FARMING INTERESTS.
NEED FOR SCIENTIFIC METHODS
HIGHER AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION REQUIRED.
Several matters of great interest to the farming community were men tioned at the farewell social to Mr A. E. Bennett and the Prime Minister at Palmerston North last week. THE SHEEP FARMERS’ REWARD.
' In responding to the toast “Farmers’ Interests” Mr J. Linklater, M.P., traveled the problems which faced the Dominion farmer at the present time, and started that at last was the sheep farmer receiving the. fruits oi his labours, though he contended that if an average were prepared' covering the past four years it would be found that this section of our primary industries had been run at a loss to the producer. However, the indications for the future were bright. Although the dairy farmer had, generally speaking, had a better time than the sheep man, it must be admitted that he deserved every penny he earned, for his labours were strenuous.
Mr .Linklater dealt with the question of the application of scientific methods to farming, and said that if the proper policy were carried out and many of the' old pastures renewed, the carrying capacity of much of the land could be increased enormously. MANAWATU DRAINAGE SCHEME. "Consistent treatment in the matter of drainage is also needed,” continued Mr Linklater, "and in the Manawatu we have a great scheme being pushed on by men who have the interests of the county at heart for the draining of a vast area in the lower reaches of the Manawatu River. This big scheme is going to relieve some of the best land in the Dominion of flood waters as well as removing a menace to the roads, railways, and bridges for all time. The project is (going to do (untold good to the country, and I feel sure that when it is brought before the Government, assistance will be forthcoming.” AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
Referring to the necessity of higher agricultural education, the speaker said that while the ’Government had recognised this to a certain extent, he was convinced that an agricultural college should be . established. If this were agreed to by the Government he suggested that Weraroa would be an ideal place for it, as there were 800 acres availabe there, and the college boys would have the benefit of a practical as >vell as a theoretical knowledge of farming. In connection with the college he would like to see a dairy laboratory established in view of the dimensions of the industry. The town was dependent upon the country, the speaker concluded, and it was the duty of every citizen and every legislator to endeavour to make the country so attractive to the youth of the Dominion, that the drift of the people to the towns will be checked, and the land would .be peopled with a large and contented population. 1
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Shannon News, 11 March 1924, Page 2
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473FARMING INTERESTS. Shannon News, 11 March 1924, Page 2
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