H.—29.

There was a welcome increase of £1,473,854 in the value of the frozen lamb exported, while there was a smaller increase in the value of the total other meat exported. For the first time, the annual value of pig-meat exported exceeded £1,000,000, 485,677 cwt., valued at £1,313,502, being exported for the vear ended 30th June, 1935, the corresponding figures for the previous year being 397,031 cwt. and £950,183. " ~ ' 6 The was marked by the fact that record quantities of fertilizers were carried by rail. Most of the fertilizer is applied to grassland, and the increase in the quantities of fertilizers carried by rail is expected to prove valuable in maintaining the vigour and productivity of our pastures, which, certain evidence suggests, were beginning to react to the reduced top-dressing programmes of recent times. Probably the development of most potential importance during the year was the appointment of the Executive Commission of Agriculture as provided in the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, 1934. Under Part lof this Act the Minister of Agriculture is the Chairman of the Commission; the remaining personnel of the Commission is Sir Francis V. Frazer, Deputy Chairman; Geo. Duncan, Esq., and David Jones, Esq. The functions of the Commission as set out by the Act may lead to the Commission becoming a valuable factor in the future of New Zealand farming. As pieviously, the Department has administered or assisted measures designed rP help farmers particularly in the difficult times that have been experienced. Ihese measures include the subsidies on the manufacture and railage of fertilizers, concessions in respect to railway freights on lime and on primary produce under certain conditions, and contributions to the funds of fruit-export and of herd-testing organizations. The agricultural legislation of the year has been important; it has included the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, 1934, to which reference has been made already, the Noxious Weeds Amendment Act, the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Act, the Stock Remedies Act, the Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Act, the Orchard-tax Amendment Act, and special provisions in the Finance Act, 1934-35, relative to the export of fruit. The Dominion is not yet clear of the marketing difficulties which at a corresponding stage last year clouded the outlook of farming, and these difficulties are receiving the closest attention: in this there is a full realization ol the need for making all possible provision and arrangements with overseas Governments for exploiting all potentialities of the various sections of the trade m farm-produce. I have, &c., Chas. E. Macmillan, TT . ~ ~ Minister of Agriculture. His Excellency the Governor-General.

2