MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IN THE SOUTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1911, Page 5

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IN THE SOUTH.

AN EXPERIMENTAL FARM ASKED FOR. ALSO A RAILWAY. [BT TBLEGBAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] WAIMATE, This Day. The Hon. Thoa. Mackenzie, replying to a deputation from the Waimate A. and P. A£socia=tion, asking for an experimental farm for South Canterbury, said he was entirely sympathetic "in the matl /er. Tbe necessity for such a farm went without discussion. At the present time, however, until the stall' was strengthened, he could not recommend ttuythmg definite. He had got the sanction of Cabinet to employ one of the best scientific agriculture men available; he would be one who would originate and direct experiments. Then they would go ahead. The Minister said he wished to make it clear that he was riot reflecting on the present officers of J ,he department ; but the country had outgrown its existing system of experiments. When they got tbe director ;hey were looking for he was enre the Government would not be backward in. advancing the best scientific researches. He claimed that the department bad done wonders in connection with the dairying herds ; also in regard to-sterili-«.ing of whey, with a view to eradicating tuberculosis from pigs. In reply to a railway extension deputation, Air. Mackenzie said the question of borrowing for feeder railways thai were palpably payaible anjt urgently necessary all over the country must soon be reconsidered. Such a storm had been raised over the five million loan that the Government thought it" might be an indication that borrowing, even for reproductive purposes, must be reetricted.