THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1492, 15 July 1912, Page 8

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

VOICE OF TIIE FARMERS. * "Reverting to its oft-expressed view that a Uuard of Agriculture should be' appointed to'control tho Agricultural Depart■ment,.the "Farmers' ("nion Advocate' remarks that if anything were needed to emphasise the necessity of separating the Department of Agricnlture from the arena of politics, tho rapid changes of parties and Ministers of the recent past should be sufficient Jo do so. We do not forget, th* journal ill question, ndds, tho words of the lion. Thos. Mackenzie to 'the effect that tho farmers' attitude to the Ministry, might make him consider his attitude to the farmer as Minister for Agriculture. Mr. Mackenzie did not mean this a.s n threat, hut merely to. show that political support meant bolter opportunities for assistance to agriculture. The remark, however, brought into prominenct! the fact that, the education of , the farmer and tho development, of the primary industry stood lo lose heavily by a change of' Ministers. . j'ast experience has shown that this has lieen the case. 'Continuing, the fanners' paper says:— "Should Mr. Ma-ssey retain, the portfolio of Agriculture, wo will certainly have a practical farmer at the head, but'can it be said that it is possible for him to give adequate attention to if, and fulfil the Diieroiis and multifarious duties of the Premiership. We trust that Mr. Mas.'-sy will not shoulder such ti burden, but will l>e content to be tho nominal head and delegate, his powers to lay ('own the policy of the Deportment to a Hoard of Control, composed of capable men, who have made a study of the agricultural needs of the Dominion. Mr. Jlassey has the opportunity now to give agriculture in Xew ;Zealand a. push forward and upward, clear of the disorganising and retrogressive effect of party strife."