EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26766, 8 May 1948, Page 8

EXPERIMENTAL FARM

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND IDEAL SITE NOT YET FOUND The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Cullen,. met members of the Otago-South-land Experimental Farm Committee at a special meeting arranged in Dunedin yesterday when the progress made by the committee to date was reviewed and a full discussion took place on the stimulation of interest in the project which is of such importance’ to Otago and Southland. The Minister was accompanied by the Assistant Directorgeneral of Agriculture, Mr R. B. Tennent.

While it was agreed that the ideal site had not yet been located for the farm, the Minister fully appreciated the difficulties under present conditions and offered every assistance to the committee in its task.

Emphasising the importance of research generally, Mr Tennent quoted examples of far-reaching interest from work done at the Ruakura animal research station near Hamilton. Mr Tennent expressed the opinion that when established in the south the experimental station now under consideration would be of equal value to farmers of Otago and Southland. During the general informal discussion which followed, Mr Cullen expressed appreciation .of the efforts made by members of the Otago-South-land Experimental Farm Committee. He assured them that he would keep closely in touch with the project and, if necessary, he was prepared to travel to Dunedin again if required. The hope was expressed at the meeting that the committee or, officers of the Department of Agriculture would receive offers of land which might be suitable as a site for the station. All offers would receive prompt consideration.