BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 131, 5 February 1915, Page 4

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

IMPORTANT MATTERS JHSc nssii D. THE WHEAT PROBLEM, PROVISION OF SHIPPING- ACCOMOMCOATION. RURAL EDUCATION. (By Telegraph.I—Press 1 —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The Beard of Agriculture held several meetings in Wellington during the past week, when a.number of matters that had been referred to it by the Minister for Agriculture and various public bodies were carefully considered and dealt with. Amongst other questions that had been submitted to the Board was that of the supply of wheat Mr Triggs,assistant public service commissioner

specially appointed to assist the Government . about this matter and Mr M. Fraser, Government statistician, were in attendance, and supplied the Board with the fullest particulars as to the wheat requirements the stocks in hand, and the Government importations during January and February, with an estimate of the current harvest, which showed that the stocks in November last were 20 per cent, less than the stocks in November, 1913, and that there would probably be .a shortage again about the end of the current year. The action of the Government had averted any immediate scarcity, but as far as could be determined frem the information available it would still bo necessary to import further supplies towards the end of the year, unless the yields are much greater than the information at present available warrants the Government in expecting. The effect of fixing the prices had acted as an immediate deterrent on any further sowing, and so indirectly the supply, and it was considered probable that if the market were left open it would result in a much larger area being sown the following year, and thus restore the equilibrium, and so reduce prices. The Board cf Agriculture, therefore, recommended the Government to remove restrictions on the sale cf wheat for this year’s crop, and to publish the information now available, and that may become available from time to time, both as to local stocks and the pi ice at which the Government can import, and also that the Government arrange to import any wheat required to make good the local shortage and to sell it at not less than cost. Farmers would thus be assured cf getting the import price. The shipping question was also very exhaustively discussed, and a conference (presided ever by the Prime Minister), was held with the representativs cf the shipping companies doing business in New Zealand (as published) It was suggested, however, that if cn further inquiry there was likely to be any shortage of vessels steps should be taken as early as possible to notify the country settlers so that they

might make arrangements to hold over some c.f their stock for later boats. It is hoped that the tine rains that fell on Friday last in the northern and east coast districts may help to relieve the situation. Agricultural experiments and demonstrations were received from Mr G. Hcgben, C.M.G., Director of Educaition, and the Board had a lengthy interview with Dr Anderson, assistant inspector-general of schools, with regard to a very progressive and liberal offer that had been made by the Ashburton High School Board of a portion of its reserve for the purpose of initiat. mg a series of agricultural experiments and demonstration plots near the school, at the close of which it was decided to recommend the Minister to Bike advantage of this offer. Hr lleakAJ, D.V. So., M.F,C.V.S,‘, Director of the live stock division of the Department cr Agriculture, gave the Board a full account of the serious spread of worm nests in cattle in Australia A full discussion cf this subject ensued, when the opinion was expressed that the risk of this trouble spreading to New Zealand was such ?. serious one and so difficult, to prevent that it might be necessary to prohibit the introduction of live stock from the Commonwealth. The sub-committee appointed to deal with the regulations under the Remounts Encouragement Act cf last ses_ sion presented a report, which was forwarded to the Minister.