EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Shannon News, 9 October 1928, Page 2

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

TO BE REDUCED GRADUALLY.

WHY WERAROA" FARM IS TO BE SOLD. The reason f.r the Government's decision to cut the Weraroa experimental farm into small holdings was given to the House of Representatives by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. .1. Hawken) on Saturday. The Minister said tint to-day experimental farms, wer:! not required to the same extent they once were, departmental experience hiving .proved that it was better to ha.ve experts travelling round'*amortg' the farmers and conducting actual' cxpcj-inlcnts on their farms: This was a better method of reaching the fr.vmers. The Ler.der of 4he Opposition (Mr H. \E. Holland":•: That does not mean you are going it a!>-melon every experimental farm.'

The Mi.ui>tei: They are gradually being curtailed, and there are few of thcVn in New Zealand to-day. -We require a number of them, nut, as /or the old style of experimental farm, it has been found that the money is better expended in the- provision of ttabled men who' will visit the farms find con•duct experiements in conjunction wioh the farmers.