BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 88, 12 October 1915, Page 2

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

At the laat meeting of the New Zealand Board of Agriculture, the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald attended, and was welcomed by the president (Sir James Wilson), who said that the Dominion was to be congratulated upon having a Minister of Agriculture who had all his life been connected with the land. Sir James also said that the board would do everything possible to second his efforts in the cause of agriculture, the primary industry of New Zealand. In his reply, the Minister stated that he was especially glad to meet the members of the board, who were recognised as representing the farmers of the Dominion. Mr. Mac Donald also said that he proposed to visit the Government Experimental Farm as soon as possible after the close of the session. A number of subjects of a confidential nature were discussed, and on leaving for his Parliamentary duties the Minister was thanked for his comprehensive address The Secretary of Agriculture reported that, acting upon the advice of the board, the Minister of Agriculture had accepted the offer made by the Board of Governors of the Ashburton High School to hand over to the Department for experimental and demonstration purposes an area of 120 acres near the school. Mr. Brown had met the school authorities, and arrangements were being made to start work at an \ early date on the lines agreed upon. The date of the collection of the sheep returns was discussed with the Government Statistician, Mr. Fraser. It was pointed out that the most accurate means of ascertaining the number i of sheep in the Dominion wag to take the number actually shorn and the number of lambs tailed, and it was agreed to alter the headings of the collectors' forms in order to obtain this information. A number of exhaustive reports from various members of the boards regarding the experimental farms were discussed at considerable length, and a committee was 'formed to draft a complete report for the Minister, giving the board's views as to the best policy to be adopted in regard to each farm, and as to the experimental and research work throughout the Dominion. Tho board also considered, and sent on to the Minister, a number of recommendations which has been forwarded to it by the Council of Agriculture, in* eluding amongst others the necessity for legislation to define the status of properly qualified veterinary surgeons, and to prevent farmers being imposed upon with impunity by persons possessing insufficient knowledge and no recognised qualifications, and who pose as properly qualified veterinary surgeons. Among other subjects dealt with were : The encouragement of the breeding of horses for military purposes ; a Pure Seeds Bill ; the compulsory analysis of stock foods; the veterinary examination of horses exported to Australia; the Orchards Act; and the supply of lime.