EMPIRE’S GREATEST INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 10, 6 October 1927, Page 9

EMPIRE’S GREATEST INDUSTRY

EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CONFERENCE OPENED By Telegraph—Press Association. (Copyright.) London, October 4. Welcoming the delegates to the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference, at which the Australians, Messrs. Julius Cameron and Richardson, and the New Zealanders, Dr. Reakcs and Mr. Rigg, were present, Lieut.-Colonel Guinness, Minister of Agriculta-e, expressed the opinion that never had such knowledge and experience of experts from all over the Empire previously been concentrated to assist the Empire’s greatest industry in this time of complexity and change. Industries standing still were quickly left behind and research must be used to improve agriculture, which was the giant pillar of the Empire’s life and prosperity. As an' example of Empire co-operation, he mentioned the Aberdeen Institute’s research into the mineral contents of pastures, which linked up the work in Australia, New Zealand, and Kenya. The conference would ensure that each part of the Empire was educated in the other’s research and discoveries.— A.P.A. and “Sun.” AUSTRALIA’S AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME London, October 4. In a speech at the Agricultural Conference, Mr. Julius said that Australia had embarked on an ambitious programme of research, 90 per cent, of which was devoted to primary production and agricultural research. Australia was a tremendous field, in which there were few workers. This was probably due to lack of reward to the scientific work in former years. NEW SOUTH WALES WHEAT CROP * SMALL SURPLUS FOR EXPORT Sydney, October 5. The Director of Agriculture considers that the State wheat yield, should now be sufficient for local milling and domestic seed requirements, and also provide a small surplus for export or carry-over. The recent rains came in time to save a considerable portion of the crop, but too late in the NorthWest and Far West. Altogether close upon a million acres had definitely failed, while in the remaining areas there wa* a small proportion from which no grain would be taken. The harvest this year would be the lightest for many years. BRIGHT PROSPECTS IN WEST AUSTRALIA Perth, October 5. The Minister of Lands (Mr. M. F. Troy) states that he expects a harvest of 35,000,000 bushels, nearly 5,000,000 in excess of last year. The State’s prospects had never been brighter. The season had been marked by an excellent rainfall over all the State. The progress in land settlement and development was evidenced by the fact taht 2,177,000 acres more of conditional purchase land had been taken up this year, and the selection of ten million acres of pasto-al country had been approved.