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During the past decade there has been a shortage of graduates in agricultural science suitable for extension work. The few graduates available have generally been more interested in research than extension work. It is hoped that this diffidence of taking up extension work can be overcome, or the value of much of the research work being undertaken will be lost to the farming community. So great has been the shortage of agricultural graduates suitable for instructional work that the Department has had to plan part of its future recruitment through the rural cadet scheme, which provides for a thorough practical training in farming as well as academic instruction to diploma standard. Although the recruitment of agricultural graduates for the extension services has not been quite satisfactory during recent years, the Department has succeeded in securing a number pf competent field officers, thereby maintaining the extension services at a high level of efficiency. The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture is now taking a very important place in the Department's extension work. The monthly circulation now exceeds 70,000 copies, and should soon reach 90,000 a month, thus attaining the Department's objective that practically every farmer is a subscriber to the Journal. Food and Agriculture Organization Mr. E. J. Fawcett, Director-General of Agriculture, will be absent from New Zealand during the greater part of 1947 attending to the business of the Department and assisting in the deliberations of the Food and Agriculture Organization, of which he is a member of the Executive Committee. The present important work of FAO is to develop a World Food Council charged with securing international co-operation in the production and distribution of food. This proposal, together with the discussions now taking place on setting up the International Organization for Trade and Employment, may have very great effects on the future of New Zealand farming. Both aim at increasing international trade and employment, which, if secured, would be of great advantage in expanding our export markets. E. B. Tennent, Acting-Director-General.

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