TESTING OF SEEDS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 20, 18 October 1944, Page 8

TESTING OF SEEDS

Suggested Transfer Of

Station

NOT POSSIBLY AT PRESENT

A statement that due to war conditions the question of the transfer of the seedtesting station from Palmerston North to the South Island was not a practical issue at present was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Roberts, when the estimates of tli.e department were under consideration in the House last night. The matter was raised by Mr. Hodgens (Government, Palmerston North), who said the station had been in Palmerston North since 1928 and that it was more satisfactory to have it close to the grassland division, which was in the same city. Reports in the Press, said Mr. Hodgens, appeared to indicate that the Minister and officials of the department were giving favourable consideration to the transfer of the station to the South Island. Most of the staff consisted of young girls who could not be transferred. Mr. Gillespie (Opposition, Hurunui) said the production of small seeds had increased from a value of £200,000 four years ago to £1,000,000 last year. Ninety per cent, of the seeds were grown in the South Island, which had in those circumstances a greater claim to the testing station. The Minister said the young people who were doing the work at the station all had their homes in Palmerston North, and to move the whole establishment as had been suggested was more than could be undertaken at present. When war conditions eased the question could be considered again.