HON. T. MACKENZIE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12319, 14 September 1909, Page 7

HON. T. MACKENZIE.

AT HASTINGS

(Per Press Association.)

HASTINGS, September 13. On Saturday night the Hon. T. Mackenzie met a large number of farmers and fruitgrowers and talked over mattors of interest to those industries. Re the small bird pest, the Minister said tbat the importation of small owls was illegal, they being birds of prey. He would investigate fully, and, if found advisable would amend the law to admit small owls. Speaking of the establishment of seed-testing farms, the Minister said the Government wanted to establish one central station from Avhich to supply the A. and P. Societies, leaving farmers to experiment further with seeds from this source. For this station he wanted to utilise the money offered by Mr Buchanan if he would let th c Government have it. lie stated that he had divided the biological division and had told Professor Kuic to devoto the whole of his time to fruit, while Mr Cockrrayno would be entrusted with the seed section. The Minister urged dairy farmers to keep down the amount of moisture in butJt r" ~I:[omo People wished to abolish the Now Zealand Government certificate, and to substitute arbitration. This would be most serious to the dairy industry., and it was necessary that factories export good butter and provide the Government with- a sound argument against a change being made.