H.—29a.

Research Bureau, and the Seed-testing Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, where demonstrations were given. The Commission also studied different methods of mole-draining in the Colyton area, and made tours of the Rangitikei, Rangiwahia, Parapara, Whangamomona, and Tahora districts, examining types of landdeterioration and inspecting representative farms. It was intended, when the Commission was set up, that sittings would be held and inspections made in each of the sheep-farming districts in both Islands, and that a comprehensive examination of the conditions and problems of the industry would be made on a Dominion-wide basis. Preparations were made for the collection of a mass of statistical data not heretofore available. The outbreak of war, however, made it inadvisable to continue the work of the Commission as originally planned. Changing conditions due to war and uncertainty as to its duration have made it impossible to make recommendations in respect of a number of matters arising out of the present problems of the sheep-faiming industry. It is possible, too, that as a result of the war new conditions will be created, which will render inapplicable any conclusions that the Commission might have drawn from a study of the conditions hitherto existing in respect of these matters. It was therefore decided that the Commission should return to Wellington after the conclusion of its Wanganui sittings, and should submit a report in general terms embodying its conclusions and recommendations regarding the long-range aspects of those of the matters included in its Order of Reference in respect of which it considered it had sufficient data on which to base a report. The Commission desires to acknowledge the assistance it received from the witnesses who gave evidence and from the persons who submitted written representations. Its thanks are due also to Government Departments and other bodies and organizations for supplying much valuable information and for compiling reports and returns required by the Commission. The Commission wishes to place on record its appreciation of the capable and conscientious assistance and co-operation of Messrs. A. H. Cockayne, R. P. Connell, and L. Avann, who were attached to the Commission as a secretariat, and to Mr. R. D. Steel, who acted as secretary to the Commission. Our detailed report and recommendations follow. It is proper to observe that the evidence regarding some of the more important subjects included in our Order of Reference is necessarily incomplete, and that accordingly our report is lacking in detail and, in respect of certain matters, is confined to a recommendation as to the lines along which future investigations should, in our opinion, be conducted at an appropriate time.

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