NEW SCHEME FOR, MOUMAHAKI.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 588, 17 August 1909, Page 10

NEW SCHEME FOR, MOUMAHAKI.

. Mr. G. V. Pea,rce, JIP., hps beeu.for>omc time pressing the -claims of (the.'Mouma-liaki State Farm upon the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. T. Mackenzie (says the Patea "Press"), and on Sunday mormiig, .at the invitation of Mr. Pearce, the Minister went over the farm, and in'addition,had a good look at the surrounding country. In , regard to. the farm,'the Minister expressed: the opinion that if it was to be retained the expenditure must_ be largely reduced. The Government, he said, could not afford.yo lose £2000 a year on an experimental station. Although nothing definite has .bo en promised, both the Minister and Mr. Cljffion (Director of Experiment Farms) regard at*ith favour Mr. Pearce's suggestion-that the should bo converted into an institution aycord* ing practical training to young men de?,irbus of learning the art of: fanning. - Young iel* lows, Mr. Mackenzie says, need to.be,taught to work. Mr. Poarce suggests that / twenty, or thirty young men might bo taught at the farm. Their work would bo:mainly practical, but it might prove feasible .to emjvfi'/jy technical school instructors ill. giving Iricjm theo; retical instruction. Permanently..or., the farm there should be a* small staff of. practical, men, one to cach department. jx thorough

knowledge of root crops, ■ grass<? 3, manures, and the effects of-different man.ijres..on .per-:, manent pastures, should. be lir'aiiarted. Tho Minister made no definite pr/jjnise, "bit he looked with evident favour upon the suggestions offered by Mr. Pcarce, a-ad has promised to give them favourable consideration. ••