WORLD TOUR ENDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 12

WORLD TOUR ENDED.

RETURN OF DR. C. J. REAKES.

INQUIRIES IN MANY LANDS.,

SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE-

[by telegraph.—own correspondent. ]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

That New Zealand is working on the right lines in regard to scientific agricultural research is the opinion of Dr. C. J. Reakes, director-general of agriculture, who returned to-day by tbe Manuka after a world tour* in the coarse of which he attended the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference in London., and made investigations on the 'Continent into diseases affecting dairy cattle. The results of his inquiries will be embodied in a report to th& Government. Dr. Reakes said the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference wra very valuible. It wa3 attended by men right in the forefront of agriculturaland scientific research, who came from all parts of the Empire. He was sure the result of the conference would be a much better and more complete co-ordination of research throughout the Empire. New Zealand, for instance, would be in association with research workers in all other Empire countries, and it would therefore be po* sible to avoid unnecessary duplication of work here.

"Another very valuable feature of the conference," said Dr. Reakes, "was the personal contact effected with the eminent agricultural research workers of the Empire. I was very pleased to see that the research work being done in connection with agriculture in New Zealand was being appreciated general!p."

After the conference he visited a number of research stations in England and Scotland, and afterwards crossed to the Continent to make special investigations in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany and Holland, regarding diseases of dairy cows and the methods of dealing with them. He also made inquiries into the Continental methods of agricultural instruction. These matters would be deal!; with in his report to the Government. While in London he several times visited Smithfield and Tooley Street, as ho wais interested in a general way in the meat and butter situations. He was in close personal touch with Mr. K. S. Forsyth, of the Meat Board, and Mr. Davies, of the Dairy Board. Regarding the marketing of New Zealand dairy produce, as far as he could see things were working quite smoothly, and a similar remark applied to meat. His observations showed that New Zealand produce was held in high esteem in London.

Dr. Reakes said he was disinclined to discuss farming in England beyond saying the British farmer had experienced a very bad time, and his condition had hot been benefited by a very wet season.

During his stay in Australia on his return journey he had interviews with several of the Commonwealth agricultural and scientific research workers. He also met Sir Arnold Theiler, the famous veterinarian, and Dr. Orr, director of the Rowett Institute, who are visiting Australia. From them he gathered much interesting information.