SHEEP INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 71, 21 September 1939, Page 13

SHEEP INDUSTRY

INQUIRY STOPPED

WORK OF COMMISSION

CHANGED CONDITIONS

The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) stated today that the sittings of the Sheep Farming Industry Commission had been discontinued. The Commission had held sittings in Wellington, Palmerston North, and Wanganui, and had returned to Wellington on Tuesday last, on the completion of the Wanganui sittings. The members had made inspections of typical sheep-farming districts as far north as Taihape and Whangamomona, and had visited a number of representative farms. A considerable volume of information had been acquired.

"It would probably take six months to complete the work of the Commission as originally planned," said the Minister. "In view of the changed conditions brought about by the war, and the uncertainty as to its duration, it has been decided that it would be inappropriate to continue the inquiry. It is possible that new conditions may be created which will render inapplicable any conclusions that can be. drawn from a consideration of the conditions hitherto existing."

The Minister added that the term of the Commission's original warrant of appointment would expire on September 30, and that it was intended that the Commission should submit by that date a brief report in general terms, embodying its conclusions and recommendations regarding certain longrange aspects of the matters included in its order of reference.