ROYAL COMMISSION

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4803, 28 June 1939, Page 5

ROYAL COMMISSION

ECONOMIC POSITION. ORDER OF REFERENCE. DETERIORATION OF LAND. The Royal Commission which has been appointed under the presidency of Sir Francis Frazer to investigate the economic position of the sheep raising industry will commence sitting at an early date and will work under an order of reference which was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin on Monday. This states: “Whereas it is reported that a serious economic position has arisen detrimentally affecting the sheep raising industry and the welfare of those engaged therein, it is deemed advisable to appoint a commission with authority to inquire into and report concerning any and every factor which, in the judgment of the Commission, has an influence upon the economic condition of the industry and in particular, without limiting the order of reference, the commission will report on such matters as: “(a) The deterioration of land of all types, whether by erosion, second growth depletion or other causes. “(b) The influence of facilities for obtaining finance and of the administration or organisation of lending institutions including availability, convenience and cost of finance for purchase of stock and goods and chattels. “(c) The price of land tenure, rates and taxes.

“(d) The efficiency of management in regard to land and stock. “(e) The availabilty, efficiency and utilisation of labour.

“(f) Any other factor deemed relevant.”