RURAL PROBLEMS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1925, Page 7

RURAL PROBLEMS

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. REPORT OF THE INQUIRY. (By Wire —Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The debate on the presentation of the report of the Department of Agriculture, which was interrupted last week, was resumed in the House this afternoon. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. G. AV. Forbes) stressed the need for the inauguration of a scheme of rural education for improving production. The Agricultural Department should assist and encourage farmers to improve their methods and get more out of the land. He also urged that cheaper manures should be provided. Mr. C. E. MacMillan tTauranga) dealt with the manure question, contending that cheap fertilisers were a necessity to the farmer. Mr A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) suggested that the Agricultural Department should co-operate with the Lands Department with a view to conducting experiments on the poorer lands. He urged that the Government should take steps to eradicate noxious weeds from its own lands. The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. W. Nosworthy) said the time was insufficient for him to deal with all the criticism raised, 'but he said be had done his best. Had it not been for the war more agricultural instructors would have been provided. For months past the Board of Agriculture Lad been dealing with the subject of agricultural education, and its report had only come to Land in the past few days. Certain recommendations made were now before Cabinet for consideration. He said that the Budget promises in regard to agriculture instructors were being carried out. The method by which agricultural inspectors should travel over their districts was at present the subject of consideration.