THE DAIRY EXPERIMENTAL SCHOOL.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 278, 29 May 1907, Page 2

THE DAIRY EXPERIMENTAL SCHOOL.

STATEMENT BY MR McNAB. Levin, May 28. The Minister for Lands made a short speech at the Farmers' Union smoke concert this evening, touching on agricultural education. Mr McNab said he hoped to see the day when young men would be turned out from the universities thoroughly equipped for working the - soil. He admitted he was disappointed at the delay that had taken place in the establishment of the dairy experimental stations. It had been one of his ambitions during the later years of his life as a private member to be at the head of the Agricultural Department when that <«vent took place. He had always believed that when the right man for such an institution was at hand in the country, there was no reason to send to any other part of the world for one. (Applause.) He had no hesitation in saying that in Mr Singleton they had a man thoroughly qualified to be head of the pioposed station. Mr Singleton said he had been anticipating visiting his home during the autumn, an 3 his plans had been arranged for. Some years before he would have overthrown his plans to go straight on with the work, biiKif ne was allowed to go on his holiday, he would visit all the agricultural universities, having ixt view his own knowledge of the peculiar conditions of New Zealand. He could come back able to give advice from his own observations as to the establishment of the station, even to the extent of the plans. (Loud applause.) Be did not hesitate to say that although it would be regretted all over the State that they were not going straight on, it would be a penny wise and pound foolish policy not to , have delayed as they had done. The moment Mr Singleton returned they would be ready to go on and they would almost immediately intimate wh«?ie the station was to be. ■ (Laughter.) Speaking of the work that was already being done, Mr McNab said ho believed before long the herd at Weraroa would have a record that could not be surpassed iri^any agricultural journal in the world. (Hear, h«ar.) Investigations were being made by the veterinary Department, as a result of which it had been found that a new departure must be followed to prevent the spiead of tuberculosis in herds'; in fact, to prevent it getting a footing. A Bill would be brought in during the coming session, the operation of which would, he believed, prevent thn spread of tuberculosis in milking herds for almost all time : (Applause ) The biological division had been specially strengthened to cope with ther fruit-fly, and they were looking forward anxiously to next season to see if their efforts had been successful.