H.—34a

It will be realized from the foregoing considerations that there are many possible avenues of improvement which may result in higher net returns to the woolproducer, particularly of the crossbred wools such as are produced almost exclusively in the North Island, and to a large extent in the South Island. It appears desirable that some organization should be set up to constitute a centre of information and research into all matters of importance to the sheep-farmer so that reliable information may be disseminated for their guidance, obtained both by local investigation and by liaison with overseas organizations. New Zealand seems to be lagging in this regard compared with other Empire countries. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Australia, has organized a Research Station and Bureau " for the fundamental study of the sheep with a view to building-up a body of knowledge which will enable definite guidance to be given to pastoralists so as to enable them to overcome certain serious difficulties with which they are at present faced.' A sum of £20.000 was given by a prominent squatter, Mr. F. I). McMaster, and the work is supported by the Austialian Pastoralist Research Trust and the Woolbroking and Pastoral Companies to an amount of £3,000 per annum. In South Africa, whose progress in wool-production is so marked during the past few years, an important step towards securing standardization of the various grades has been taken by the formation of woolgrowers' associations, and a Wool Council has been set up for research and investigation. The Council is financed by a levy of lOd. per bale of wool. In Canada, the Research Council has also organized a combined effort bv growers and manufacturers and, like South Africa and Australia, is working in co-operation with the Wool Industries Research Association of the British Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. All the above countries are importing improved sires for the improvement of their flocks. Numerous cases could be cited of industries in other parts of the world—e.g., rubber, cotton, &c.—which have successfully combined for co-operative action in investigating the problems of production and utilization of the product concerned, and experience in New Zealand, as in all parts of the world, has shown that progress can only be made when the industry itself takes the main part in any investigational activities undertaken on its behalf. Only in this way are the results of investigation quickly translated into necessary action in the industry and the programme of work fully adapted to its needs. In May last, meetings were held at Palmerston North, convened by a committee of woolgrowers in co-operation with Massey College, to discuss questions of wool improvement, when a report was presented by the Committee. On the concluding day of the meeting the question of organization of some permanent body was discussed, and it was unanimously resolved by a meeting of 350 sheepgrowers : " That the time had come when a concerted effort should be made to raise the standard of the sheep and wool of the North Island; that the Government be asked to pass legislation enabling the imposition of a levy of not more than threepence per bale on all wool grown in the North Island, or in the Dominion if the South Island wished to come into the scheme ; and that the total sum and any subsidies accruing be administered by a committee, elected by the sheep-farmers, whose duty it would be to organize and carry out a definite plan to bring about all possible improvements in the industry." A provisional committee was elected and asked to formulate more definitely the functions of the proposed permanent committee. This committee considered the matter and made the following suggestions : — (a) Instruction to Farmers. To set up an efficient advisory and instructional system for sheep-farmers ; the instructors to be appointed and controlled by the committee, to be practical men with a thorough knowledge of sheep and wool, and to lie engaged in giving lectures and demonstrations throughout the North Island. (b) Elimination of Scrub Sires. To introduce, with the co-operation of the Breed Societies, a suitable system for the voluntary inspection and certification of sires. The object of the scheme would be the elimination of scrub sires, that is, only animals which have definite major faults and which are undoubtedly a menace to the quality of our sheep and wool.

Organization for Improvement.

Action in other Empire Countries,

Recent Consideration by Woolgrowers.

15