AID FROM SCIENCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6536, 18 February 1928, Page 12

AID FROM SCIENCE

WHAT FARMER NEEDS, GOVERNMENT’S DUTY, "There are many ways in which we can assist the farmer, but X do think that there is no way wo can assist him more than by helping him through prac tieal science," stated the Prime Minister (the Eight. Hon. J. G. Coates) on ■Wednesday night when speaking at the Masterton A and P. Association’s reunion

During the past 18 months, said Mr Coates, the Government had for the first time in the history of the country, tried to organise knowledge and place it at the disposal not only of the primary producers, but of the secondary industries as well. In these days it was essential that the farmer should have the assistance of the very best knowledge that it was possible to obtain in order that he might successfully compete in the markets of the world. They had not yet reached the' full capacity of the country by any means. A lot of land required treatment in order to bring it up to its full value. ‘‘With the co-operation of the farmers of the country, 1 ’ said Mr. Coates, “we hope to be able to make it easier for them to bring back the virginity of the soil. It is the duty of any Government to assist in every practical manner in helping the farmers and others to make the best possible use of the industry they are endeavouring to carry out. 11 The establishment of a Department of Scientific Research had been an important move forward, and he looked to agricultural colleges to servo a useful purpose in carrying out practical tests