H—46

Now know ye that We, reposing trust and confidence in your integrity, knowledge, and ability, do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint you, the said Ronald Hugh White, Richard Eddy, Lionel Charington Gardiner, Wallace Fletcher Metcalfe, Willis Alan Scaife, and Howard Wilfred Youren to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the conditions in and existing laws relating to or affecting the sheep-farming industry in New Zealand, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing authority—(l) The availability of land for sheep-farming and the opportunities available for taking up land for such purpose : (2) The condition and possible improvement of any land used, formerly used or capable of being used, for sheep-farming, and particularly the deterioration of any such land, especially high and hill country land, whether by erosion of soil, second growth of trees or plants, spread of noxious weeds, rabbits, depletion, or any other causes and the methods of improving or regenerating such land : (3) The production of the industry and methods of maintaining and increasing such production, whether by better management, increased top-dressing, improved pastures, or by any other means : (4) The availability, efficiency, and utilization of labour, both permanent and casual, in the industry, with special reference to the drift of rural population and the possibility and means of attracting labour to the country, including the improvement of rural housing and the provision of community, social, and recreational amenities comparable with those of the towns : And to report the steps which you may deem to be practicable and desirable to meet such detrimental conditions as you may find to exist in the industry in respect of the several matters aforesaid, whether by way of adjustment, reorganization, or otherwise, and any other measures which you may deem necessary or expedient to improve the conditions of the sheep-farming industry and to promote the welfare of the persons engaged or employed therein : And generally to inquire into and report upon such other matters arising out of the premises as may come to your notice in the course

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