H— 29a

Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1922-23.

Laid on the Tahle of the House of Representatives by Leave.

REPORT. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture. Sir — 28th June, 1923. I have pleasure in submitting the following report of the work of the Board of Agriculture for tho year ended 30th April last, concurrent with which the term of appointment of the members of the Board expired in terms of the Board of Agriculture Act, 1913. In the circumstances, the time appears to me to be opportune for placing on record my very great appreciation of the attention members have given to the work, of the Board, of the broad-minded and impartial manner in which they have approached the varied and important questions submitted for their consideration, and of the assistance invariably extended, to mc at all sittings. I should also like to take this opportunity of placing on record tho Board's thanks to Dr. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, and other officers of the Department for the information and advice they have given to the Board from time to time when matters of a technical character have been under review. During the past year His Excellency the Governor-General was pleased to appoint Mr. G. L. Marshall, a prominent member of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, as a member of the Board, and it is confidently anticipated that his wide knowledge and experience of agricultural conditions and problems of the Dominion will prove most helpful to the Board in its deliberations. By reason of his retirement from the Public Service, Mr. H. W. Rowden automatically relinquished the post of Secretary, the duties connected with which be had filled in an able manner for several years. Meat-export Control Act, 1921-22. This Act, the proposals for the establishment of which were considered by representatives of the Board in association with other interested parties, has now been in operation sufficiently long to enable a reliable judgment to be formed of its value to the meat-producers of the Dominion, and it is very gratifying to be able to record that the achievements of the Board have amply justified the Government in placing the measure on the statute-book. Tho Board has proceeded, with the task imposed upon it in a thorough and unostentatious manner, and the negligible amount of criticism which, its policy has evoked may be accepted as evidence of the fact that the utmost confidence is reposed in it by producers. Its achievements are too well known to necessitate their recapitulation in this report. Facilities for Importation of Purebred Stock. A deputation representing the various breeders' societies waited upon the Board and solicited its assistance in connection with representations which it proposed to make to the Government with a view to securing the subsidization of importers of purebred stock. Recognizing that the Dominion is a first-class pedigree-stock country, and is peculiarly adapted for the breeding of stud stock by reason of its equable climate and almost entire immunity from stock-diseases of a serious character, the Board viewed with sympathy the desire of the breeders' societies to secure some amelioration of the conditions which were retarding the importation of fresh blood, one of the principal of which was the high freight rates in operation. The views of the Board on the question were subsequently placed before you, but before action could be taken telegraphic advice was received from London that the