RESEARCH WORK

Southland Times, Issue 20498, 29 May 1928, Page 8

RESEARCH WORK

\ SCOPE IN DOMINION DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME (Per United Press Association.) Morrinsville, May 28. The scope of investigations and the results achieved by the Scientific and Industrial Research Department were outlined by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates here to-night. To deal with noxious weeds, a first-class research station had been equipped at the Cawthron Institute, the best in the Southern Hemisphere. The work was being concentrated on blackberry, ragwort, bidibidi, gorse and St. John’s wort. Success had been achieved with a moth which destroys ragwort and the prospects with an anti-gorse insect were hopeful. Co-opera-tion had been established with the Empire Marketing Board and Australia while arrangements were also in train to control insects attacking insects. It was necessary to ascertain the best qualities of wheat manures and the most efficient culture methods of wheat production. Co-operat-ive research had been arranged between wheat growers, flour millers and bakers in Canterbury with the A cereals laboratory had been established at Canterbury College and also wheat breeding and selection work at Lincoln College for dairy research. Laboratories had been established at Massey College, Palmerston North, and a chemist and bacteriologist of high qualifications appointed. Research work begins in earnest next dairy season. Meantime, an investigation of New Zealand butter and cheese is proceeding in the United Kingdom.

A statistical examination of herd testing records is being undertaken and an examination of the vitamin contents of butter is proceeding at the Otago University. Co-ordination of research work had been arranged between the laboratories at Palmerston North, Hawera and Hamilton while an investigation was being undertaken as to the economic heat in dairy factories.

Regarding meat, some companies had been concerned as to loss and lack of “bloom” tending to affect prices and reputation. To bring about an improvement the sodium nitrate pickle process had been developed while the canned meat process had been simplified and its quality improved. Chemical treatment of pelts was being investigated and the time has come when bacon and pork should play a more important part in the export trade. The pig industry was related to the dairy, meat and grain industry and development on sound lines offers a good prospect of a remunerative industry. Fundamental research in food value meals suitable for pig feeding was now proceeding at Otago University and trials were proceeding at Lincoln College and will be undertaken at Mascey College, the bacon during processes being investigated to help manufacturers owing to the prohibition of boric acid while systematic weighing and recording of pigs to ascertain desirable strains and types would be undertaken at Lincoln College, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

As to cold storage research, collaboration of research work between the Cambridge low temperature research station and the horticultural divisions of the Agriculture Department is now taking place as the result of a visit by Dr. Kidd and complete scientific records of fruit this year from orchards in New Zealand to retail shops in Great Britain is being obtained. Arrangements have also been made with shipping companies for detailed records of temperature.

A committee representing the Department, the Massey College Council and Research Council and seed industry has been established and a full programme of research work dealing with pastures, seed and plant diseases has been drawn up.

An extensive examination of New Zealand fleeces is, being made to ascertain cases of deterioration and microscopical examinations to reveal defeats in fibre, coarseness, etc., are being made. The problem is complex and formidable. Co-ordination has been arranged with research institutes at Leeds and Edinburgh and elsewhere as to flax improvements necessary in stripping, bleaching and washing processes. The problem is being approached from botanical and chemical points of view and a detailed survey of varieties in the various areas and an analysis of the fibre is being made. A Flax Research Association is in course of formation. A Leather Research Association is being formed by the tanners and the industry will have scientific guidance. A technical chemist will be appointed and a programme of work drawn upFor the fruit industry, an investigation for securing the best stocks and buds in order to secure the best possible trees is proceeding and research work of a wider scope is receiving consideration. Frost fighting trials and frost forecasting is receiving attention in Central Otago and Hastings. A fuel research committee has been set up and ’low temperature distillation of brown coal is being investigated as well as stone dusting of mines to obviate explosions. Mr. Coates added that physical and chemical tests of building stones are now in progress and a pamphlet will be issued detailing the results. Valuable properties of rhyolite deposits in the Putaruru district have been ascertained. Investigation work is also being undertaken regarding New Zealand gravels and clays.