FINE EFFORT OF FARMERS

Southland Times, Issue 24755, 28 May 1942, Page 3

FINE EFFORT OF FARMERS

PRODUCTION KEPT UP “It says a very great deal for the farmers of this country that they have not only been able to keep up production, but they have in addition grown large quantities of linen flax, wheat and other crops which have been asked for,” stated Mr J. A. Edwards during an address to the annual meeting of the Southern District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand at Gore yesterday, when referring to the shortage of experienced farm labour brought about by the war situation. Mr Edwards was chairman at the meeting and delegates were present from the Gore, Wyndham, Southland, Winton, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Clutha and Kelso Agricultural and Pastoral Associations. "Production has only been kept up because those farmers who have been left upon the land have worked long hours, and in many cases have been assisted by their own womenfolk," said Mr Edwards. "Certainly increased mechanization has played its part, and will in the immediate future play a very much greater part, but in the ultimate the future of farming and stud stock producing, with which many of us ar- directly concerned, will depend upon the quality of the man himself, the man directing the work, the man behind the implements, the individual knowledge of the man who is handling the stock. It is our job, whatever the demand on man-power may be, to ensure that we maintain in New Zealand the reputation for quality which we have already established.” AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

The need for going ahead with agricultural education in the Dominion was stressed by the secretary, Mr A. C. Cameron, who said that the question was a big one. He expressed the hope that those present would give it considerable thought. A brief discussion was held on the subject. and the opinion was expressed by Mr A. L, Adamson that the Royal Society had a great opportunity, now that it had been decided to abandon the holding of any Royal Shows until after the war, to give its attention more particularly to agricultural education. New Zealand had many difficulties ahead of it, and he hoped that the Royal Society would widen its organization so that matters such as this could be given further thought. A decision that it was the opinion of the meeting that the question of agricultural education was of paramount importance and that the chairman and secretary be instructed to convene a conference to discuss the whole question, subject to war conditions permitting, was carried. “It is our duty to do all we can to maintain the high standard of live-stock in this country, and generally hold a ‘watching brief’ till such time as war conditions allow the resumption of normal activities,” said the annual report. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £44/15/9. The following office-bearers were elected: Chairman, Mr J. A. Edwards; council, Messrs J. J. Blaikie (Ryal Bush), James Holms (Waimahaka), R. T. Kirk (Mosgiel), John Preston (Flag Swamp), A. M. Weir (Menzies Ferry), R. D. Stewart (Dunedin), James Marshall (Invercargill), R. F. Dickie (Wyndham), John Burnett (Waikoikoi), John Hellyer (Macandrew Bay), E. H. Murney (Tapanui), A. L. Adamson (Invercargill), A. C. Cameron (Dunedin), hon. secretary; delegates to Dominion Council, Messrs J. A. Edwards, A. L. Adamson, A. M. Weir, R. D. Stewart and James Marshall.

A hearty vote of thanks to the honorary secretary, Mr Cameron, for his excellent work during the year was carried.