The Dominion THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1913. HELPING THE MAN ON THE LAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1935, 18 December 1913, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1913. HELPING THE MAN ON THE LAND.

Ax Act of Parliament passed last session which is likely to'have a far- ■ reaching influence for good is that which provides for the creation of aBoard of Agriculture. This is a, new departure so far as New Zealand is concerned, but similar institutions' have long existed in other countries, notably Ireland, and have conferred , 'important benefits upon those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. As yet, the constitution of '' the New Zealand Board of Agriculture has been only broadly outlined.' The PiuiiE Minister, who piloted the Act through Parliament, wisely abstained from laying clown any hard and fast lines for the Board to proceed upon. It is an advisory body that is to bo created, a Board to' which will be assigned the task of devising improvements upon existing methods and mapping out new-lines of policy. Obviously such a body should be granted the utmost possible freedom of action, for its sphere of usefulness need be limited only by the zeal, attainments, and originality of its members. The Board of ■ Agriculture will be set up early next year. It is to consist of twelve meni' bers, of whom eight jwill bo selected by the different agricultural-..and pastoral societies throughout the Dominion, while the other four, of whom one will be chairman, are to be appointed by the Government: The ordinary members are to be paid only out-of-pocket expenses, but tho chairman, who will be expected to devote a good deal of attention to the. affairs of the Board, may receive. . sumcthing in the way of honorarium; - Tho functions- of the Board , are ' broadly outlined in the Bill as bninp ; to advise the Minister- of Agricul- '. turc with respect to such matters and questions in connection with the pur--poses o,f agriculture and other, rural • industries as it thinks fit, or as,may; be submitted to it- by the ■Minister:' ] No aLtempt is 1 made to limit 1 '"-this comprehensive- definition of, duties; ■ but covtain Hues of investigation are , specifically'commended to the attention of the Board as coming -within' '■ tho scope of its activities...' One of :' these details which is of particular interest at the moment, is: "The.cs-", tablishmcnt of ''agricultural/ colleges : ; and agricultural education-general; .' Many circumstances;-", ; justify the hone thatitlip-.-Boivd of; \ Agriculture will develop into.'.an-.ox; ;: trcmclv useful. inslitution.v'^'r-In^'the;-'.-llrst place, its existence''sliquld Pav,r ; the way for-.a much- inoro. definite : and direct control 'of the¥Agr.icul-' tural Department, which 'already exercises an important influenw unon the development of primary ..industries, and must nssunw* still, greater imiinrlnnce year bv year as (he.'binds of the Dominion become more closely-;.-: settled and the scope of its operations extends. "When the Board of

; 'Agriculturc-^BUlfcwasJJvbefor^ s iHouK^jtJic^l'TiiMf^M j t!'.;ifc:thc Departmoin of. ; ? .tli^fcQimto:^l£ {;r fin rtii riiisfi:;:Vsu flicicvillji • str.itcs the tnagi!itudo.>vbii'h iI? oj;cr,.a t i t ta i ntligsugges ts ■ f.lio dosintbiiity of• seenringt iie best; • possible gnidaucc.of if:f i!ian'ifold,ac.i i vit ii':'..A n ;,'cv<:r-workf'd ... JI iii i;;ic r.. : of 1 ; 7i.gr i cii 1 t'u i'c ii SEav he i s 111::' ra«!..at pivjcn!/.' ho is •»'- siractical ' i'arnior,- cannot, very V.-.-11 .do.niia.-s.'i t-' ; ! .cf!;al ;this. diivcaiul SitiMy :.in;'con trolling ;;inc)jdii : ficting'.lho.,'-'-'c-.\" . i.pa h.ding ac!.ivitie|iof ;his Depaitmcnt jto .Ik; ni.-lo iiii occasionally'onlist the co-.ui: s!. aisd assistance of a.Board o? Board bf ' Agricultqrcißilhhacl,- iii tho .main, a friciuily retvfpiion wlion it Avns beforeJParliiimcht^some"doubts ■were.' cast,'upon-itho. practicability of the •'suggestioni-'frnt;; forward, would . lw IK-ttcr. to rely upon rpaid. experts-.than; upon a'vpluntccr Eoard. Critics ■ who' took ■this: r vicw--'.obviously failed ■tpVgrasp.;:th'c;.,truoyin.turfl.and intention of tiic proposal. ; It w ill Ikj . •tho.-funetioh;pfkthc Board of-Agricul-ture, not t^-supplcmcntyn < "any. ; Vay j tho detail'.ppcrations.. OB the experts 'of > the Dcpartmont of, Agriculture... ■ but to'strengthen: thc' liands of.'tho : Ministcr.::-in';,chargo:- of j-tliat'v Depart-, 'mont on .gericral-;cjuestions of. policy. ■Thcrc.-avc.-j'many .settlers...and farmers ■ in have done' yco-' iviiy of. assisting to promote .'the development. of the'.induslrics' in.Hwhich they are engaged!tand many'of them have spared ; noiih'.'r " time, nor expense in this good'work.'S The proposal of the llox W. F. Sl.Assr.y. is that a selected body of. such and wellinformed farmers'/,who'are'.willing to expend some time and trouble in the. .public, interest—should be called together to assi'stin wisely guiding and directing thc : assistance rendered by the State, through the.Department of Agriculture.' to.those'engaged in the primary industries, s ,,:;Vicwfld in' this light, Mr.;.'Massey ! s ; proposal' mustbe regarded.ns.:.one that.is.eminently practical' and' likely I ,ftb .produca results beneficial not only".to the farm- . ing .community country.:- '■•j- .