H.—34

DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE. The Development of Industries Committee met on a number of occasions during the year, and advice was given to the Government on several proposals and industries. With the appointment of the Chairman (Mr. G. A. Pascoe)- to the Tariff Commission, meetings were suspended, with the view to formulation of definite policies when the report was published. Increasing use is being made of the Committee and of the Department's resources by the Unemployment Board. MISCELLANEOUS. During the year the Department has been called upon to a greatly increased extent to deal with a wide range of miscellaneous problems. Among these may be quoted the following :— Chilled Beef. —In consequence of arrangements made between the Cambridge Low-temperature Research Station, Messrs. P. Borthwick and Co., and the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, the Department supervised the scientific details of the first successful shipment of chilled beef aboard the s.s. " Port Fairy." This shipment was the first commercial consignment of chilled meat to be carried in " gas " storage, and the date of its arrival at Southampton, 18th July, 1933, may well prove historic. The success of the shipment led to the equipment of gas-tight compartments to the " Port Chalmers," the first vessel to be specially built with this feature. Mould counts were taken of the atmosphere in the freezing-works ; records were kept of the flesh-temperatures from the time of slaughter until the meat arrived in England ; details regarding C0 2 concentration and other matters of interest were also recorded with a view to keeping as close as possible to the specification laid down by the Cambridge Low-temperature Research Station, as being requisite for successful transport. Further shipments are being watched and the optimum conditions investigated. It would appear that carbon dioxide in 8 to 10 per cent, concentration is definitely helpful in transport of chilled meat to keep down mould and bacterial growth. Uniformity of temperature at about 29° F. is desirable. Information is still required as to the most desirable degree of humidity. The problem is to avoid moulds, preserve the bloom and surface colour, and to avoid undue loss of weight and oxidation of fat whereby a tallowy-linseed-oil taste is acquired. The whole chain of storage and transport needs careful control —chillers, railway-vans, and ships. Notable improvements in the latter are a pleasing feature of the past few years. It would appear that pasture-fed New Zealand beef has definite advantage in regard to flavour compared with that produced by certain competitors. Cellulose. —Considerable attention has been given to the manufacture of cellulose fromphormium and the possible utilization of this plant as a source of cellulose. Fruit-juices. —Experiments have been in progress regarding the treatment of fruit-juices in such a manner as will allow them to be preserved and transported overseas without appreciable loss of flavour. Irrigation.—ln association with the Canterbury Progress League, Canterbury Agricultural College, the Lands and Survey Department, and the Public Works Department, attention has been devoted to irrigation experiments which have been in progress in Canterbury. Wool. —Considerable negotiations and investigations have been carried out regarding woolutilization overseas and the problem of wool research generally. It is hoped that a comprehensive scheme will be inaugurated shortly to provide for research and the collection and dissemination of information to wool-growers. Reports have been prepared on numerous questions relative to industry, including passion-fruit preservation ; asbestos-utilization ; bentonite ; diatomaceous earth ; tung ; pulping; kauri-gum refining ; utilization of kauri peat; resources of tanning-material ; oil resources ; alcohol-production ; coal-utilization problems, &c. Overseas Co-ordination.—The .value of maintaining a direct contact with overseas research developments, particularly those of Great Britain, has been exemplified during the year. The Department's Liaison Officer, Mr. Nevill Wright, who is attached to the High Commissioner's Office in London, has enabled the Dominion to have direct technical representation on the Executive Council of the Imperial Agricultural Research Bureau and on other bodies directly concerned with problems of moment to New Zealand. Through the Liaison Officer it has also been possible to secure advance information concerning industrial, scientific, or research tendencies which have proved of the utmost value.

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