CO129-587-17 Botanical and Forestry Department- proposed formation of agricultural section 22-8-1940 - 22-8-1940 — Page 21

16.

2/

areas in accordance with generally accepted principles i.e. in

reference to the utilisation of all available land and the

carrying out of necessary afforestation (iii) the possibilities

of giving assistance in regard to water supply problems i.e. water

storage facilities, pipe-lines, etc. (iv) inclusion of the Islands

in the general scheme e.g. Lantao and (v) the financial aspect of

the matter with special reference to co-operative efforts.

It is considered that the formulation of a definite policy is

essential, if real development is to result and the Colony's

food supply is to benefit.

III.

1.

FORMATION OF AN AGRICULTURAL SECTION.

General Statement.

From a perusal of I & II it will be apparent that assistance

to New Territories Agriculture and its further development, can

best be accomplished by the provision of an Agricultural

organisation, the function of which must be so to influence

future development that it will accord with generally accepted

agricultural principles. Further, owing to the special

circumstances such work must be devoted almost exclusively to

the requirements of Rural Agriculture. In view of this, it is

considered that any proposed Agricultural organisation should be on rather less specialised lines than those required for the

majority of the Colonies.

To fulfil these conditions an expansion of the Botanical

and Forestry Department to cover local Agriculture generally is a logical development. Such expansion would consist of setting

up the proposed Agricultural Section and fitting it into the

framework of the Department.

2. Lines of Development.

In order that expansion shall be properly planned it is

necessary to define the lines along which development in New

Territories Agriculture should be made.