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The Lesser Primary Industries. In addition to the progress registered in the main industries of the Dominion, there has been considerable activity in products of lesser importance individually, but nevertheless valuable adjuncts in the diversification of primary production. It has been realized by dairy-farmers in particular that pigs properly managed can be so exploited as to increase the gross returns from butterfat by as much as 2d. per pound, despite the low prices ruling for pig products. The realization is reflected in an increased slaughter for the twelve months ended 31st March last, the total of 508,623 killed in 1931-32 being exceeded by 48,833 carcasses. The actual figures for pigs killed at meat-works and abattoirs for the season ended 31st July, 1933, were 522,182, compared with the previous season's total of 370,469. The quantity of pork exported reached a total of 186,652 cwt., compared with 104,882 cwt. for the corresponding previous period. An additional indication of the fanners' awakening interest in pigs is found in the difficulty at present experienced in the purchase of brood sows. It is realized officially, however, that much remains to be done to place this industry in the position it warrants, and to expedite matters a special Pig Industry Committee has been established. This Committee commenced to function in July, 1932, and has held six meetings in Wellington. Its personnel is comprised of representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Scientific and Industrial Eesearch, Meat Board, Dairy Board, Massey Agricultural College, Canterbury Agricultural College, Waikato Pig Recording Club, N.Z. Co-operative Pig Market inn Association, Bacon Curers' Association, Pig Breeders' Association, and the New Zealand Farmers' Union. This Committee so far has I n mainly concerned with the drafting of provisions for a uniform system of pig grading for the local and export markets; these now having been gazetted. In addition, recommendations have been considered for the establishment of a pig-recording scheme on national lines, and for the certification of purebred sows on a performance basis. It is anticipated that this Committee will eventually be responsible for investigation into pig management methods generally, and will undertake propaganda calculated to encourage and direct production of pig products. The poultry industry has received a considerable amount of attention during the year, particularly in respect to organization calculated to improve the co-operation of producers themselves. It is recognized that the industry cannol be placed on a sound footing from the production and marketing viewpoints until poultry-keepers have a truly representative organization. During the year some 5,264 cases of eggs in shell and a small consignment of pulp were exported, but it has been appreciated by producers and the egg trade generally that a more determined effort must be made to control the llush-production period by export of a greater quantity during that time. To this end, action has been taken to set up egg export committees in each of the four main centres, with a central executive committee stationed in Wellington to co-ordinate activities. In each instance, producers, selling-agents, and the Department of Agriculture are represented on the committees. It is hoped that this organization will facilitate export in the future. So far as fruit is concerned, the apple crop in the 1932-33 season was below the average in production, but other classes of fruit were in excess of the previous year. The export season of 1932 accounted fur the shipment of approximately 1,596,000 cases of apples and pears, or an increase of 240,000 cases over the 1931 exports. The prices procured overseas were relatively satisfactory, the net cost to the State under the Government guarantee being in the vicinity of £2,000 only. The export season of 1933, just ended, closed with a total export of approximately 1, 1.'i0,000 cases, and records to hand indicate thai the returns from later sales will be distinctly disappointing. A feature of the year was the prohibition of imports of fruit and vegetables grown in the Commonwealth of Australia. During the year experimental exports have been undertaken in association with the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, notably of plums and peaches. Work has also been undertaken to test the practicability of keeping onions in cool store for the purpose of spreading supplies of the Dominion-grown article on the local market. As regards the honey industry, production was again low, prices received by beekeepers being also disappointing. An effort to place the industry on a better footing all round is in progress. The hemp industry continues to feel the full force of the depression, despite financial assistance from the Unemployment Board in the way of a bonus on export hemp. Some hope is centred on the proposed establishment of a factory at Foxton for the manufacture of woolpacks and sacks from flax fibre, but some time must elapse before its effects on the industry generally are felt. The weak feature in the hemp industry at the present time is that Australia and New Zealand are mainly relied upon as avenues of disposal. In order to secure any permanence in expanding output, it is essential to more firmly establish our fibre on the American and European markets, where, provided regular delivery of uniform material can be guaranteed, recognition of its undoubted qualities for cordage purposes should rapidly be regained.

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