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representative as possible. This was carried out all over New Zealand, and a conference of producers' representatives so appointed was held in the Dominion Farmers' Institute on the 10th January, 1922. The Right Hon. Mr. Massey, Prime Minister, presided, and you also were present. All the members of the Board attended the conference. The Premier's address and that of Mr. D. Jones, M.l\, were very exhaustive. The Premier dealt with the subject from his experience afr%r seeing the meat trade in London, and Mr. Jones gave details of the meat-control proposal which had been carefully considered, and thought that if a committee were appointed to go more fully into the whole question, taking evidence from those interested in the trade, a Board could greatly help the producers by assisting in the pooling of meat, without unduly interfering with those already engaged in the trade. After the Government's proposal had been fully explained by the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and by Mr. D. Jones, M.P., chairman of the parliamentary Committee, the following motion was carried : " (1) That this meeting of New Zealand producers recognizes the necessity of a national scheme for the marketing of New Zealand meat, and supports the principle of a compulsory pool; (2) that a committee be appointed to bring this scheme cither wholly or partly into operation during the present, season." The meeting then proceeded to the election of the committee, with the result that the following were declared duly elected : For the North Island —Mr. W. Poison, Mr. J. S. Jessep, Mr. H. B. Williams, Mr. George Pearce, Mr. A. E. Harding, Mr. T. A. Duncan, Mr. W. Perry. For the South Island—Mr. J. Begg, Mr. A. J. Murray, Mr. J. C. N. Grigg, Mr. E. Bowmar, Mr. J. 0. Coop, Mr. D. J. Wright, Mr. E. P. Burbury. Subsequent to these meetings Parliament passed the Meat Export Control Act, 1921-22, setting up a Board with power to control the meat-export trade, consisting of two persons appointed by the Governor-General as representatives of the Government, and five persons elected as representatives of the producers of meat for export; also one representative of stock and station agents. Messrs. A. E. Harding and D. Jones, M.P., were appointed Government representatives ; Messrs. T. A. Duncan, J. C. N. Grigg, A. Hamilton, M.P., J. S. Jessep, and W. Perry were elected producers' representatives ; and Mr. W. D. Hunt was appointed by the Governor-General as the representative of stock and station agents on the Board. We view with great satisfaction the step that has been taken in the matter of meat-export control, which we firmly believe will be in the interests not of the producers alone, but of the whole Dominion generally ; and it is gratifying to know that the administration of the Act is in the hands of such a strong Board which is so thoroughly representative of the producers. Improvement tn Methods of handling Dairy-produce. The improvement in methods of handling dairy-produce, with a view of reducing the cost of production and preventing unfair competition between the various co-operative factories, was discussed at length by us with Dr. Reakes and the Director of the Dairy Division of tho Department of Agriculture. It was pointed out that there was a great deal of overlapping, owing to the fact that several co-operative factories were competing for cream-supplies in various districts, and that this constituted a risk of the quality of the manufactured output being impaired. We requested the Director of the Dairy Division to bring the matter up for discussion at Palmerston North when delegates of the dairying industry met there, with a view of trying to bring about more satisfactory arrangements than those at present existing. The Board thought, however, that much benefit would accrue from more co-operation in the truest sense being shown amongst dairy factories. Farm Dairy Instructors. —We. are also further of opinion that the work of farm dairy instructors, wholly Or partly paid for by dairy companies, but carrying out their duties with the authority of Government officers, was of great value in keeping the quality of our dairy-produce at a high standard, and that the cost involved by this was amply recouped by the better returns accruing. This matter was also discussed with the departmental officers, and the following resolution passed : " That in order to raise tin; quality of dairy-products, which is so essential to retain the high standard New Zealand butter and cheese has attained, the Board urges as a matter of the greatest importance that dairy companies should ask the Government to appoint, official farm dairy instructors. The Board believe that the companies will amply recoup any expense incurred by improving the quality of their products." Organization of Agricultural Bureaux in United States of America. This matter, which has been exercising the minds of the agricultural community, was discussed by us, and with a view to ascertaining what has been done in other countries in the way of consolidating farming interests we have taken steps to obtain, as full information as possible from the United States regarding the organization of different farmers' societies in that country. Much information has already been obtained, and as soon as our inquiries in the matter are completed the particulars will be furnished to the committee set up by the Council of Agriculture to go into the question of federating the various bodies representing farmers in Now Zealand. Boys' Agricultural Clubs. In connection with this matter we considered it desirable to foster as much as possible the formation of clubs amongst school-children, and thought that the initiatory steps in the matter should be taken by the farmers in the districts themselves. Dr. Reakes promised that his officers would