H.—29,

When a general scheme of research is decided upon the question of discovering the problems for investigation and the dissemination of the findings of the research workers must also be considered. There must be a continuous link between laboratory and field-work and the farmer. The facial-eczema campaign again provides the basis of an organization which will keep this link intact. The farmers' representatives on the management committee are closely associated with the problems and viewpoint of the man on the land, and can influence any research along lines which are of the greatest practical benefit. The field officers of the Department also provide a link with research and the farmer, and in any comprehensive scheme they will be the most valuable liaison between science and practice. The farmer is the first to discover the problem, the field officer is able to group its ramifications and report back to the team of specialists, and when knowledge or information of value is discovered by research, then the field officer s duty is to see that it is both disseminated and put into operation in general farm-management. Naturally it would be impossible to have a staff of field officers large enough to give each farmer individual instruction, and his work of spreading new knowledge must be supplemented by a publicity campaign. The Department has extended its publicity services considerably during the past twelve months, and the outstanding feature of its work in this direction has been the reorganization of the Journal of Agriculture, which has been converted from a semi-scientific, semi-instructional publication into a journal of farm instruction providing a continuous flow of information in every branch of farming activity. The scientific principles of the work of the departmental officers have not been abandoned, but they are being presented in a manner which is proving attractive to the farming community. Since the change-over the Journal has won the support of a wide circle of readers, and the increases in number of subscribers continue unabated. The Department is also grateful to the press and the National Broadcasting Service for the help they have given in the spreading of advice and information. When an organization of the nature outlined has been brought into being there then arises the question of administration, and past experience points to the necessity of unified control. It is considered that the greatest efficiency and co-ordination can be achieved when the whole of the research, field, and instructional services for one particular industry are directed from one department. The facial-eczema investigation gives support to this contention. This work is being carried out under the administration of the Department of Agriculture with the valuable aid of a management committee, and the experience which has been gained in the planning of this investigation justifies confidence in proposing its extension in relation to the pressing problems which are facing the agricultural and pastoral industries at the present time. Central control with the addition of committees of management comprising both experts and farmers, the organization of scientific workers into groups instead of isolated units, and the linking-up of research with the farm are the essential steps towards the elimination from our pastoral activities losses which are not only impairing efficient production, but also threatening to set back the main source of national income. On behalf of the Director-General and myself I wish to record our appreciation of the manner in which all officers of the Department have carried out their duties during the year. The need for co-operation among the various divisions and sections of the Department has been fully realized, and the response in this direction has been most gratifying. E. J. Fawoett, Acting Director-General.

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