The Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star. (Aud Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th, 1923. NEGLEDTED OPPORTUNITY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star. (Aud Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th, 1923. NEGLEDTED OPPORTUNITY

Thk attendance at the Winter School for farmers now in progress is not as satisfactory as it should he. The organisers of the School and the lecturers who have attended should see a hotter reward for the enterprise and sacrifice made. There is no profit to the organisers or the lecturers, who are giving their services and their time generously. The profit is all to these who attend the School and interest themselves in acquiring the knowledge to he gleaned. It- is to be regretted that the farmers as a community are neglecting the present opportunity to acquire knowledge of a- useful character to carry on their business of producers. Scientific research has clone a great deal for the farming communities, and t he governments, past and present, have devoted considerable attention to the dissemination of the knowledge their expert staffs have at disposal. It. would he expected that the farmers would readily avail themselves of the opportunity now offering, and it is difficult to explain why they are failing to do so. Last year the period at which the School was held was said to be not convenient, and to meet this objection the date was changed at some inconvenience to the lecturers. Bur the attendance does not show any improvement. Last- year it was realised, too, that the show at Kokatahi interfered with the attendance of many of the settlers from that locality and there was some suggestion that the two fixtures should not clash. However, they have clashed again, and it may he assumed that the show in some measure at least detracts from the attendance at the School. This is to he regretted as the latter is intended to he educative for the .settlers in an individual way, and so assist them to add to the productivity of their stock and lands by reasonable progressive means. The promoters of the School can hardly bo encouraged bv the attendance at the present session, and unless the numbers increase materially for the remaining lectures, the continuation of the School in future years will lie a subject for serious consideration. The movement is designed to help the district industrially to bring to those on the land first hand knowledge of modem developments and treatment of stock and land to ensure greater , production from the settlers’ assets. It is thus purely a matter of direct interest to the man on tlio land, and unless he is disposed to become interested in the lectures the closing down of the School must result. Speaking on Monday night. Mr Cockayne stated that the Agricultural Department regarded these opportunities for direct, instruction to the farmers os

the very best means of performing the functions of the Department to advance the industry. Hut it is necessary to reach the ear of the man on the land directly, and for that specific purpose there is occasion for those to be so ultimately bonofitted to attend in force, and gain the benefit of the information afforded. This is a district which has hitherto been remote from centres where scientific knowledge is more readily acquired, and the schools are an excellent substitute to afford ready at hand, the means to aeqniie knowledge which is not otherwise available. Much of com sc can be picked up from periodicals and books, but at a School such as that now current there is the personal touch with the lecturer, and the opportunity to ask questions on aspects which a:e not clear. It is a first hand moans of secuiing replies to problems which may be perturbing the 'farmer throughout the year, and the day or two spent at the. School might uveid weeks or months of worry, and save pounds of expense. Promoted as they are for the personal benefit of tile humeis the AA’inter School should draw a bumper attendance in the thirst for knowledge end information, so that the good farmer may become a better, and so add more and more to his worldly possessions.