1921.] Importation of Cattle: Eoyal Commission. 197 



average production though the more general introduction of 

 heavier cropping varieties must have tended to raise the 

 average yield. It is undouhtedly in this direction that greater 

 returns must be looked for in the future. When it • is 

 I'emembered that many of the newer varieties give yields under 

 favourable conditions of from 40 to 60 bushels per acre, it will 

 be seen that, even allowing for variations in soil, a substantial 

 increase in the average production miglit be obtained if these 

 varieties were more generally sown. Even an increase in the 

 average yield from 31J to 83 bushels per acre would mean a 

 total additional production approaching 400,000 quarters, and 

 would often determine the question of profit or loss to the 

 individual farmer. 



There has been practically no increase in the average yield 

 of barley, oats, or peas, though in the case of these crops equally 

 with wheat, much higher yields could undoubtedly be obtained 

 by the more general use of improved varieties. In the case 

 of potatoes the average yield during the past 15 years has 

 been about one-fifth of a ton more than in the preceding 

 20 years. This may conceivably be due to a more general 

 use of seed potatoes grown in another district. 



It was announced in the House of Commons on INIay 2nd 

 that a Eoyal Commission had been appointed — 



^ ^. . "To inquire into the admission into the 

 Importation of ,j . . ^^.^ , , , . . 

 Cattle • Ro al Ivmgdom oi live-stock tor purposes 



^ *. . other than immediate slaughter at the 



Commission. ^ , , , ^. n • 



ports, whether such action would increase 



and cheapen the meat supply of the country, and, if so, to 

 what extent, and whether it is advisable, having regard to 

 the necessity of protecting live-stock bred in the country, 

 from the introduction of disease, and of restoring their 

 numbers after the losses to which tltey were "Subjected 

 during the War.'.' 

 The members of the Commission are as follows: — 



I^ord Finlay {Chairman), 



Lord Ask with, 



Sir Algernon Firth, 



Sir Harry Peat, and 



Sir Arthur Shipley. 



