CO-ORDINATION OF RESEARCH

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 12

CO-ORDINATION OF RESEARCH

ANIMALS, PLANTS, AND SOILS ADVISORY SUPERVISION OF COUNCIL AGRICULTURAL DIVISION APPOINTED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 14. The appointment of an agricultural division of the Research Council to supervise, in an advisory capacity, programmes of research into animal, plant, and soil problems, more particularly in the expenditure of public funds, was announced to-day by the Minister for Scientific and Industrial Research (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). The division is to consist of the following members:—Professor W. Riddet and Sir Theodore Rigg. of the Research Council; Messrs A. H. Cockayne-and E J Fawcett, of the Department of Agriculture; Mr Norton Francis, chairman of the council of the School of Agriculture: Messrs A. Linton and C. A. Marchant.v of the Dairy Board; Mr W W. Mulholland, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union; Mr J. D. Ormond, jun., of the Meat Board; Mr Alan Grant, a co-opted member; and the chairman of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Professor H. G. Denham, who will be an ex-officio member. , “For some time past,** said Mr Sullivan, “it has been apparent that the health of stock in New Zealand, as in other countries, is becoming more difficult to maintain, and the drain of stock diseases has increased in economic importance. The attack of the investigational offlcei’s, mostly of the Department of Agriculture, has been concentrated on efforts to minimise stock losses; but it has become apparent that the research programme must embrace consideration of animals, plants, and soils, if the subject is to be treated in a comprehensive manner.” Dr, Hammond’s Report

Mr Sullivan said that, as a result of the report submitted by Dr. J. Hammond. of the University of Cambridge, the queston of research relative to animal diseases in particular, and primary industries in general, was receiving considerable attention. Following on careful consideration and discussions with the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin), it had been decided that steps should be taken further to co-ordinate the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and of the agricultural colleges and the Cawthron Institute. The first step was the establishment of an agricultural division of the Research Council, although the activities of the Plant Research Bureau and the Soils Division would continue. A special management committee had been set up to report upon the work at present in progress in New Zealand in the various phases of animal diseases and production, and to suggest the lines of work necessary for a more comprehensive attack on the problems involved. Mr M. M. Cooper, a Rhodes Scholar, and formerly of Massey College, had been appointed secretary of the committee on animal research. The diagnostic and veterinary pathological aspects of the organisation would be dealt with at Wallacoville. and other important work would be carried out at Ruakura under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture; but certain problems relating to aspects of animal nutrition and production would be centred 'in the agricultural colleges.