266 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF RURAL 

 INDUSTRIES. 



/. Knight. 



Inspection of Exported Products. 



During the past few years a system of inspection of farm produce 

 has been adopted, and certificates are given for all produce up to 

 the recognised standard of quality and condition. This originated 

 from the War Office authorities requesting the Department to look 

 to the fulfilment of the conditions of the contracts entered into by 

 State merchants for supplies to the army. From this it has extended 

 to private shipments, the inspection being made free of cost. But, 

 during the last year, a minimum charge of one shilling has been 

 made, and one shilling per hour for all inspections extending over one 

 hour, and this appears to work satisfactorily. Mr. Gamble, who has 

 charge of the office, and is also responsible during my absence, 

 attends to this portion of the work. It is needless to say that this 

 entails the keeping of records of accounts and all shipments made, 

 also supplying reliable information to the Department as to the 

 nature and extent of exports, and arranging for inspections to be 

 made from time to time. The importance of this may be shown by 

 the number of certificates issued for the past twelve months, viz. : 

 3,261. 



I may also point out that this office has been approached with a 

 view to dealing with the wheat exports. Many of the large firms 

 consider that the quality and standard of the products shipped should 

 be shown on a Government certificate; and, further, where cereals 

 are purchased from various parts of the State, that the onus of 

 rejection in fairness to both shipper and producer should rest with an 

 authorised sampler, who should be under the control of the Depart- 

 ment. I see no reason why this should not be done on the same 

 principle as the inspections now made for export. 



It is the practice in other ports to protect the merchants in this 

 way, and if such a system could be worked out here there is no 

 doubt it would tend to improve the status of our products and 

 assist materially in developing a healthy export trade, which would 

 be to the advantage of our farmers, as much of the grain sent foi'ward 

 for shipment is not of standard quality. 



Inspections under Bonus Regulations. 



This work of inspection has decreased considerably during the 

 last year, and may be said to be confined to flax growing, fibre 

 production, and broom corn. This falling off is due to a large 

 extent to the high prices ruling for ordinary farm products. 



Unfortunately, intermittent supplies tend to affect the market for 

 these products, and the trade are unable to put reliance on the 



