RESEARCH WORK.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19851, 12 February 1930, Page 15

RESEARCH WORK.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INDUSTRIES. COMMITTEE SET UP FOR CANTERBURY. A conference convened by the Canterbury A. and P. Association was held in the Association's rooms last night for the purpose of deciding upon the best steps to take to further research work in Canterbury. Mr J. G. Herdman (president of tiie Canterbury A. and P. Association) occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs L. R. C. Macfarlane, E. E. Alexander, W. H. Nicholson, Jas. Deans, .11. T. McMilh.n (Canterbury A, and P. Association), M. J. Scott (Lincoln College), J. A. Frostiek (Manufacturers' Association), Norton Francis (Chamber of Commerce), J. Kerrigan (Department of Agriculture), R. Ivcson (St, Andrew's College), R. L. Jameson (Amuri A. and P. Association), S. 1,. Boon fHawarden A. and P. Association), J, E. Strachan (Rangiora High School), W. R. Geoghegan and J. Brvdon (Technical College), C. K. Ferris (Institute of Chemists), C. Mcintosh and J. P. Hull (Farmers' Union), E. A. Bland and R. Peach (Northern A. and P. Association), and A. F. Clark (Malvern A. and P. Association), Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf (Wheat Research Institute), and Dr. Denham (Department, of Scientific and Industrial Research). The chairman explained the object of the meeting, which was to discuss agricultural research. Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane had brought the matter up at the last meeting of the A. and P. AssoeiaI tion, and it had been unanimously decided that a conference should be held to discuss the matter. The chairman added that Mr John Deans had advised him that they could thoroughly rely upon the support of Canterbury College in anything they might decide to do. ! The Proposal Outlined. Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane said he was very*pleased to see so many present that night to discuss this important matter. He had given considerable thought to the subject, and was convinced that the time had fully arrived when something should be done to improve the position of the man on the land. From an economic point of view the present was the worst year the farmer had had since the War.' The farmer had to accept the world's parity for what he produced, and this being so, ho must endeavour to improve the quality of that which he produced in order successfully to compete on the markets of the world. They heard a lot in these days concerning unemployment. The unemployment problem, he was afraid, was- becoming worse rather than better, and greater production might assist the position. The Government might imiprove the financial position of the country by borrowing more money and .spending it on public works, but he did not think that this would ds very much good for any length of time. Then it had been suggested that a lower wage level might be adopted in order to lessen the cost of living, but he did not think that they should look in this direction for relief. They needed Increased production and they must work harder. Much had been done in the way of research work, but more could still be done. The main thing was to make the fanner understand that research work was going to do him good. Top-dressing of pastures had been a wonderful success; in many places it had increased the carrying capacity to a great extent. Then they had heard of what could be done by rotational grazing. City and country interests should be got to work in unison in order to help the country along. So far as encouraging farmers to support research work was concerned, they should endeavour to enlist the interests of City as well as country people, in order that the best might be done. They should keep on doing their best. So far as secondary interests were concerned, he thought that 'representatives of these should have a round-table conference with representatives of the agricultural interests, in order that they might secure the best results. The whole matter should be thoroughly discussed. If they set up a committee they might be able to have a conference, say, every six months, when City and country could exchange views and endeavour to promote the best interests of both. (Hear, hear.)

Otfter Speakers. Dr. Denham, representing the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, gave the proposal full support, and said that the Department would welcome any suggestions which might come from the committee which it was proposed to set up. Dr. Denham explained what is being done in the United States in the matter of research work, and expressed approval of the start that was being made in this connexion in Canterbury that night. The Eesearch Department in New Zealand had done good work in .respect of several matters, and it had good work going on now in connexion with the dairy industry, pasture improvement, the control of noxious weeds, etc. The Wheat Eesearch Institute was doing excellent work. The activities of the Department were not very large yet, but what it had already 'done had been of considerable value. If he could co-ordin-ate the work of the Department with the proposed committee in Canterbury he would be happy to do so. Mr Norton Francis said that the thanks of the farming community were due to Mr Macfarlane for having brought this matter forward. It was a .very important matter both for town and country, for if the country dwellers were not prosperous it was certain that the towns and cities would suffer. And they wanted all to be on a better level than they were at present. He was glad that Mr Macfarlane had brought the need for research work prominently under notice, for he was convinced that some action along these lines should be taken. What had been achieved by the Eesearch Department was wonderfully good, but more would, and must, be done in this connexion. In saying this he did not mean to imply that they were not getting value' for their money from the Eesearch Department; on the contrary, he considered that they were getting excellent value for the money that was being expended. No one wanted to see the wage level lowered in this country; they wanted to see everybody getting a fair return for his labour. But in view of the fact that their products bad to be disposed of at competitive prices on the markets of the world they must see that those products were at least equal in quality to those produced by other countries. If they paid more for what they had to buy than they received for what had to sell there could be only one result, and they wanted to avoid that. _ They wanted to see increased prosperity in both town and country, and one way to promote this would be found through research work. To this end the Chamber of Commerce, which he represented, would help in every possible way. Mr Frostick said that he had been very pleased to hear what Mr Macfarlane had said; in effect, his idea was a co-operative movement to increase the national wealth. The points raised that night were very important. They had many advantages in this country, and they should put themselves in the way of getting increased knowledge. If thoy asked the Government of this

country to communicate with the Home Government, they eould get most important information on all the points on which they required to be enlightened. The committee to be set up should bear this in mind. Mr Frostiek referred to what Canada is doing, and said there was a time when it was said that New Zealand could never be anything but an agricultural country. As a representative of the Manufacturers' Association, he could say that the manufacturers were willing and anxious to assist in increasing the wealth of the nation, and to help the farming community to bear the burden which it was at present being called upon to bear. Canada had been told a quarter of a century ago that it could never be anything but an agricultural country, but they knew better than that to-day. And what had been done in Canada could be done in New Zealand. Each and everyone in this country should aim at getting the Dominon into such a position that it would be able to pay off its indebtedness and place the country in a better position for those who followed after them. To this end town and country must work in unison. He would not like it to be supposed that the manufacturers thought they could teach the farming community how to do their work; what he wanted to stress was that town and country should work in co-operation for their mutual good and the advancement of the best interests of the Dominion as a whole. Committee Tormed. It was unanimously decided that all present should form themselves into a committee to stimulate and co-ordinate research work in Canterbury. In a brief discission which followed it was stated that the research work would include both primary and secondary industries. An executive was then appointed, to consist of a representative from each of the following: The Canterbury A. and P. Association, the Farmers' Union, the Sheepowners' Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers' Association, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Eesearch, the Canterbury Agricultural College, and the Timaru A. and P. Association.