B.—4a

1214. This reduction should be effected during 1932-33, after which we consider that the research investigations should cease and the matter be left to private enterprise. Saving, £350 ; ultimate saving, £450. Item—Fruit, £4,200. 1215. The gross expenditure provided under this item was £4,200 for 1931-32, and £2,750 was estimated to be recoverable from sales of fruit and grants by the Empire Marketing Board. The Empire Marketing Board provides two grants on a £l-for-£l basis : (a) A capital grant not exceeding £2,350 ; (b) an annual grant for five years not exceeding £1,860. A large portion of the expenditure is in respect of the maintenance of a research orchard of some 72 acres at Appleby, Nelson. Only 29 acres of this area are planted with trees now in full bearing. The orchard was acquired largely as a result of a voluntary contribution of £1,250 by the Fruitgrowers' Association. 1216. We recommend a reduction of 10 per cent, in the gross vote, equivalent to a saving of £420. 1217. We consider, however, that the cost of research should be borne by the industry, and recommend a levy on fruit exported. A special levy of Jd. per case would produce approximately £1,100, which would cover the cost of research, and'would virtually be a saving to the Consolidated Fund. Saving—By reduction in expenditure, £420 ; by levy, £1,100 : total, £1,520. Item —-Fuel, £1,230. 1218. The gross expenditure provided for fuel research, in 1931-32 was £1,230, the whole of which was estimated to be recoverable. The Department has now reduced the staff on this work to one, and a contribution received during 1932-33 from the industry will cover the full cost of the work for this year. We see no justification for the continuation of research of this description, and must recommend that when the current year's programme is completed the investigations be stopped. We are of opinion that the industry should carry out its own research investigations without State assistance. Item —Imperial Agricultural Research Bureaux, £1,188. 1219. This item is to provide for the contribution of New Zealand to the Imperial Agricultural Bureaux scheme. The Bureaux were founded by the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference of 1928, and ratified by the Imperial Conference which followed. The idea is to place agricultural research on an Empire basis, and the cost of the bureaux is provided for by proportionate levies on each of the dominions and Crown colonies which participate. The charge to New Zealand appears to be out of proportion to the population, and we recommend that negotiations be undertaken with a view to the amount being reduced to £600. Item—Leather, £1,200. 1220. The amount provided under this item for 1931-32 was £1,200, of which £550 was estimated to be recoverable from the industry. It is understood that one of the officers engaged on this work has now been transferred to other work, so that there will be a saving of £130 on this, account. 1221. The remaining expenditure should be reduced as follows : — Equipment and Apparatus, £112. —This item should be reduced to £60. Grant to Officer travelling Overseas, £220— This item will not be required. Total saving, £402. 1222. There is no justification for the continuation of this class of research, which should be undertaken by the industry concerned, and we recommend that no further expenditure be provided for after 1932-33. 1223. This will result in an ultimate saving of £650. Item—Meat Industry and Products, £10. 1224. This item should disappear. Saving, £10. Item—Mineral Content of Pastures, £3,150. 1225. The total amount provided for this purpose for 1931-32 was £3,150, of which £2,951 was estimated to be recoverable, leaving a net expenditure of £199 against the Consolidated Fund. The recoveries for 1932-33 will not be so large, and there will be an increase in the net charge against the Consolidated Fund. 1226. We recommend that the gross expenditure should not exceed £2,000, of which £1,000 will be recoverable by way of grants from the Empire Marketing Board. There will be no saving on this account. 1227. A portion of the expenditure is to reimburse the Department of Agriculture tor services carried out, and we think that the work of that Department should be stopped. Item—Noxious Weeds, £1,400. 1228. The sum of £1,400 was provided for 1931-32, of which £700 was estimated to be recoverable. 1229. This expenditure should be discontinued as soon as possible. It is understood, however, that the sum of £350 will be required for 1932-33. This represents a net saving of £350 and an ultimate saving of £700.

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