H.—34a.

the Ryeland, are the only sheep to which breeders can turn if one omits the Merino ; the black fibres in the wool debar the use of the black-faced Down breeds. However, as you have pointed out, the College might well give a lead in this matter by determining the financial returns from the more reasonable crosses, as, for example, the value of Corriedale X Romney and Ryeland X Romney ewes for the production of Southdown cross fat lambs. It would make it possible to state their suitability with reasonable confidence. The results would, of course, have to be judged in the light of normal market conditions as well as the present-day state of affairs. While it is reasonable to anticipate an improvement in wool prices before long, since the present position cannot continue indefinitely, recovery is almost certain to be slow. During this period the finer wools will continue to be relatively cheap and so partially replace crossbreds. This period of low prices will be hard on the North Island hill farmers, but it is doubtful if, in the face of the dictates of the climate and the meat market, it would be wise to attempt to dilute the crossbred nature of the clip unless it be by the occasional and careful use of the Corriedale ram. A tremendous amount, however, can be done by improvement within the Romney breed. The fact must not be overlooked that well-bred Romney wool is fetching quite a fair price in comparison with the finer wools and that the super wools are eagerly sought after ; it is the hairy, shabby wools that are the drug on the market. Personally, I am strongly of the opinion that improvement within the breed is the crying need of the moment; a very large number of the small hill-country farmers really know very little about wool ; their chief aim when buying is to get well-grown strong-bodied sheep ; so far as the wool is concerned, they are very careless and many of them almost indifferent so long as there is plenty of it. The work of the College is certainly drawing attention to the importance of quality in wool ; the meetings held at the College, the large number of visits by farmers to the wool-research laboratories, the articles published from time to time, and the lectures and demonstrations given at shows and farmers' meetings are all playing their part in driving home to people's minds the essential characters of good wool. A tremendous amount, however, remains to be done ; the field is being quite inadequately covered, and I know of no more urgent need and profitable investment than the appointment of an additional man with a sound knowledge of wool from the grower's angle to carry out demonstration work among the farmers. Working from the College as headquarters, this man should spend his whole time working through the different districts. The College is recognized as the wool-research centre for the North Island, and has a large connection among the farmers. Under its aegis a sound man would get an excellent hearing ; he would be in close touch with the technical staff at this end which would provide the necessary support for him in view of the numerous points and problems which would be put to him, and, further, he would automatically gather valuable information for the research end of the organization. Frankly, the relative neglect of the wool industry is an extraordinary anomaly in New Zealand's agricultural organization. When one considers the value of the clip in normal times and the fact that a large proportion of the country can never be used for anything but sheep, one marvels at the absence of any energetic and well-organized effort to build up and maintain quality. Grain, pastures, and particularly dairying, are receiving all the attention, while wool, the most valuable single export in normal times, has been left to get on as best it can, in spite of the fact that there is a host of small men who are asking for a lead. In view of the present economic position, the importance of concentrating on quality is greater than ever. Far too large a proportion of our crossbred clip is hairy and shabby, and I would earnestly recommend the appointment of a man such as I have indicated as being one of the best ways of improving the situation. In this case there would be no question of gambling on the results of research ; a very considerable body of knowledge merely awaits efficient dissemination and a return on the financial outlay would be almost immediately forthcoming. In spite of the importance of curtailing expenditure, certain services are essential; productive avenues cannot be neglected if we are to weather the storm. At present we are standing by apparently unconscious of the existence of a big economic leakage. One penny per pound rise in the value of our clip is worth £1,000,000 per annum to the country, compared with which the salary of an efficient officer would be a mere bagatelle. To summarize : The use of Merino rams is, I think, impracticable ; the periodic use of Corriedale rams may increase on the East Coast, the brake on this practice being applied by the buyers of draft ewes for breeding fat lambs ; indiscriminate crossing in an effort to evolve a new type of fine-woolled meaty sheep is not likely to occur to any extent since the Corriedale and perhaps the Ryeland are the only sheep to which breeders can turn ; the College could put in hand experiments on the financial returns to be obtained from Corriedale X Romney ewes and Ryeland X Romney ewes used for the production of Southdown cross fat lambs; the most promising field of endeavour is selection and improvement within the Romney breed ; a tremendous amount of improvement could be effected without awaiting any results from research if a man with a sound knowledge of sheep and wool were appointed to work from the College, with the main object of instructing the small hill-country farmer. There are several suggestions connected with marketing and the use of the benzol test which I trust I may have the opportunity of placing before you during your coming visit to the College.

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