AGRICULTURAL FINANCE

Evening Star, Issue 19634, 13 August 1927, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL FINANCE

SELL STATE FARMS [From Ouk Parliamentart Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 12. That two State farms in the North Island should be sold, and the proceeds go to finance the new Agricultural College was a suggestion made during the financial debate by Mr Jones (Ellesmere). The establishment of an Agricultural College had, ho said, completely altered the whole aspect of agricultural instruction. The balance-sheets showed that in 1925 there was a loss on Ruakura of £6,426, while last year’s loss was £6,919. Weraroa Farm, in Manawatu, lost £3,364 in 1925, and £9,461 last year. These State farms were established years ago because they were regarded as the best system of agricultural instruction, but it was recognised to-day that they were a mistake. These farms were once looked on as the best breeding places for stock. They did valuable work, but there were so many private breeders that they were no longer needed. The capital cost of these farms totalled £143,000, and taking their average losses, these amounted to £13.105 annually. “I suggest that these farms be disposed of; cut the losses, and there is practically sufficient capital there to establish the Agricultural College at Palmerston North. What would be saved from the present losses would bo sufficient to provide revenue to maintain the college. Some of the farm buildings could be transferred to Palmerston.” Mr Jo’nes alsp suggested that, under the reorganisation following the establishment of the Agricultural College, the instructors in agriculture should be stationed in the counties instead of being centralised, as the latter system meant an enormous expenditure on travelling, this amounting last year to £43,000.