THE GRASSLAND CONFERENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21180, 29 October 1938, Page 15

THE GRASSLAND CONFERENCE

DISCUSSING FARMING PROBLEMS CONFERENCES FOR FARMERS ADVOCATED This year’s grassland conference at the Ruakura Farm was very success—, ful and it emphasised the necessity of’ having similar conferences lor the . fanners themselves. Of course, farmers are always cordially invited to attend such conferences, but past experience has shown that they do not attend in any great numbers. The farming community ultimately benefits from conferences attended by officers of the Department of Agriculture because these men are able to pass ' on the information to them. However, it seems to us, says the "Waikato Times,” that much could be done in the way of providing some means whereby farmers could meet and discuss farming problems. At the last grassland conference it was noticeable that interest did not attach so much to the reading of the papers as to the discussion that followed them. It is during a discussion that the interesting and practical points are invariably raised and while field days and the ordinary type ot conference are invariably interesting and educative something in the nature of a farmers’ forum would touch a novel note and may prove of greater educative value. Branches of the Farmers’ Union could do invaluable work in this respect and their executives would be doing much for the farming community by organising such gatherings. It would be advisable to get some authority to give a very briel address with the remainder of the available time Jevoted to questions and discussion.