THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Southland Times, Issue 19516, 16 May 1922, Page 2

THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

(To the Editor). Sir,—ln your issue of May 12, there appears a letter over the signature of David Marshall. Upon perusal of it I am convinced that a portion of that letter is indicative of sharp criticism. In reply to my letter of recent date I am informed that Southland is not represented on the Board by a representative of the Southland A. and P. Association, but by a member nominated by the affiliated Societys of Southland and recommended to his Excellency the Governor for appointment. Quite right. Is it not possible that Mr Marehall, in acquiring his present position received assistance through his connections with the Southland A. and P. Society. Quite apart from this appointment, much can be said against autocratic rule. Take for example legislation by appointments of members to the Upper House, etc. Advanced ideas as the result of the fruit of progressive education demand that the system of election of members to all public bodies should be observed in as far as possible on principles based on true democracy. Had Mr Marshall been elected on a straight-out issue through the support of a bona-fide Farmers’ Organisation, I venture to say that it is quite probable he would not have the slightest hesitation in giving an account of his stewardship. He states he has no account to give that the work of the Board is purely advisory, and in most cases confidential. Re-State Farm for Southland : Granted Mr Marshall had done his utmost in that direction many years before he accepted a seat on the Board. Circumstances alter cases. Formerly, he took a very active interest with other prominent men in connection with the Farmers’ Union organisation. W’ith the advent of the Southland League about eight years ago, the leading citizens of Invercargill sounded loud their trumpets in a vain endeavour for a majority of farmers to link up with their As sociation in the interests of ‘Advance Southland.’ It is worthy of note Mr Marshall is reported to have taken refuge under the flag of the Southland League, and I think at a later period severed his connection with the Farmers’ Union. Sometime after his appointment to his present position he again linked-up with the Famers’ Union. Re the latter organisation ; I cannot trace any records during recent years relative to any prominence on Mr Marshall’s part in connection with the advancement of Farmers’ Union affairs. Mr Marshall states the Board was at the back of Nauru phosphate. Looking back on records of June, 1915, I find that a remit on Phosphate Island manures was then freely difecussed by the Agri cultural Committee at a meeting held by the Southland League in Invercargill. Space will not permit that I should deal with this aspect of th? question at present. Should this correspondence continue I reserve the right of dealing with it on a future occasion. I am, etc., INTERESTED FARMER.