The Daily News THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1921. SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1921, Page 4

The Daily News THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1921. SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE.

The address delivered by Sir James Wilson at the Science Congress in Palmerston North yesterday, which we publish elsewhere, may be read with interest and profit by every producer in Taranaki. The personality of the author, and his long experience of public affairs, and of agriculture, make his qualifications to speak upon his subjects beyond all question. He points out that whilst everyone is certain that only by increasing production and decreasing expenditure can we regain national safety, no one has shown how this can be done. “The Government tells us to produce more, and promptly increases taxation on the increase. The bankers din it into our ears, and with equal promptitude raise the bank rate of interest.” There will be many producers in Taranaki who will find these words a true expression of their own bewilderment. Sir James considers that little increase in production can be looked for in the pastoral interests of New Zealand, but that dairying is capable of a very great advance. The note of his address is that science must become the “active partner” of the farmer, and that it is the duty of the State to demonstrate to the fanners what science discovers for his benefit. In disease, either of animals or plants, prevention is better than cure; but where prevention has been neglected, science must come to the farmers’ aid to eradicate or at least control the disease. Soil and weed problems, particularly in Taranaki, are becoming more pressing each year as the virgin country becomes less and less available. Here again science alone can show the farmer the best way to cope with his difficulties, provided, of course, he will combine its teachings with the experience his daily farm practice affords. Sir James is of opinion that given the co-ordina-tion of science and experience there is nothing to prevent an enormous increase in the returns from the dairying districts, with the same expenditure of effort. It will be interesting to see whether such an appeal for the wholehearted application of scientific assistance by the State to its most important industry will have any more effect than to obtain for its author a vote of thanks.