H —34,

A survey of the activities of my Department during the past year reveals that they are associated with almost every industrial activity of the Dominion —- both agricultural and manufacturing. The farmer is being helped by soil surveys, pasture studies, and research on field crops, plant and animal diseases, and dairy problems. The first bulletin of a series describing the results of the soil and land utilization survey of Hawke's Bay has now been published. It deals with land-utilization of the Heretaunga Plains, and presents information in regard to the potentialities of the Plains for increased and more diversified production. This is already proving its value in connection with proposed expansions in the canning industry. Pasture surveys, experiments on the nutritive value of pastures, the production of improved strains of fodder crops such as lucerne and rape, and investigations on diseases such as bush-sickness and facial eczema are alb of vital interest to the pastoralist. The dairy industry is being served by investigations on all aspects of the production of milk and the manufacture of dairy products. Work on the important problem of maintaining the activity of cheese starters has been carried a stage further during the year by the discovery that atmospheric contamination is an important factor in causing failures. New information is being provided for the fruitgrower regarding alternative uses for his fruit —e.g., by the manufacture of fruit juices, and improved methods of storing fruit for the local market by the use of carbon dioxide gas have been worked out. Tobacco-growers are receiving guidance as to the control of disease and methods of curing their leaf. Research which is of direct interest to the seedgrower is proceeding on methods of drying seed and on losses of vitality of seed through attack by insects or fungi. Contact with manufacturing industries is maintained through the research associations established specifically for the tanning and shoe manufacturing industries, and for wool manufacturers, as well as in a variety of other ways. The Wool Manufacturers' Research Association, which was established last year, has proved of real assistance to one of our largest manufacturing industries, and indirectly also to a major primary industry. The flax-miller has benefited by the designing of a tail-stripper which gives a greatly improved performance m comparison with the machines which have been in use for the past half century. The search for raw materials for industry, particularly gold, coal, oil, iron, and other important minerals, is being assisted by geological and geophysical surveys. A most important section of this work is the survey of the quantity and quality of the various types of coal in New Zealand, which has provided indispensable information in connection with the Government's proposal to establish an iron and steel industry. The study of the human element, as the central and most important factor in our industrial life, is the special work of the Social Science Research Bureau. A survey of the standards of living of selected groups is in progress, and the first of a series of reports on this work is in course of preparation. The rapid extension of civil and military aviation services has necessitated much increased forecasting work on the part of the Meteorological Office, and made imperative the building-up of additional highly trained personnel to ensure adequate and reliable weather information being always readily available. This necessarily brief survey indicates the wide impact of research on all phases of industrial activity in New Zealand and the extent of the service that is being provided. D. G. Sullivan, Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research Department.

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