HELPING THE FARMER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 170, 18 April 1928, Page 12

HELPING THE FARMER

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DR. REAKES’S MISSION INVESTIGATIONS FOR DOMINION , Having attended the Empire Agricultural Hosearch Conference in London last October, ana visited many research institutes in Great Britain, Europe, and South Africa, Dr. 0. J. Heakes, Direc-tor-General of Agriculture, returned to Wellington yesterday after an eight months’ tour. During his travels Dr. Reakes closely investigated many aspects of agricultural and pastoral research, and gathered much valuaable information which will be embodied in a report to the Government. That tho work being lone in New Zealand in connection with agiieult ur-il research wa s on the right lines, and was fully appreciated in Britain and elsewhere, was one of the chief impressions received by Mr. Reakes, who represented New Zealand at the Empire Agricultural Research Conference, which was representative of the whole Empire, and was attended by eminent research workers in Britain and the Dominions and Crown Colonies. The discussions, which covered the whole field of agricultural research were on very sound and thorough lines, and the result will be much better and closer co-operation, nnd the avoidance of overlapping in the work throughout the Empire. Dr. Reakes said the conference not only achieved valuable results in that respect, but it gave him and other debates personal contact with men of the highest standing in agricultural research work. .

After the conference Dr. Reakes visited practically every research institute in Great Britain, nnd was able to discuss many matters of i-Tcnf importance to the farmers of the Dominion, especially methods of combating diseases of animals. Foot and Mouth Disease.

In this connection Dr. Reakes had personal experience of the ravages of foot and mouth disease in Britain. He was in close touch with the officers of the Department of Agriculture, who were dealing with what was undoubtedly a very serious problem, and facilities were afforded him to visit one very seriously infected area in Hampshire and study the methods of dealing with the disease, which were most drastic. They almost invariably involved the slaughter of every animal and the burning of the carcases.

"I had it strongly impressed upon me,” said Dr. Reakes, “that we were wise to take the very complete precautions we have done to prevent the disease reaching New Zealand. At the time I left England foot and mouth disease was worse than at any- previous time during the present series of outbreaks. and over a very wide area its ravages were causing very serious concern.” Dr. Reakes added that _the Brtiri l , <‘-pver )I nient.- ■in .'on’un&uon with the. Royal Agricultural Society, had arranged to establish a quarantine station in the Port of London area, where live stock would be in close quarantine before shipment,' to minimise as far as possible the risk of- the disease being carried overseas.

While in I.ondon Dr. Reakes paid several visits to Smithfield and Tooley Street, studying the marketing of meat and dairy produce,, which he discussed with the I.ondon representatives of the Meat Board and Dairy Board. On the Continent.

Dr. Reakes spent some time in Dehmlirk, and got into touch with the Veterinary ami Agricultural Colleges at Copenhagen, where most valuable research work was being done, particularly in 1 connection with dairy catth diseases. He also ■ investigated the sys tern of agricultural education, and the work of a dairy experimental station and pig-breeding establishments. Dr. Reakes also spent short periods- in Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France, where ho secured tho latest information from'tho best authorities on agricultural education and research work, particularly in connection with animal diseases. Leaving England in January, Dr. Reakes went to South Africa, where he received very courteous . treatment, especially from the Minister and the Secretary of Agriculture, -who gave him every facility for seeing and learning all le could. He spent some days in Pretoria, where he had many discussions with the officers in charge of agricultural research nnd education. lie was greatly impressed by the Velerinaiv College and veterinary research laboratories at Ondersdepoort, which was one of the best institutions of its kind be saw during his travels, and which was doing very valuable work. Some interesting days were spent in Rhodesia, where Dr. Reakes discussed with the director of the Animal Diseases Research Laboratory methods for the control and treatment of contagious abortion in dairy cows. He also gained much valuable information from the Department of Agriculture regarding tobacco and citrus fruits culture. Dr. Reakes was . very favouuablv impressed with the potentialities of Rhodesia, nnd the system of agricultural education there.’

While in Australia Dr. Reakes investigated research and agricultural educational work in South Australia and Victoria. While there he met Sir Arnold Thieler. formerly of South Africa, and one of the most outstanding authorities on animal health and diseases, and Dr. Orr, director of the Kowett Institute of Aberdeen, who were visiting

Australia at the invitation of the Commonwealth Government. He had seen a great deal of them at lhe conference in Loudon, and was able to supplement his information on many problems of vital importance to New Zealand farmers.