EDUCATIONAL TOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 1

EDUCATIONAL TOUR

AUSTRALIAN FARMERS OUT TO LEARN WIDE INVESTIGATIONS “I think New Zealand can teach . us many thing*, particularly in regard to herd testing and topdressing,” said Mr. A. T. Owens, a member of the party of Australian farmers who arrived on the Maunganui this morning. As secretary of the Australian Dairy Produce Export Board, Australian Dairy Council and Victorian Advisory Dairy Board, Mr. Owens has every reason to be interested in the dairy industry in New Zealand. Also accompanying the party is Mr. John Rankin, chairman of the council. Mr. Rankin's interest in the industry covers not only production but also the commercial side. In addition to being a large dairy farmer he is chairman of the Western District Co-operative Dairy Company and chairman of the Western and Murray Bacon Company. Both he and Mr. Owens are constantly on the look-out for anything that might tend to improve quality and are looking forward with interest to investigating the methods employed in New Zealand. Mr. Owens informed a Sun representative that the investigations they would make would cover every phase of the dairy industry. Special committees had been set up to investigate various departments and their observations would be embodied in one complete report which -would be circulated to all engaged in the Australian industry. The various phases to be investigated were, farm areas and management, dairy herds, grass land herds. Government instruction and supervision, labour conditions. researcu activities, educational facilities, oiitter and cheese manufacturing, factory beautification, manufacture of milk products, transport and shipm?nt, pig raising, and timber and butter boxes. Both Mr. Owens and Mr. Rankin will be particularly interested in herd testing and research activities. It is Air. Rankin's first visit to New Zealand. He told the pressman that he had been looking forward for some time to visiting the Dominion and intended making the most of his opportunities while here.