The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1924. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 June 1924, Page 6

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1924. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Delivered every evening Dy 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Okaiawa, Eltbam. Mangatcki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakebo Manutahi, Alton, Harleyville, Pates, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Obangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

In the early days of the war the failure of the British Empire to apply • the powers of science to industries was considered by leading men to be one of the nation’s greatest weaknesses, but fortunately strenuous efforts were made to overcome the former neglect, and as the terrible months passed by science and her wonderful powers were more widely employed, and by the time the war ended the British Empire had applied science to her great war-winning industries to a remarkable degree. The progress that was then made reflected the greatest credit upon scientists, and probably for purposes of defence the nation will not again neglect tn employ science to> the> industries upon which success in waging war depends. But every sane person hopes that there will never again be such a, eastastrophe as that which shattered the world, and that the time will come when science will be employed as a constructive and not a destructive force. There is a wide field in peace time for the employment of science as the handmaiden for human progress, and, as can be clearly seen, there is a growing desire' that it should be so employed. In New Zealand the greatest service (next to good citizenship) that can be rendered to the Empire is to increase the output from our industries to the highest possible level. The growth of the Dominion’s exports in recent years has been very satisfactory indeed, and it is a good tiling that it has been so, for we cannot imagine how difficult the position would have been if production had not increased. The Prime Minister, speaking at Palmerston North a few days ago, said that the total trade—export and import—for the twelve months represented a record per head of population for all countries. Such a position is very encouraging and the people of New Zealand have reason to be proud of the achievement. But we do not think that the Dominion is near its maximum of production. Recent years have found farmers paying more attention and giving more thought to scientific methods of pi’oduction, and it is more widely recognised than formerly that farming is a science and that unless the efforts of human hands are assisted hv careful thought and a close study of all the factors there is wastage and loss which the farmer cannot afford. Better herds are being built up, more attention is being paid to scientific cropping and management, and the' factory managers are striving to produce butter and cheese of the highest grade. Steady improvement is noticeable, .and the average butter-fat per cow Is increasing. Some herds, as stated by Mr. Morton at the National Dairy Association meeting at Auckland this week, are averaging over 300 lbs, blit far too many are much below that figure, but the more popular testing becomes the better should the herds become. Taranaki is in 'advance of other parts of the Dominion, hut even here much more can and will be done. In the march of progress unscientific methods in ' farming, as in other industries, will have to be abandoned, and it is a healthy sign that from isevera.l quarters requests are being made for the establishment- of laboratories to make available greater knowledge to all who are engaged in the dairying industry, which has done' so much to save New Zealand from most serious financial troubles. The Government is sympathetic towards those making the requests, and it- is to be hoped that its sympathy will soon take practical form. But is it necessary to wait- for the Government? Cpuhl not the farmers themselves organise, a fund to establish a laboratory in this district? It is a question worth thinking over, and distributed over a large number the cost would probably be very small compared with the benefits anticipated. Tf it is decided at- to-morrow’s meeting to continue the Fanners’ Union in this district, here is a subject which should claim its attention.