SHEEP INDUSTRY COMMISSION

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25678, 15 December 1948, Page 4

SHEEP INDUSTRY COMMISSION

TAKING OF EVIDENCE COMPLETED

SITTINGS ADJOURNED TILL MARCH 31 (P.A.) WELLINGTON, December 14. The Royal Commission on the Sheep Industry has completed the taking of evidence. Working two evenings this week, and sitting during the weekend, the commission completed its final sittings. It has now adjourned until March 31 to consider the tremendous volume of evidence it - has received. Members of the commission will have about 6000 pages of evidence to consider in compiling their report. No further argument will be heard by the commission. Appointed in August, 1947, the commission assembled for the first time in September, 1947. It opened its first sitting in Wellington in November, 1947, until Christmas. 1947. Evidence was heard in Wellington from national organisations and State departments. In January this year, the commission went to the Gisborne area to examine land conditions, and spent the next four months in the South Island, carefully studying high country conditions and problems. Returning to the North Island in July, the commission travelled through back country areas from North Auckland to the King Country, Wanganui ana the Wairarapa. Last week, the final cross-examina-tion of the permanent heads of several State departments was completed, and final argument heard from Federated Farmers of New Zealand and the chairmen of the high country and hill country committees of Federated Farmers. The principal issue put to the commission by the Government is to find a solution to the deterioration of hill country farming land and the associated problems of keeping the land in production and producing enough to give a reasonable living to back country farmers. The commission has made a very thorough examination of these conditions, and at its final sittings representatives of Federated Farmers expressed the hope that the commis«o“s findings might mark the turn of the tide in the welfare of these back country settlers.