WHEAT RESEARCH WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 104, 4 May 1934, Page 9

WHEAT RESEARCH WORK

AUSTRALIAN BENEFACTOR PROPOSED MEMORIAL SYDNEY, April 26. Ono of Australia’s greatest benefactors was the late Mr. William James Farrar, whose research work is estimated to have increased the country’s wheat yield by at least two bushels to the acre. He gave his life and his fortune to the evolving of wheats specially suited to Australia’s soil and climate. Now his name is almost forgotten and his work has never received that national recognition tn which it was entitled. Some time ago an cffoit was made in the country districts to raise funds for the purpose of providing a suitable memorial to Mr. Farrar, but the response was so slow that the movement waj abandoned. The Commonwealth Government is now considering a recommendation that it should place a headstone on the grave of the man who did so much unselfish work for the good of the country he loved. The cynic may be excused for commenting on the fact that Australia should want to honour a man who did most to make production bountiful when growers are being strongly advised to restrict the production of wheat. Australia to-day has more wheat than can be consumed. The great silos in New ISouth Wales are crammed full and the quantity of wheat exported this year is insignificant compared with the trade of other years. The wheat farmers are receiving Government assistance and the whole outlook for the industry is extremely gloomy. Economic wisdom has undergone many changes since the world was hit by the depression, but considerations such as these cannot detract from the great work done by I Farrar.