RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 23

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

CONTINUITY OF POLICY. THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION. WELLINGTON, February 22. The opinion that the action of the new Minister (Mr H. Atmore) in reappointing the original Council of Scientific and Industrial Research could be taken as evidence of his own and the Government’s intention that research activities would be carried on with a continuity of policy, independent of minor political considerations, was expressed by the chairman (Mr G. Shirtcliffe) at the monthly meeting on Thursday. Reporting on the progress of the various research activities under the auspices of the Research Council, Mr Shirtcliffe said that the entomological work had proceeded satisfactorily. Thanks to the hearty co-operation of the Forestry Department and the planting and sawmilling interests, a scheme for combat ing the insect and fungus pests of the forests had been worked out, and it was hoped that that would come to fruition and provide an adequate insurance against a very real menace to the forestry interests. Research into the bronze beetle and other insect pests under the subsidised grant from the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation was progressing satisfactorily at the Cawthron Institute. The Dairy Research Institute ot Palmerston North was now in full swing. The Dairy Institute at present was engaged on prolonged investigations relating to open texture in cheese. Interesting results also had been obtained by Professor Malcolm in regard to the vitamin content of New Zealand butter. The first two quarterly reports of the mineral content of pastures investigation contained results of great practical value to the Dominion obtained by Mr B. C. Aston and also at the Cawthron Institute, and justified the hope of a far better understanding of the relation of feeding value to pasture and nature to soil.

The reports of Drs Kidd and Barker on cold storage and transportation of fruit had proved to be complete and valuable, and would form the basis of further steps to be undertaken this year by the Department of Agriculture "and the Fruit Control Board in co-operaticn. Satisfactory co-operation between the various parties—the Department of Agriculture, the Cawthron Institute, etc., also had been arranged, and a programme would be placed before the members for their consideration. The work of the plant breeding and seed research station was now in full swing, the arrival of Mr Davies on loan for two years from Professor Stapledon’s research station at Aberystwyth having completed the team of specialists. Mr A. H. Cockayne’s valuable report indicated that full advantage would be taken of the work of this station in the field stations of the Department of Agriculture, and would be rapidly translated into practice. The oversight of the Plant Research Committee under Mr W. D. Hunt also would ensure this desired result.

Considering the finance available, t! e work of the Phorium Research Committee, under Mr Seifert, and at the Massey College showed very favourable promise. Dr J. S. Yeates reported very promising results from hybrid seedlings. A special assistant had been appointed to investigate yellow leaf disease, while several investigations into problems connected with the preparation and uses of the fibre were being actively pursued.

The work of the Fuel Research Committee under Colonel W. D. Holgate was now in full swing. The experimental reports were working satisfactorily, and the various coals under test were being put through as quickly as was possible. The Wheat Research Institute at Canterbury College and Lincoln College was now functioning. The early arrival of Dr Frankel would assist in cxpeclit-

ing the work of breeding suitable wheats, while with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture the seed certification should prove of great benefit. The Wool Research Committee, under Dr Reakes, and with the assistance of Drs Dry and Nichols, had put forward a practical scheme which aimed at the improvement of wool. The Standardisation Committee had put forward a scheme for the provision of the various standards basis to secondary industries, an d lor the co-operation of Dominion facilities for testing, and this would be submitted to he various bodies concerned for their consideration and comment. The work at the Cawthron Institute on Pakihi lands had proved promising, and a scheme of co-operation with the fields division of the Department of Agriculture had been worked out. The pig feeding trials and pig recording groups at Lincoln and Massey Colleges and in the Waikato were nearing completion, and at the conclusion of the year the reports would be analysed and a full report presented. The reports of Mr N. L. Wright on bacon ciu-ing and on the work carried out in New Zealand for the Bacon’ Research Association had been worked up and would be presented to a later meeting of the association. A valuable report on the food values of the products of meat works by Professor Malcolm and Miss A. Pope had now been completed, and would be published shortly. The work of the Leather Research Association was now in active operation. Valuable results already had been secured, and the scheme of co-operation promised well. Good work also had been accomplished m many problems concerned with the treatment of pelts in freezing works, lhe services of. the department were being increasingly utilised as a bureau ot technical information, and many appreciate e letters had been received.