GENERAL CONDITIONS IN NEW ZEALAND 65 
with wheat growing are studied, and all students pass 
through a theoretical course along with their practical 
farming instructions. Quite recently the course for the 
degree of Bachelor of Agriculture has been instituted 
in the University of New Zealand, the technical part of 
which must be taken at the Agricultural College. 
(6) Board of Agriculture. —In another respect the 
Government encourages agriculture by means of the 
establishment of a Department of Agriculture, Indus- 
tries, and Commerce, under the direct Control of the 
Minister of Agriculture. Under the Act of 1913 this 
has been supplemented by the establishment of a Board 
of Agriculture, composed of twelve members whose 
functions are to advise the Minister of Agriculture on. 
matters relating to the development of agricultural and 
other rural industries in New Zealand. In particular the 
functions of the Board relate to the following matters :— 
(a) The aiding, improving and developing of agri- 
culture and all rural industries ; 
(b) The prevention and control of disease in stock 
and poultry, and the control of noxious weeds; 
(c) The establishment of agricultural colleges and 
agricultural education generally ; 
(d) The aiding or facilitating of the carriage and 
distribution of produce. 
The official publication of the Department of Agriculture 
is The Journal of Agriculture, which resembles similar 
publications of other countries. The results of all 
research work carried on at any experimental farms, as 
well as private work are published, and the farmer is 
kept in touch with modern developments and tendencies 
in his own particular branch.* 
Hence we see that the Government has the interests 
of the agricultural community at heart. The educative 
*The reconstruction of the Department of Agriculture is at 
present under consideration, and the functions of the Depart- 
ment may be considerably extended at an early date. 
Cc 
