THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24, 1913. AGRICULTURE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 September 1913, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24, 1913. AGRICULTURE.

The proposed .board of Agriculture has long been one of the Prime Minister's pet subjects. It seems to have taken a good deal of trouble, however, to get the scheme into workable form on the ideal lines the Hon. Minister had in view, which has undoubtedly caused the delay in getting a Bill before the House on the question. The fostering of Agriculture is more than a mere hobby; for the mere agricultural interests arc protected and encouraged the more assured becomes our national prosperity. The establishment of a Board of Agriculture with this object in view is, therefore, very commendable. The scope of duties for such a Board is of a varied nature, and demands such a superior knowledge, intelligence and experience that selection of qualified men will be no light task 'i he most recent statistics show the great improvement necessary in agricultural affairs, the 40,000 acres of land in occupation showing an average productivity of less than £1 per acre. Our farm lands are certainly capable of far greater returns than these figures show, and the need for expert and scientihe direction of the energy expended by those in occupation is manifest. It is quite likely that the Board may also deal with the question of transit to markets, for in many instances the settler has no inducement to improve his holding or increase the agricultural products of the country owing to this drawback. Given better opportunities our energetic settlers will quickly improve the look of the farming statistics, we have no doubt. The constitution of tho Board is the crucial poinr, of the entire scheme, but it seems quite safe to predict that the Hon. Minister will see that the farming .community have representation by practical and cominonseuse men.