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Export Control Act, and its bringing into operation by a large majority vote of the whole industry. The Dairy-produce Control Board subsequently elected got to work quietly and effectively, and a delegation of its members is now on a tour of investigation covering Britain, the Continent of Europe, and America, prior to definite formulation of the Board's policy and plans of action. The Meat-producers' Board has completed a second year of useful and varied work for the pastoral industries it represents. The Board's policy, as summed up in its annual report for 1923-24, is 'to obtain the highest net prices for the producer, and to establish a standard of quality that will put our meat in a class by itself." As regards wool, the New Zealand Wool Committee has continued to do good work in regulating offerings at the local sales, and arrangements for its continuance in a reconstituted form are now having attention. The Board of Agriculture, presided over by Sir James Wilson, has functioned as usual in its valued advisory capacity. The practical experience of members, covering various farming interests and different districts of the Dominion, has afforded much guidance and support in connection with the Department's operations. According to precedent the annual report of the Board is presented to Parliament as a separate paper. The subject of agricultural education in its several grades has received during the year an increasing measure of attention from various authorities. The establishment of a Chair of Agriculture at Victoria University College, Wellington, as a result of the fine monetary gift made by the late Sir Walter Buchanan and subsidized by the Government, forms a landmark in the Dominion's agricultural annals which it is hoped will be the beginning of much further development on related lines Government support has been promised for the establishment of at least one, and possibly two, well staffed and equipped agricultural colleges. The beneficial effects of these measures on primary production in future years cannot fail to make themselves felt. It seems evident that this country must be prepared in the near future to meet increasing competition with most of its staple exports on the world's markets, accompanied probably by a lower range of values. The self-reliant course for meeting this position is by increased efficiency at all points—by better farming practice, increased output, higher quality of produce, and lower cost of production, handling transport, and marketing. There is also room for greatly extended sound co-operative effort along the chain from producer to consumer. Well-directed scientific research can be of great and far-reaching assistance at all points. We should not presume too much on the natural advantages of our country, but build well and soundly on the fine foundation they have given us. The accompanying statement by the Director-General of the Department, in which are also embodied reports by the heads of the various branches, indicates the wide range covered by the organization, and records briefly a large amount of useful work carried out during the year. Development of the Department's instructional activities has continued with satisfactory results. The scientific specialists on the staff have also placed much valuable work to their credit. A steady strengthening of this side will be necessary, both as regards existing activities and in other fields of investigation hitherto unrepresented. The staff of the Department as a whole has done excellent service, of which 1 record my full appreciation. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture.

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