International Institute

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 June 1915, Page 3

International Institute

of Agriculture

(.Kroni the Journal of the Board of

Agriculture.)

The new season of the Institute was opened by a meeting: ot the Permanent Committee on the 31st Ootobcr. which was followed by a second meeting on the 7th (November. At the first .meeting tho President, the" Marquis Cappelh

(the representative .of Italy), urged upon the delegates, and especially upon those who represent States now at war with ea&h other, the duty that lies upon them-in the present circumstances of working together with the single aim of accomplishing the beneficent objects of the Institute, so as to give the world the most accurate information possible regarding the outturn of, and trade in, agricultural produce, and aid the countries devastated by war to reestablish their means of production ae.. soon as the war is over. He also an-, notinced that"the Senate and House of Representatives of thu United States had passed n joint resolution instructing their delegates to request : lie IVrtr > take steps to call together an intrnatiois'il c< nt'ewneo f<3 consider the advisability o- drawing up n convention for the establishment of an International Commerce Commission, having consulative, deliberative, arid advisory powers regarding ocean trade and ocean freights, with the object of giving greater stability to +.he prices of agricultural "produco throughout the world. it was decided to defer discussion of this important until Mt liiibin (the United States representative) was himself able to be present.

Tho General (Secretary, presented a report on the working of the Institute during the vacation then ended, and gave an account of the difficulties which had been experienced, owing to the outbreak of war, in carrying on its regular duties. Of the hundred or so members of the pernmnent staff, whe are drawn fr6m many different countries although eighteen had been snmmonod /to mnjjtary service under their respective flags. „ Besides tin's, there had been a great falling-off in the amount of material available, in the shape of statistics and reports, for the preparation of the monthly bulletins. Everything possible had been done, however, to continue the work, and to publish bulletins with all the information avn.ilaole and with the least possible delay

Careful consideration was given to til* financial position of the Institute which is temporarily embarrassed oiv'ing to delay on tho part of several of the adhering Governments in paying the contributions fine from , them for the calendar year 1914 ; but as there fa reason to expect'that most of,them will pay up their- arrears within the next few months, and as the Reserve Fmul-rm the 30th September .amounted to over £20,000 it, was not thought necessary to stop any of the work al present being carried on By the Institute The Governments in arrears are being aeked to remit tlioir contributions as soon as" possible, and tho General Secretary has been called upon to "exercise, the greatest economy possible in. all branches of the expenditure. Progress, however, ■will continue to be made in the etudy of the questions which are being prepared- for discussion at the next general assembly, such as the unification... of the °f collecting agricultural statistic, the collection of statistics regarding milk and. its principal products and visible* - and invisible etocke, Consumption and prices of meat. chemical manures, farming accounts, protection against locusts, and maritime freights for tho conveyance of agricultural" produce.