I—l 2.

230

[B. L. STEWART.

To Dr. A. K. Newman: Before the war we had not competition with Germany in manufactured stationery to any great extent. England was competing more and more with us; but England is in such a position to-day that 1 do not think we need fear much competition from her for some considerable time to come. America is more likely to interfere with us than England, but Japan most of all. T. A. Jenkins, representing Rodney Chamber of Commerce, examined. Mr. Blair and i represent the Rodney Chamber of Commerce. The members of that Chamber of Commerce are largely agricultural; and we have been particularly asked to bring three propositions before you. There are two others which we have considered which affect very vitally the prosperity of this Dominion—immigration and a roads policy, which I leave Mr. Blair to refer to. I desire first to refer to the question of basic-slag importation. For a long time past basic slag as a fertilizer for top-dressing and also as manure for cropping has been unobtainable. In the northern territory of the Dominion basic slag is suitable as a fertilizer. It is very adaptable, and our soil responds most readily to its application. Soon after the war started the British Government prohibited the exportation of that product. The consequence has been that large areas of productive land in this country are now going back for want of some suitable top-dressing. We have asked the Prime Minister to try and get the British Government to remove the restrictions. Large quantities of the material have been accumulating in the various manufacturing centres in Great Britain. We would like the Committee to urge on the Prime Minister the necessity of at once approaching the British Government with the view of our being allowed to get a supply of basic slag for the forthcoming spring. It should be here, if possible, by September. Such a supply is essential to our prosperity, for it means greater production of wool, frozen mutton, and dairyproduce. I also desire to draw attention to the important question of the supply of hydro-electric power for the development of our agricultural industries. It- seems to us that in regard to this matter the great northern peninsula has been left out in the cold. Mr. Parry has emphasized its importance to the rural community. In the northern territory we have been waiting to see whether under the Government scheme we are likely to be supplied with this power within a short period of time, because we cannot go on for another period of years as we are going on now. In the North Auckland territory our people and industries will respond, as readily as Christchurch and North Canterbury have responded to the Lake Coleridge scheme. If we are not to be included in the national scheme within a reasonable time, then the question arises whether we will be allowed to carry out a scheme provincial!}'. We want to see the work carried out as economically as possible, and that in the future anything that may be done locally will link up with the larger scheme of the North Island ; otherwise there will be a waste of energy, &c. The early prosecution of this work is necessary for the progress of our industries. There is another subject which 1 should like to bring before the Committee, and that is the manufacture of nitrogen from the air by means of electric energy. It has been found that the introduction of various forms of nitrates is very beneficial to the soil. With the introduction of hydro-electric power it is quite possible to carry out this manufacture of nitrates, and I think this would be a fitting fertilizer for the refractory northern_lands. I also urge that a Chair of Agriculture should be established in connection with the agricultural industries of the Dominion. Hitherto there has been no proper recognition of the important place which our primary industries occupy in our national welfare. Lincoln College and the Ruakura Farm are doing good work; still, Lincoln College does not fulfil all that is required. Ruakura Farm, I think, goes in the right direction; still, we think more is required. We think that the establishment of a Chair of Agriculture would assist in lifting the agricultural industry to the position which it should occupy, and would promote the prosperity of the Dominion. I see that Mr. Lloyd George is advocating that large sums be expended in connection with agricultural education in Great Britain; and a great deal has been done in this connection in the United States, Canada, and Australia. I approve of the suggestion which has been made that the Government should devote a sum of money to promote research work being carried on here. To Mr. Sidey: We do not think Lincoln Agricultural College fills the needs of the Dominion —that is, as we look upon it as farmers. It is rather too academic, possibly. We suggest that a Chair of Agriculture should be established at one of the University colleges. The work done would not necessarily be purely scientific or theoretical. I suggest that there should be a leaning towards scientific research as applied to the farming industries. To Mr. Forbes: I have not visited Lincoln Agricultural College, but have heard farmers say what they thought about it, and I have met some of the students who have been at the college. Research work done by the Department of Agriculture in connection, with pests is very limited; the Department is understaffed in that connection, and there is a want of means. I think much more could be done to lift agricultural education here to a higher plane. J. Blair, representing Rodney Chamber of Commerce, examined. I wish to draw your attention to our main roads. The arterial roads in the North are only a name; and until something is done with those roads the farmers will be at a great disadvantage to get their produce out to market. It just means this : that the local bodies have here and there expended some money on these roads—have metalled the roads in places, whereas there may be mud at both ends of the metalled portion. Farmers have great, difficulty in getting along these roads. Farmers have now to use two or three horses to convey produce, whereas if the roads were in fair order they would only need to use one horse. It is quite apparent that the local bodies cannot manage the main roads; their funds are not sufficient. Unless the -Government take over the main arterial roads and put them in order it is impossible that the North Auckland