THE BEST DAIRY BREED

Shannon News, 2 August 1927, Page 4

THE BEST DAIRY BREED

STATEMENT RESENTED,

MINISTER’S REPLY. In a letter sent to the Minister for Agriculture by the representatives of the Ayrshire, Shorthorn and Friesian, attention was drawn to a, statemi nt made by the manager of Mt. Ruakura Government Farm Of Instruction, Mr. Munro, reflecting adversely on all dairy breeds but the Jersey. Tlie following is a copy of a letter received from the Minister of,Agrldiflure. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 17th. inst., in which further reference is made •to the statement of the farm manager at Ruakura regarding the Jersey breed of cattle.

It is most unfortunate that this statement gained currency. It was made with no ulterior motive and without an appreciation of the fact that it would be published in the form in winch it made its appeai'ance. It is also regrettable that it has been made use of for advertising purposes and this, I may say, is having attention.

. I would like to make it clear to the Breed Associations * concerned that it is not the policy of the Department to advocate any particular breed, it being fully realised that each has its own merits and that a good farmer will do well with any one of the accepted broods. Proof of this feeling- on the part of the Department is. represented in the herds maintained on the Department’s two large" farms.

Mr. Munro, in his remarks as published. expressed only his personal view and not that of either myself or the Department whose opinions on the question of dairy breeds are ais expressed above. I beg to remain, yours faithfully, O. HAWKEN, Minister of Agriculture.