THE MOA SEED FARM

Evening Star, Issue 17926, 23 March 1922, Page 1

THE MOA SEED FARM

Tho question of continuing the growing of seed true to type is not only an important ono eo far as Otago is concerned, but includes the whole of the Dominion. It is not surprisng that special efforts arc being made by tho Otago Expansion League and others to bring influence to bear to induce the Government to continue the operations that have for some time past ■been carried out on the Moa Seed Farm at Bttrick. It is fully admitted that under the able management and control of such an authority as Mr Hod field the results have exceeded everyone’s expectations, and the Government has already expressed its high appreciation of tho excellent results so far attained.

The farm has been controlled by the local Repatriation Board and a small committee as an advisory board; but the time has now arrived when it is inevitable that the Repatriation Board must ceaso operations, and it was folly expected that tho Minister of Agriculture would agree to carry on operations on somewhat similar lines. It is to be hoped that the Hon. Mr Nosworthy will fully realise the importance of the operations now being conducted ; but should he finally decide to close down, it is pleasing to know that there is still every prospect of the Moa Seed Farm being continued and the present policy considerably extended. One suggestion which has been made for continuing the farm takes the form of an offer which has been made to tho Government for tho leasing of the property by a private syndicate for a period of five years. The gentlemen responsible for making this proposal explain that they have only done so as they are anxious that tho excellent results so far accomplished should at ail reasonable costs he continued, and the expert advice and experience of Mr Hadfield in seed growing should be retained. Tho offer provides for the appointment of a committee not exceeding five, on© of these being nominated by the Government and tho others subject to the approval of the Minister. The term suggested is a lease for five years, subject to a renewal for a further period under certain conditions. Tho total area of the property is 418 acres, and it is provided for in this proposal that approximately 200 acres of the settlement can b© immediately resumed by the Government should any soldier desire to take up a lease of any portion of that area. A subsidy of £3OO a year would bo provided by tho Government, and this sum would be spent entirely on experiments, the farm being run otherwise as a commercial proposition by the syndicate.