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PL—29a

of Agriculture, together with the prospects of further advantage to be expected from the farm, that the land should be sold, as it is not likely to be of any practical assistance to the agricultural community in the future." We were subsequently advised by Dr. Reakes that it had been decided to cut this farm up into small blocks suitable for poultry-keepers, the Department retaining about 14 acres for a poultry-station to give advice to poultry : keepers. The Moa Seed-farm, in Otago, was, however, considered to be in a different category. We discussed three alternatives in connection with, this farm : (1) For the Lands Department to resume possession of the land and use it to the best advantage ; (2) to run the farm as an experimental farm, so called ; and (3) to run the place as a commercial seed-growing farm. The necessity for producing pure seed of the different varieties of grasses and cereals being of such importance to farmers, it was thought it would be inadvisable to close a farm that had been specially designed for this purpose, and which already showed very promising results. Wo thought that under careful management such a seed-farm in Otago could be made a commercial success, and if it were subsequently deemed advisable to sell it or lease it arrangements might be made to dispose of it to some company who would agree to work it on similar lines to those that had been adopted at Svaloff, in Sweden. We accordingly resolved, " That, with regard to the Repatriation, Department's Otago farm (Moa Seed-farm), the Board of Agriculture is of opinion that as a seed-farm this should be taken over by the Department'of Agriculture, but that as far as possible it is desirable that the farm should not clash with the work of Lincoln College. After a few years it would be well to consider (1) whether it should be continued as a Government farm, or (2) sold to some company which would continue the work." Dr. Rcakes later informed us that a committee had offered to take this farm over and to run it as a seed-farm at their own expense for a term of five years, with a view to demonstrating what could be done in the way of up-to-date seed-growing. We were gratified to hear of this, and forwarded you the following resolution : " That the Board hears with satisfaction that the public-spirited offer of the committee to take over the Moa Seed-farm for five years is likely to be accepted by the Government. The Board is convinced that it is of the utmost importance to the future of farming in New Zealand that farmers sow the highest grade of pure seeds, and this seed-farm, in a district which is eminently suited for the growth of seeds, is likely to foster the use of pure seed." Present System op Working and Expenditure op Department of Agriculture. We had a very lengthy discussion with Dr. Reakes regarding the general activities of the Department, and the steps which have been in progress for some time past for curtailing the. departmental expenditure without reducing its practical value to the country. Dr. Reakcs furnished us with detailed information which enabled members to obtain a close insight into the many and varied activities of the Department, and the lines on which economies in expenditure had been and were still being brought about. In this connection the opinion was expressed that educational and instructional work was of particular value at the present time, and that no curtailment of this should take place. It was finally decided to pass the following motion and to forward tho same on to you : " Having regard to the fact that increased production is necessary to meet our engagements, any expenditure in the education of the farmer or tho necessary inspection in connection with food and the food exports should not be curtailed. If it is in the opinion of the Minister absolutely necessary to reduce expenditure in the Agriculture Department, the Board considers that the least objectionable reduction would be in not enforcing the Noxious Weeds Act, except that the eradication of blackberry should be continued, and that the Act should be recast in this direction." The question of the simplification of accounts of the experimental farms was also fully discussed with Dr. Reakes and the Accountant of the Department of Agriculture. Several points were raised by members of the Board which required consideration, and the subject was left over for a further conference, in the hope that some simplification might be made in the methods at present employed, and the whole of the accounts so arranged as to lighten the work of the departmental officers and reduce tho cost of management. Meat Pooling and Marketing Scheme. At your invitation we attended meetings of producers and others interested, which were held on the 20th December, 1921, and the 10th January, 1922, regarding the meat pooling and marketing scheme. The conference convened by you, which was held on the 20th December, 1921, in your room in the Parliamentary Buildings, was a preliminary meeting to consider the question of the compulsory pooling of the meat of the Dominion. The parliamentary Committee which had been dealing with the question was present, also representatives of the standing producers' committee, meat-freezing companies, Sheepowners' Federation, Dairy Association, mercantile firms, as well as meat-buyers. Mr. D. Jones, M.P., took the chair at the meeting, and outlined the Government's proposals. After an exhaustive discussion the following resolution was carried, with one dissentient: " That this meeting endorses the proposals of the Government to make a compulsory pool of the meat of the Dominion." At the close of this meeting the chairman stated that another and larger meeting would be held after the New Year to further consider the proposals. It was thought advisable, instead of the Board sending out invitations to the various bodies connected with agriculture and to representative men, that meetings of producers should be held in the various districts, and' that delegates to a, conference be appointed by such meetings, to make it as

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