DOMINION PRODUCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 October 1925, Page 7

DOMINION PRODUCE.

BUTTER AND CHEESE

HIGH REPUTATION EVERYWHERE

The newly appointed Professor of Agriculture at the Auckland, University College, Mr W. Riddet, arrived from England by-the Aorangi. Professor Riddet, who. is the first occupant of the chair endowed by the late Sir John Logan 'Campbell, now brings; the New Zealand University's faculty of agriculture to two, the other member being Professor G. S, Percn, of Victoria •College. The. new professor is a young Scotsman, barely 30 years of age, but in spite of youth and four full years of war service,, ho has acquired, theoretical and practical credentials of the very highest order. .His career, indeed, lias been so distinguished that the Gover-nor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, who is a Scot landholder, stated pu.bliclv on hearing of the appointment that Professor Riddet's attainments were well known to him and, that the new professor was one of the most pro. raising young men in his own line, in the west of Scotland, and- that New Zealand was lucky to secure his services.

Professor Riddet does not bear his weight of agricultural learning at all heavily, and a short interview with him before, the Aorangi berthed showed that he. has a practical mind and a ready humour which should make him many friends among farmers, whom lie says lie wants very much to meet. It is his intention and that of the" college authorities that lie shall begin his duties as soon as possible, and also that he shall make a comprehensive tour of the Dominion for the purpose of gaining all the information possible about the climate, soils, farming methods, existing agricultural education and all other kindred l subjects. Professor Riddet is particularly anxious to come into contact with the New Zealand farmer, and with problems of agriculture and dairying in this country.

It is evident, already, that his interest in his profession is by no means only academic. Before leaving England Professor Riddet spent three weeks in Denmark at tliei request, of the college authorities, who had made him a special grant for the purpose, and under the same' arrangement he stayed three weeks in the United States and Canada for the purpose of visiting some of the lending agricultural colleges. “I was very well received, at all the colleges in both Denmark and. North America,” said Professor Riddet. rf Tliey were most ready to show me everything and to give me nil, the information I wanted. They were specially interested, to know that, I was going to New Zealand, as the Dominion has made a great name among dairy farmers all over the world.”

(Speaking of dairying, Professor Riddiet said lie noticed wide divergencies between Danish and North American methods. The former, owing to the abundance of labour and limited; areas of land tended to be intensive, whereas the latter, for the opposite reasons, were extensive. Tn both instances dairy cattle were housed for six months of the year. Tn Denmark they were fed mainly oil root's, but. Canadian and American farmers- depended mostly on ensilage. Milking machines were used very little in Denmark, which was a land of small holdings and family labour. Machines were used to a large extent in North America, but not so commonly as in New Zealand. New Zealand butter and cheese had a high reputation everywhere they were known, arid ■ producers in other countries were greatly iinpresesd with the very rapid increase; in output. He found' some of the Canadians more than a little jealous. It annoyed them to find New Zealand l butter selling in their own markets in competition with the home-grown article. .