N.Z TELEGRAMS

Grey River Argus, Volume 06, 6 June 1919, Page 2

N.Z TELEGRAMS

I : -.**■.....' ■ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. EXPERT AGEAIiNi ST : TOO MAN Y v .• ; A WEStfLAM) OPPQSptX. . I ■ ALTERNAT± viSS ( PROPOS^Ep:. ,;; ■ j ■ _ (Fress. Association.) „./..\ ; WELL,xi.\U;TO^;.Jun(B. 5. The Director of Agncultur.o, 'jjr C'J.. I Rcakes, to-day jnii oxnied 'thfe Industrji.es; Committee that he. did not believe im (multiplying experimental, farms • too j much. Jie cdnim^nded 'the principle, iof setting up demonstration rfarm^ conducted by the farmers, themselves,, and over wh.ch the Government wouki have- supervision. There 1 were already several of these farms in ■ the Dominion, and- they were giving excellent' results. It- was questionable whether .ah experimental farm should be established;'in Westland prior to its agriculture al development, or even during tJ^at period. . As a general principle, he said. - 'that he favoured- any scheme which ."would \ enable the farmer to get expert advice. A great many of. th^ "farmers apSrcciated visits from the Departmental xy>erts, but othe*s took up the attitude that they could not be taught anything.-;. " ■•'.'■..- . ..." ' j There \vere three large experimental farms, in the Iforth Bland, .but only oue small one in the:' South' lsland.' He thought that good work could \be' doiie in the North Island, by establishingdemonstration farms under local' organisation. v The Government would supply, the knowledge .asd q,, subsidy ipr small farms, where the, -farmeE had paid a hi£h pipice for his land or a high rentai ? for the special purpose considered most profitable. ■ -