H.—29.

1934. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1933-34.

Presented to both Houses of the, General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Wellington, 14th August, 1934. Sir, — I have the honour to forward herewith, for your Excellency's information, the report of the Department of Agriculture for the financial year ended 31st March, 1934. The report continues the story of the extensive and varied activities of the Department in its task of assisting the development of rural industries in fullest conformity with the national welfare. It shows that the advisory, regulatory, and research functions of the Department have been maintained broadly along the lines that have been adopted in recent previous years and that have been productive of good results. These results constitute evidence of sincere and successful endeavour to minimize the hampering influences of the difficulties arising from the necessity of practising the strictest national economy. It has been said that thirty years elapse before the results of research are translated into farming practice, and so it is gratifying that the report indicates that at times in New Zealand there is a much shorter interval between the discovery and the application of knowledge of practical value. This probably may be attributed in part to the close correlation of research and advisory activities which is possible when, as in the Department, both are functions of the one organization. In the principal rural industries the past year must be characterized as very successful if viewed solely from the point of volume of production. A favourable season and increased effort and efficiency on the part of the farming community were important factors contributing towards the attainment of this result. During the year the recent downward trend in the number of sheep has been reversed. A substantial increase in the total number of sheep was recorded, and it would seem that a heavy proportion of the increase consists of breeding-ewes. There were increases also in the Dominion totals of cattle and pigs, but a slight decline in horses. A most welcome and satisfactory feature of the farming year was the improved prices of such staple products as wool and lamb. This is reflected in the export values for the year ended 30th June, which are of particular interest in that they cover a complete production year. In the year ended 30th June, 1934, 822,396 bales of wool exported were valued at £13,287,458, whereas the corresponding figures for 1933 were 801,633 bales and £6,703,359. At the end of June, 1934, the stocks of wool in the Dominion were depleted, and were lower than at the correspondingdate in any of the four seasons immediately preceding. Though there was a decline I—H. 29,