SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
and marketing problems, and to advise regarding the different features of the 
undertaking might be possible on the basis of a recognised co-operative arrange- 
ment, and he stated that if a formal request from the Institute of Science and 
“Industry for such co-operation were received, he would bring the matter up for 
determination. 
Commenting on Mr. Taylor’s letter, Mr. Daniel Jones said that he had 
frequently found oceasion to question the value of official statistics in Australia 
regarding the yield of cotton. He said that Queensland obtained a much larger 
yield per acre than can be obtained in the United States of America. He thought 
that natural conditions in Queensland would more than compensate for even 
higher cost of labour than in other countries. He also considered that, in view 
of the close knowledge possessed in Australia of the habits in this country of the 
cotton shrub, and of the fact that the climatic and other conditions are totally 
different in Australia to those of the cotton regions in America, the only prac- 
tical information of value which American experts could furnish is in connexion 
with up-to-date machinery for ginning the fibre. 
9. The ginning and marketing of the cotton in Queensland is carried out by 
the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. Growers receive an 
adyance on delivery of the cotton in the seed, and the balance, if any, is paid to 
them after the sale of the product. Last season (1918) an advance at the rate 
of 2d. per Ib. was made, and the price eventually received by the cultivators was 
4d. per Ib. The lint realized 1s. 1d. per Ib. 
10. As indieated above, the Executive has obtained from America a large 
amount of information re inventions for mechanical cotton pickers. As far as 
can be ascertained, an efficient mechanical picker has not been devised in that 
country. Statements recently made in the Melbourne press to the effect that 
mechanical pickers are used in the United States of America appear to be incor- 
rect. It is impracticable to forecast whether an efficient picker will be devised 
as a result of the experiments which are being carried out by the Advisory 
Council at Brisbane. 
Though the cultivation of cotton on extensive areas may be impracticable in 
Queensland owing to labour conditions until an efficient mechanical picker is 
devised, the extension of cultivation on small areas may be considerably extended 
if a suitable price is offered to the farmers. 
11. The position in regard to cotton in the British Empire is dealt with in a 
report recently issued by the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of 
Trade to consider the position of the textile trades after the war (Cd. 9070, 1918). 
The Committee recommends, inter alia, that the British Government should 
immediately appoint a Special Committee to investigate in all its bearings the 
question of increasing the supply of cotton in the British Empire. r 
12. The Executive Committee is of the opinion that the cultivation of cotton 
in Australia would be considerably extended if a suitable price were guaranteed, 
This might be done in the same way as that adopted in the purchase of flax 
under the Commonwealth Flax Industry Regulations. From information received 
by the Committee it appears that if cotton were produced in anything like a 
considerable quantity capital would be forthcoming for the establishment of 
factories for the treatment of the raw material, especially for the manufacture 
of coarser fabrics. 
13. In May, 1913, following upon representations made by the Dominions 
Royal Commission, the Commonwealth Government agreed to contribute up to 
£500 towards the expenses of an expert to visit Australia for the purpose of 
examining the possibilities of extending the cultivation of cotton. This offer was 
communicated to the British Cotton Growing Association, and, after certain 
negotiations, it was decided that instead of obtaining an expert to visit Australia, 
a specialist in cotton growing should be employed for three years in connexion 
with the Queensland Department of Agriculture, the Commonwealth to contribute 
£500 towards his salary. No further progress was, however, made towards the 
appointment of a specialist, though the necessary funds were provided on the 
Commonwealth Estimates. 
If it be decided to engage the services of an expert to investigate and report 
on the matter, the Executive Committee is of the opinion that he should carry 
out his work under the wgis of the Institute of Science and Industry. 
170 
