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MINISTER'S STATEMENT The work outlined in the report indicates steady progress in all directions of research activity, with a gradual preparation for a change-over from the meeting of urgent military requirements to sustained programmes of assistance to longer-term industrial development. It is now possible- to see in more perspective the results of past long-range efforts in certain major directions. The work of the Grasslands Division over the past years in the production of new strains of pasture plants up to the stage where their perpetuation on a high standard could be maintained by a certification system has proved to be sound and capable of exerting ever-increasing economic benefit. Work of a similar nature at the Agronomy Division has served to maintain a high standard of seed for all arable crops despite the vicissitude of the war years. These efforts have also shown that it is possible to produce seed locally of such merit as to obviate the necessity for importation. The Plant Diseases Division, in addition to exercising its research functions in so far as the main crop diseases are concerned, has developed the counterpart of a certification system whereby fruittrees of proved quality are available for future requirements of the fruit industries. The activities of the Entomological Division have resulted in an increasing measure of control over pests affecting pastures, rape, and turnip crops, thereby enabling the productive capacity of these crops to be markedly augmented. The Soil Survey Division has also proved its value, and the demands for soil surveys from all sources are now far greater than can be met. The Division has also been found valuable in connection with a number of works projects both of the Government and of local bodies. Special attention has been given during the year to the question of implementation of research findings into practice, together with economic and technical reviews of industry in order to ascertain avenues where scientific guidance can be of assistance. For example, using the maps prepared by the Soil Survey Division as a basis land utilization surveys of one county with particular reference to its dairy and sheep industry have been undertaken and valuable deductions have emerged of considerable economic significance with regard to the productive capacity, fertilizer requirements, and management conditions for each soil type. Steps are well advanced to meet more adequately the needs of manufacturing industries. A Manufacturers' Research Committee has been established and is rapidly ascertaining the nature of the research guidance which our secondary industries require to meet the post-war changed conditions. Research associations have been extended and steps are in hand for direct technical servicing, particularly of smaller manufacturing concerns. In addition, considerable demands from industry for direct technical co-operation have been met, particularly in regard to testing of products and the provision of special instruments for manufacturing process control. Outstanding service has been given in this regard by the Dominion Physical Laboratory to those factories engaged in essential industries. The Dominion Laboratory has also shown increased activity, over thirty thousand samples having been analysed during the year for Government Departments and industry. Noteworthy achievements have been the design of a seeddrier which has had the effect of considerably increasing the value of certain export seeds, and the constant supervision of the engineering and technical problems associated with the fruit and vegetable dehydration plants now in operation. All the Department's research institutes have given increased and real service—for example the Wheat Research Institute has evolved a new wheat strain equal equal in yield to Cross 7, fiut with a considerably higher baking score and protein content, while, in addition, milling practice has been improved so as to ensure higher food value being secured from the flour produced. Tobacco-research work has resulted in considerable measure of control being secured in the field over mosaic disease and has indicated that it is possible to produce locally high-quality seed, rendering New Zealand independent in this respect. The Geological Survey has shown increased activity, particularly in regard to the economic minerals —for example, those which have a bearing upon the ceramics, coal, fertilizer, and certain other industries. The staff establishment has been increased in anticipation of post-war requirements preparatory to information likely to be required by the Organization for National Development, while priority has been given to publication of bulletins which have been delayed owing to war conditions. In order more adequately to collate and disseminate the considerable supply of scientific information now available both from our own efforts and from our overseas liaison officers, an Information Section has been organized and established during the year and is being availed of increasingly. It is hoped that this step will assist in the putting into practice locally of new knowledge. Developments in the technical aspects of industry have been accelerated during recent years all the world, and a large effort is needed if we are to keep reasonable pace with overseas developments. D. G. SULLIVAN, Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research Department.

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