STATE FARMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11670, 10 April 1916, Page 3

STATE FARMS.

SITES NOT HINTED AT. LARGELY MATTER OF FINANCE. - "We are hoping to establish three farms in the Soutui Island," said the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon W. D. S. Mac Donald) on Saturday,-"and probably we will do less plotting, although extension work will be carried ou from the farms. Mr Brown, Director of the Fields Division, is preparing a report on the positions he considers most suitable, and that will serve the greatest area, and! he is also submitting an estimate of the cost of equipping and carrying on the farms. "Can North Canterbury expect one of the farms?" Mr Mac Donald was asked. "We have not definitely.decided on that," -he replied.' "Several sites will be brought to the final decision, and I will probably ask the Board of Agriculture to hold a meeting some time hefore the end of the month to discuss the matter. Tlie farmers generally throughout, the South Island are very eager about it, and emphasise the fact that there are three farms in the_North Island; and as our foodstuffs in the way of-wlis.it are mainly produced in the South Island. I agree with them that the time has arrived when we ought to .give them consideration if it is possible to do so. Whether we will be able to go into it this year or not depends largely on finance and what Cabinet thinks."