FARMING PROBLEMS

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 140, 30 November 1938, Page 6

FARMING PROBLEMS

FARMERS’ GATHERINGS ADVOCATED This year’s grassland conference at the Ruakura Farm was very successful and it emphasised the necessity of having conferences for the farmers themselves.

Of course, farmers are always cordially invited lo attend such confereneces, but past experience has shown that they do not attend in any great numbers. The farming community ultimately benefits from conferences attended by officers of the Department of Agriculture because these men are aide to pass on the information to them.

However, it seems to us, says the Waikato Times, that much could be done in the way of providing some means whereby farmers could meet and discuss farming problems. At the last grassland conference it was noticeable that interest did not attach so much to the reading ot papers as to the discussion that followed them. It is during a discussion that the interesting and practical points are invariably raised and while field days and the ordinary type of conference are invariably interesting and educative something in the nature of a farmers’ forum would teach a novel note and may prove of greater educati\e \alue.

Branches of the Farmers’ Union could do invaluable work in Ibis respect and their executives would be doing much for the farming community by organising such gatherings. It would be advisable to get some authority to give a very brief address with the remainder of the available time devoted to questions and discussion.