OFFICER CRITICISED.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17678, 31 August 1929, Page 4

OFFICER CRITICISED.

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE.

REPLACEMENT ASKED FOR

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Aug. 31,

Apart from the excitement of the debate on the London loan mysteryin the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, there was little of interest, but Mr Tee Martin (Raglan) caused all farmers in the House to prick up their ears when he suggested that the Director-General of Agricultui'e should be replaced by an up-to-date .officer, because the ' present Director-General always gave the same stereotyped reply to question: “The officers of my Department are busy investigating the matter.”

Mr Lee Martin complained that the ruinous outbreak of sepsis among cattle in the Waikato had not been grappled with effectually by the De-. partment of Agriculture. One of the three officers making an investigation had actually been transferred to another district at a most important stage, 'and this caused uneasiness which the Minister did not seek to allay.

Mr Martin qlso charged the Minister of Lands with not being in earnest concerning the settlement of pumice lands, and sought information concerning th e progress of the investigations regarding the promised 20,000 acres’ experimental block. No Ministerial reply was forthcoming. The House passed the Imprest Supply Bill No. 3 at 5.45, and adjourned till Tuesday.