The Committee will make inquiries in regard to the question of securing shipping-space. To the Chairman: There is no doubt that lemons will do well here, particularly in the Takaka district. A number of the fruitgrowers have put in a few lemon-trees: when they get into bearing they may be sufficient to supply the local market. As to the tobacco industry, 1 think that is a line in regard to which there is going to be a big future. T. A. H. Field, M.P., examined. I will speak about the fishing industry first. We have in the Nelson waters, in Blind Bay, one of the best fishing-grounds in New Zealand. Fish is a wholesome food, but it is exceedingly scarce in Nelson. I think the only way to deal with the fishery difficulty is for the Government to organize a proper Fisheries Department, just as they have organized the Department of .Agriculture and the Dairying Division of that Department. At present our fisheries are mixed up with lighthouses and others branches of the Marine Department, I think if we had a Director of fisheries and a small staff we might get something done, but under the present arrangements nothing is done. 1 think the Government should assist in connection with the insurance of fishingboats, the provision of cool stores and ice-making plant; lend money for the purchase of boats, and help in the supply of fishing-gear. The Government might, also open up fishing-grounds, and devise better systems of marketing. In Canada the Government gives assistance in regard to railway freight, and provision is made for cold-storage cars. We should have plenty of fish in Nelson, but we have very little. To Mr. Sidey: As to cold storage, the Government could help to finance it, and provide places in the different towns, or. assist in connection with such matters. I believe it would be a good thing if the Government could nationalize Hie thing, but I am afraid that would be asking rather too much at the present time. I think it would be a good thing if the State could undertake trawling. The next matter I wish to bring under the notice of the Committee is the Cawthron Institute. I maintain that this is a national matter, and a very important national matter. I would like briefly to explain the position. The late Mr. Cawthron left about £240,000 —subject to some annuities and to some legacies—for the benefit of the people of Nelson, to be devoted to a technical institute. The trustees appointed were members of local bodies in office at the time. That is how I came to be connected with it, The trustees were the Mayor, the Chairman of the County Council, the member for the district, and the Chairman of the Harbour Board. They are permanent trustees. The trustees looked upon it as a very important matter, and they appointed an Advisory Board of Scientists in New Zealand to assist them in the way of giving advice. The names of the members of the Advisory Board are —Professor Benham (Otago University), Dr. L. Cockayne, Professor Easterfield (Victoria University College, Wellington), Dr. P. Marshall (Otago University), Sir James Wilson (President, of the Board of Agriculture), and' Professor Worley (Auckland University College). As you know, there was no opportunity of doing anything during the war. In the first place the trustees ascertained from the Advisory Board that it was impossible to get instruments for the laboratories during the war. In the meantime the trustees have been nursing the estate, and they have increased the income by judicious investments. The income at the present time is between £10,000 and £12,000 a year. When the Institute is under way the whole of that income will be expended in research work for the benefit of the. Dominion. They have established scholarships which are very valuable national matters. It is proposed to appoint at first, a Director, a Chemist, and then a Plant Pathologist and an Orchardist and then increase in the direction that occasion demands. This will not only be economical but it will allow of elasticity in the development of the Institute. The Cawthron Minor Soholai ship will be for three years at least £105 per annum. There will also be a Cawthron Scholar ship for two years of £150 per annum. Then it is proposed to give a Cawthron Fellowship oi, £250 per annum if a candidate of sufficient merit is forthcoming. In seven years- time, when this scheme is in full operation, this will mean a yearly expenditure of—Three minor scholarships, £315; two Cawthron Scholarships, £300; two fellowships, £500: a total of £1,115 per annum, which will mean the interest on a sum of £22,000 devoted to the scientific training and education of students in New Zealand. This'is open to all New Zealand. This should attract a constant stream of University graduates, and should be an important factor in retaining in New Zealand a large proportion of the most able of the New Zealand science graduates who at the present time leave the country'and do not return. When the work of the Institute is well under way great help can be given to technical rural education in the Nelson District by means of lectures, demonstrations, and scientific advice. Courses of lectures could be arranged not only in Nelson, but also in other centres. Practical demonstrations would naturally be made on the experimental grounds owned or controlled by the Cawthron Institute in different parts of the district. As fresh industries take root in the district it will be a natural function of the Institute to help in the establishment and to foster the growth of these industries by carrying out investigations that will assist in their vigorous development. A sum of £12,000 to £15,000 should cover the cost of buildings and equipment, It is proposed to have a large and carefully selected library, which is one of the first needs of a research institute; otherwise a worker may spend weeks, months, or even years in arriving at