H.—34.

by the contacts which have been maintained also with the abattoirs and freezingworks and with the boot-manufacturers, so that every link in the chain of leather production and utilization has been under supervision. As regards pelts, investigations in regard to special processing methods have been continued in order to ascertain the possibility of utilizing our raw material in the manufacture of higher-quality leather goods. Shipments of trial pelts have been regularly despatched for evaluation by a special technical committee in England, and these consignments have been processed in different ways and reported on. The variable nature of the results have indicated so far that seasonal variations in the quality of the skin are greater than have been reckoned on previously. GENERAL. Space does not permit a detailed description of the other minor research stations which I was privileged to visit, including that to the British Paint and Varnish Research Association, where interesting work has been carried out on tests of kauri-gum products, and to concerns co-operating with work designed to improve pelts from New Zealand, &c. A large and increasing number of technical inquiries on New Zealand problems are directed into appropriate channels by the Department's liaison officer attached to the High Commissioner's Office. Everywhere I found a genuine interest in New Zealand's produce, and a desire to co-operate to the fullest extent with New Zealand in research work relating to our products and resources. It only remains for us to do our share and encourage this co-operation, which is to the interest of producer and consumer alike. Such work is true inter-Imperial co-operation. G. W. FORBES, Minister in Charge op Scientific and Industrial Research Department.

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