PAN-PACIFIC CONGRESS.

Shannon News, 2 October 1923, Page 1

PAN-PACIFIC CONGRESS.

REVIEW OF THE WORK DONEi

Certain phases" of the- agricultural side of the Pan-Pacific Science Congress were touched upon by Mr A. H. Cockayne, Director of the Feilds, Division of the Department of Agriculture in an interview in Wel“So far as agriculture was concerned, it was obvious that the two great features of Australian agriculture, cereal growing, and livestock breeding should command the greatest attention,” he said, “The development of wheat growing in Australia, due to research in cultivation methods, plant breeding, and the use of phosphates, is an outstanding example of the value of scientific effort. All these phases were given full consideration, but probably the most outstanding feature of the agricultural section of the congress was the emphasis given to the control of plant diseases and the intimate relation of the study of plant genetics and plant pathology in the elimination of crop disseases. In this connection the papers of Stakman, Butler, Waterhouse, and Noble were notable contributions and should go far toward stimulating national recognition that work along these lines is essential in agricultural development. “A question that provoked much discussion was consideration of the methods of avoiding the introduction of plant diseases and plant pests. Here again great emphasis was given by many of the delegates of the importance of more accurate knowledge of the distribution of plant diseases and their behaviour under varying conditions, which would lead to a practical and efficient control, rather than relying too much on. the imposition of regulations impossible to enforce sufficiently rigidly to be absolutely effective.

“As was but natural in a country where water conservation is of the utmost importance, irrigation . occupied a considerble place in the meetings. The many intricate problems concerned in irrigation in a sparsely settled country such as .. Australia brought home to one very strongly the advantages of the Dominion in its generally speaking splendid climate.

“In animal breding, and of course also in plant breeding, the proper utilisation of Mendelian principles was certainly one of the big subjects of the meeting, and in this respect the work of Professor Cossar-Ewart in his great animal breeding experiments was most suggestive to a. country like ours where animal breeding plays so large a part in our primary industries.

“The great success of -the congress assures the permanence of such gatherings. Before the meeting terminated, the Japanese Government extended the most cordial invitations to hold the next meeting in Japan in 1926. In discussing the congress one cannot refrain from mentioning the lavish hospitality that was showered on all overseas delegates, and when the time comes to hold the conference: in New Zealand it will be ipdeed hard to in any way live up to the reputation that our Australian friends, both official and private, have established in this connection.”