H—29

1946 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR 1945-46

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

Sir, — I have the honour to forward for Your Excellency's information the report of the Department of Agriculture for the financial year ended 31st March, 1946. The report provides a summary of the principal farming activities of the year and outlines the comprehensive and numerous activities of the Department. The accompanying statement by the Director-General of Agriculture outlines the production programme for the 1946-47 season and discusses a long-term policy of agricultural development in the Dominion. The reports of the Directors of Divisions cover all phases of the Department's work. I have, &c., B. Roberts, Minister of Agriculture. His Excellency the Governor-General.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL The world-wide crisis in food-supplies has been emphasized during recent months, and as a result the importance of New Zealand as a source of supply of animal fats and proteins has been brought into prominence. Shortages will not be overcome for several years, and the present drive for greater production represents the commencement of orderly and progressive development of farming in the post-war era. During the war, apart from special seasonal efforts in the production of food and fibre crops, the Dominion followed and was asked to follow its traditional methods of live-stock farming leading to the production of dairy-produce, meat, and wool. Spectacular increases in animal products cannot be achieved in a few years even in peacetime, for increased production requires the provision of additional breeding animals and more pasture lands or improvement in carrying-capacity on existing pasture lands.