H.—29

9

those who do not supply cream of sufficiently good quality are paid accordingly, a reduced payment naturally having the effect of inducing them to get to work and remove the cause of the troubleIn this they are aided by the farm-dairy instructor if one be associated with their factory. Cream grading is undoubtedly a very valuable practice, and it is satisfactory to note that it is extending on its present voluntary basis. The question of making it wholly compulsory is expected to be discussed at the coming meetings of the leading organizations of the dairy industry, and in connection with these discussions no doubt the question of the cost involved arid the organization which would be necessary to carry out the work will be given very full attention. For some time past the need for a dairy laboratory well equipped for both bacteriological and chemical work has been felt. Much useful work has been done for the Dairy Division by the existing Bacteriological Laboratory at Wallaceville and the Chemical Laboratory in Wellington, but the needs of the Dairy Division are such that a special establishment is more than warranted. It is satisfactory to note that authority has been given for the erection of a dairy laboratory at Wallaceville, and also a small experimental factory to be operated in direct association with it. Hoeticdlture. The work of the Horticulture Division is gradually expanding in accordance with the growing needs of the industries coming within its scope. These fully tax the energies of the divisional staff, the members of which have continued to carry out their duties efficiently and well. The fruitgrowing industry has experienced a better year, and growers have been much encouraged by the improved marketing conditions and returns in Great, Britain. The quantity of fruit (almost entirely apples) exported in the 1924 season constituted a record, and the bulk of it was shipped under the Government guarantee of Id. per pound net return for growers. So far as regards fruit sold in Great Britain, the results were so generally satisfactory that the guaranteed payment had only to be made to a very small amount. Regarding South America, however, the marketing conditions were not so good, this being largely due to the fact that much of the fruit underwent deterioration during the voyage. Most shipments to South America were not made in cool chambers, and it would seem from the experience gained that risk is taken in shipping in this way, even with a comparatively short voyage. It is hoped that as a result of the experience gained this year, and, further, of the valuable report furnished by Mr. Rice, Orchard Instructor, who was sent on a mission to South America to inquire into marketing conditions, much better results may be obtained during the present season. The packing and grading of export fruit was carried out on good lines, and, with a maintenance of thoroughness and care in selection, packing, and grading, there is very good reason to hope that our fruit-export trade has got over its initial troubles and is in a way of becoming premanently established on a satisfactory basis. A fruitgrower in New Zealand, as in other countries having a similar range of climate, has to be continuously on the alert to combat pests and diseases. Some of these are particularly troublesome, and the Horticulture Division, assisted by the expert advice of the Biological Laboratory staff, is doing its best to assist fruitgrowers in combating them. Special investigations have been carried out, and more are in hand for dealing with some of the worst troubles, every effort being made for progress in this direction. New Zealand Wool Committee. The committee which had functioned for some years past went out of office on the 15th January last, it being considered that as the whole of the Imperial stocks of wool had been liquidated the necessity for a committee containing Government representation had disappeared. It was gratifying that the Government expressed to the members of the committee its high appreciation of the very excellent work they had done throughout without any emolument of any kind, but I would desire to further express here recognition of the assistance rendered by the committee through its advice and its general jurisdiction over matters associated with wool-sales, &c. Wool - growers throughout the Dominion owe a debt of gratitude to those gentlemen who voluntarily gave their services for this very valuable work. Apart from Government representation, the committee consisted of Messrs. 0. Hawken and L. Rutherford, representing North and South Island sheep-farmers respectively, and Messrs.|W. S. Bennett and AJ E. Mabin, representing brokers. |S |fA. new subsequently formed consisting wholly of representatives of producers and wool-brokers. Its personnel is—Mr. W. Perry (chairman) with Messrs. R. Lilburn and Bernard

2—H. 29.