im<i-:sii)knt's aodrkss. 23 



bye-product in suj^ar mainifactiire, hut, as that is hniitecl in 

 amount, recourse mttst he had at no distant date to maize or 

 otlier cereals, potatoes, etc. The agrimotor, of which hundreds 

 are now at work dav and night in ( ireat Britain and France, 

 is a product of the war, and witli chea]-) alcohol motor fuel, 

 derived from maize which he himself grows, to drive his 

 mechanical cultivators, who shall say that the lot of the farmer 

 of the future will not be a happy one? It will be seen that the 

 subject of maize — its products and bye-products — is receiving 

 the attention of tlie Scientific and Technical Committee. 



There is abundant evidence that the country realises the need 

 of a more forward ])olicy with regard to the development of 

 agriculture and its allied industries. A deputation from the 

 South African National Union — an organisation which is doing 

 good work in encouraging the use of South African products — 

 recently waited upon the Minister of Agrictdture and indicated 

 the following as the directions in wdiich action was necessary 

 to stimulate productive expansion: the bringing of all sections 

 of the agricultural population in closer touch with the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculttire ; more roads, railways and bridges; pro- 

 vision for the collection of ]jroduce in areas situated at a dis- 

 tance from the railways ; mechanical cultivation by means of 

 cheap power ; and a greater yield per acre. In striving after a 

 greater yield per acre we are confronted with many of the im- 

 portant questions of the day : closer land settlement and greater 

 co-operation amongst the farmers, water conservation, irrigation, 

 afforestation, soil erosion, and the production and use of fer- 

 tilisers. 



On closer land settlement hinge many South African pro- 

 blems ; in its train it brings increased employment, increased 

 production, and, as a conse(|uence, greater industrial expansion ; 

 while it is regarded as one of the favourite remedial measures 

 for the " j)Oor white " problem. The (jovernment has admitted 

 that land settlement : chcmes in the past have not pnn-ed the 

 success anticipated. Faikire has been attributed to the luisuita- 

 bilitv and lack of enterprise and energy on the part of the settler, 

 and to the unsuitability of the soil. The problem is admittedly 

 a very difficult one, accentuated by the usual lack of capital on 

 the part of the settler ; but difficulties have been experienced in 

 the initial stages in other countries, which have now successful 

 settlement schemes. Land settlement and irrigation schemes are 

 expensive undertakings, but the bold and welcome progressive 

 policv which has been decided upr.n must redotmd to the national 

 i>ood in the long run. In addition to total commitments of 

 nearlv one and three (|uarter millions, ])reviously approved, new 

 commitments of close on one million sterling have been accei:)ted 

 during the present session for irrigation projects. 



We also want a \igorous afforestation ])olicy. Timber is 

 used as a material in ])ractically every industry, and its increas- 

 ing use has for .some vears caused no little anxiety as to the 



