RUAKURA STATE FARM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 11

RUAKURA STATE FARM.

VALUE RECOGNISED BY

minister:

CLOSING NOT INTENDED.

(By Telegraph— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday.

"To my mind Ruakura performs a function distinct from that of Massey College," said the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Macmillan, in an interview today, when he commented on the recommendation of the National Expenditure Commission that educational work at the State farm should cease after the current term, and that the farm be subdivided and offered for closer settlement; , "If New Zealand were a country ol tenant-farmers, it might be possible to give scope for agricultural scientists as directors of farming operations," said the Minister, "but in New Zealand most farmers have an ambition to farm on their own account, and a year or two spent at an instruction school like Ruakura is invaluable in that they are taught sound methods, lack of which would prove very .costly- to many in later years. To my mind, there is not an occupation calling for greater knowledge than farming." - The disposal of the Te Kauwhata horticultural station was also recommended by the commission, but the Minister said that there was no present intention of adopting that proposal. The station paid its way and was performing a useful service.