AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19452, 17 December 1934, Page 14

AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL.

PROPOSAL IN AUSTRALIA.

ITS DRAFT CONSTITUTION. i \l (From a Correspondent.) CANBERRA, December 4. Functions of the proposed Australian Agricultural Council as outlined by the sub-committee appointed to draft a constitution were , to-day adopted by the conference of Federal Ministers. . . The sub-committee in its report recommended that the council should. (a) Generally endeavour to promote IMo welfare ami development of cultural industries. (b) Arrange Hie mutual exchange of information regarding agricultural production and marketing. (c) Assist co-operation for the purpose of ensuring the improvement of the quality of agricultural products and the maintenance of high standards. (d) Ensure as far as possible balance between production and available markets.' (e) Consider the requirements of agricultural industries in regard to organised marketing. (f) Promote the adoption of a uniform policy on external marketing problems, particularly those pertaining to the negotiations of intraEmpire and international agreements, (g) Consult in regard to proposals for the granting.of financial assistance to agricultural industries. , (h) Consider matters submitted to the council' by'the Standing Committee on Agriculture. - .' • 'Permanent Committee. • In ■ order- • that < tlie- council might adequately perform its functions it was essential, the' sub-committee reported, that there should be a permanent technical committee, Lo bo known as the Standing Committee on Agriculture, whose duties, in addition lo advising the council, should include— 1. To securo 00-operalion and co ■ ordination in agricultural research throughout Ihe Commonwealth. 2. To advise the Commonwealth aud Slate Governments on matters pertaining to the initiation and development o-f research on agricultural problems. 3. To secure co-operation between the Commonwealth and States and between the States themselves with respect to quarantine measures relating to pesls and diseases - of plants and animals and to advise them on those matters.

'J'he Standing Committee on Agriculture should comprise the permanent heads of the State Departments of Agriculture, members of the exeeulive committee of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the secretary of Die Department of Commerce, and Die Director-'General of lleallli. These proposals would mean lhal, Hie Council of ScicnLiilc and Industrial Research would be absorbed in Die now body.