SEED-TESTING STATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25668, 17 October 1944, Page 4

SEED-TESTING STATION

CLAIMS OF PALMERSTON NORTH TRANSFER TO SOUTH ISLAND • OPPOSED (P.A.) PALMERSTON N, Oct. 16. Public organisations in Palmerston North have set out a number of reasons in opposition to the proposed removal of the seed testing station to the South Island. These are as follows: >. 1. Palmerston North offers incomparable air and' surface mail ; transit for an expeditious service. ‘ > -•"■. 2. All users and personnel are trained, and these technical services could not be secured at other centres without a prolonged period of training.. 3. If the station is moved to the South Island it may offer a slight advantage to those in close prorimity, but other parts would gain no advantage, while the North Island would be placed at a serious disadvantage. 4. The station is associated closely with the Grasslands Division of the Department of Agriculture at Palmerston North in certain aspects of its work5. The station as a Government purchasing office for seeds for all the State departments is one of the largest buyers in the Dominion. By far the greater proportion of the seeds bought is ’delivered to the North Island, and although much of this seed is bought, by the South Island it is essential that an institution responsible for large minings and proper deliveries should be as close as possible to the departments purchasing. _ 6. At the last conference of the Grain, Seed, and' Produce ' Merchants’ Association it was decided by vote not to favour any change in the location; 7. In the post-war years, with increasing seed ekport, there appears to be no valid - reason why Palmerston North, with its unrivalled facilities of location and personnel should not anticipate the continued location of the •station here. - v