0 
suggested that the question of experimental work with a view to the production of 
industrial alcohol should be referred to the Department of Scientific and Industrial 
Research. 
EASTERN COLONIES. 
The Committee has been but little concerned with the larger Colonies and 
Dependencies in this group, namely, Ceylon. Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements 
and the Federated Malay States, which are on so considerable a scale that they are 
able to conduct all necessary researches out of their own resources. The only 
proposals from an Eastern Colony which have been dealt with by the Committee are 
those of Seychelles. 
Seychelles. 
Particulars of the researches desired by this Colony will be found in Appendix 
II. Sir David Drain was asked for his observations in the matter, and replied that 
it was clear that the services of a competent mycologist were urgently required in 
the Islands, and that those of an entomologist were at least desirable. Sir David 
Prain added that, in the event of its being found impossible to provide salaries for 
both the suggested officers, it would be advisable to employ, if such a man could be 
found, a well-qualified agricultural pathologist, competent to deal fully with inyco- 
logical questions, and at the same time sufficiently, if partially, with those ento¬ 
mological questions that call for solution. The man selected should, in addition, 
know enough about matters connected with the soil to be able to take a broad view 
of pathological questions generally. 
The Committee recommended that a grant of £1,200 should be made to cover the 
expenses of the employment of such an officer for a period of one year, provided that 
the Colonial Government gave an assurance that the expenditure would be refunded 
if that officer’s researches resulted in any discovery of marked economic value to the 
local agricultural industries. 
The Committee also considered a suggestion, which the local Government were 
inclined to press, to the effect that the fisheries were capable of considerable develop¬ 
ment. and ought to be made the subject of expert investigation. Upon this subject 
the Committee had the benefit of the advice of Professor Gardiner who had visited 
the Colony and had trawled in its waters. He stated that the marine banks were 
coral banks less than 30 fathoms in depth, and were incapable of supporting a large 
fish population. He found no evidence and saw no probability of the existence of fish 
in commercial quantities. In these circumstances the Committee decided that they 
could not recommend that any further action should be taken in the matter. 
Sr** 
MEDITERRANEAN. 
The only question relating to these Colonies which has been specifically referred 
to the Committee is that of the development of the wine industry in Cyprus arid 
Malta, This question was considered at a meeting which was attended by Mr. P. 
F. Chaplin, Mr. L.^ R. M. Chaplin and Lord Blyth. Mr. P. F. and Mr. L. R. M. Chaplin 
gave an account of the present position of the wine industry in Cyprus, with which 
they had been long and closely connected. They considered that the area under 
cultivation could easily be extended and that the extension could be made upon areas 
which are at present uncultivated and accordingly without detriment to any other 
crop. When they were asked in what way they thought that the Government of 
Cyprus could give further assistance to the industry, they considered that it would 
be useful if the members of the Agricultural Department, who already gave in¬ 
struction in wine cultivation to the peasants, could be enabled to devote more time 
to this work, and they thought it advisable that the Agricultural Department should 
obtain the services of a man who had had experience of wine cultivation in other 
countries and could give the present instructors the advantage of his experience. 
The Committee were of opinion that the suggestions of Mr. P. F. and Mr. L. 
R. M. Chaplin were matters for the. attention of the Colonial Government. 
The Committee accepted a proposal that a suitable officer should be employed 
to make enquiries regarding wine production in foreign Mediterranean countries, 
3L36S 
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