ANIMAL RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 18

ANIMAL RESEARCH

Dr. J. Hammond’s Report

Approved

ORGANISATION OF BUREAU

The scheme for the organisation of an animal research bureau In New Zealarnd put forward by Dr. .John Hammond, F.R.S., of the Animal Nutrition School of the University of Cambridge, and contained in his report to the New Zealand Government, a resume of which wilts published in “The Dominion” of June 11 last, was considered and approved by the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand at its annual conference yesterday.

The president of the society, Mr. L. J. Wild, said that what they were interested in was the setting up of an advisory service composed of men actively concerned with the industry. Unless such a service was composed of men who had experience of animal husbandry problems, there would be tr danger of its becoming too academic. An important part of the report was the setting up of an advisory service to get the results of research over to the farmers. Men were wanted who could go on to the farms and demonstrate. Dr. Hannuond contended that the farmers would be more interested If they had to contribute toward the cost of the bureau. He pointed out that there were in New' Zealand an insufficient number of men qualified to carry out research work. Instead of importing a large number of scientists, it w'ould be better to have a number of students attached to the agricultural colleges, in the Dominion, who could

graduate for the work required. He suggested that the society should give general approval of Dr. Hammond’s recommendation to set up a bureau of animal research, and agree witlt the constitution suggested.

CHr. W. Raustead (Waikato) contended that the proposed bureau should be placed under control of the Minister of Agriculture. He moved that the conference 'generally approved of Dr. Hammond’s report, but thought that the Department of Scientific Research should be placed under the Department of Agriculture. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Preston (Otago), who said that, the farmers of the Dominion were getting a great deal done for them without cost, and he agreed with Dr. Hammond that if the farmers were to contribute toward the cost of tiie bureau they would take a much keener interest in it. Air. Ranstead’s motion was carried. Air. Preston moved that the advisory service should be attached directly to the institutes or the colleges, and not to the Department of Agriculture. This was carried.- .

. Mr. 'Preston further moved that the principle of direct contributions by farmers toward the cost be approved. This was second by Mr. M. E. Lyons (Christchurch). . ■ Air. O. Wilkinson (Motueka) contended j that the funds required should be pro-, vided through the boards at .present iu 1 existence.

Air. Preston’s motion was defeated on the voices. Air. Wilkinson then moved that the principle of direct contributions by farmers toward the cost of scientific research be approved, but that the money required come from the boards at present iu existence.

The motion was carried. A sub-committee consisting of the president (Mr. L. J. Wild). Sir William Perry, and Messrs. J. Knight (Feilding). and W. O. Rennie (Canterbury), be set up to watch developments in connection with the proposed bureau.