SHIFTING OF SEED TESTING STATION

Chronicle (Levin), 6 April 1946, Page 6

SHIFTING OF SEED TESTING STATION

Press Association

■ ' ♦ ■ SOUTH ISLAND INTERESTS /' - STILL ACTIVE

By telegraph—

DUNEDIN, April 5. The decision" of the Minister ; of Agriculture (Hon. B. Roberts) not tro change the location of the Department of Agriculture 's Seed Testing Station at Palmerston North is not viewed with any favour by those interested in seed testing in the South Island and is not to be allowed to rest without further objection. It is pointed out that 'the South Island grows 97 per cent. of the Dominiou's small seeds, and that Canterbury, Otago and Southland grow almost the whole of that 97 ,per cent. Representatives from the Christchurch branch of the Federated Fariners, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch Manufacturers ' Association, Canterbury Grain and Seed Merchauts' Association and ' the Canterbury Progress League are to liold a couference to further the project of a seed testing station in the South island, and it is probable that it will decide to refer Ihe question to Cabinet. Dunedin interests are also moving to take similar action and the local Grain and Seed Merchants' Association, Federated Farmers and the Chamber of Commerce are all determined to see that the case for the removai of the station 'at the earliest possible date is taken to higher authority than the Minister of Agriculture if the latter will not reconsider his decision.