SHEEP INDUSTRY

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1947, Page 5

SHEEP INDUSTRY

■press Association

Royal Commission Set Up To Make Inquiry

By Teleorapn-

WELLINGTON, Aug. 6. A Royal Commissiph oh the sheep ihdustry has beetti appoihted, and annoimcing this today the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Cullen, .3aid the personnel wiil be as follows; — Chairrriahl Mr. R. H. White, Of Ot/^116 Members J Hon. R. Eddy, M.L.C., of Wellington, and Messrs. L. C. Gardiner, of Waiau, W. P. Metcalfe, of Te Araroa, W/" A. Scaife, of Wdhaka, and H. W. Youren, of Napier. Thei economist-secretary to the commission vfill be Mr. L. W. Woods, of the Department of Agriculture. The commission will inquire into and report upon conditions in and Jxisting laws relating to or affectmg the sheep farming industry in New Zeaiand including: (1) The availabiliiy of land for Iheep farming and the opportunities available for taking up land for such a purpose. (2) The condition and possible improvement of any lands used or capable of being used for sheep farming and particularly the deterioration of ahy such land, especially high and hill gouhtry land, whether by erosion of the soil, the secondary grow.h of trees oh plants, the spread of noxious weeds, rabbit depletion or any other causes, and the methods of improving or regenerating such land. (31 The production of the industry and methods of maintaining and increasing such production, whether by better management, increased topdressing, improved pastures or by any other means. (4) The availability, efficiency and utiiisation of labbuf, both permanent and casual, in the industry whh special reference to the drift of rural population and the possibility and means of attracting labour to the country, including the improvemeiit of rural housing and ihe provision of community social and recreational amenities comparable with those of the towns. The commission will also report on the steps it might deem practicable and desirable to meet such detrimental conditions as it might find to exist in the industry, and on what measures it might deem necess.ary or expedient to improve the conditions of;the sheep farming industrv and td promote the welfare of persoiis engaged ih the industry. . The Minister Said the ■ commission would be able to commence in the near futuxe, 'thOugh no dottbt much prepargtwv .work would be necessary befo.re ''Thblic sittings could be arranged-. J ■