FARMING AND FRUITGROWING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9594, 14 September 1909, Page 7

FARMING AND FRUITGROWING.

By Telegraph—Press Association. HASTINGS, September 13. Oh Saturday the Hon. Mr Mackenzie met a large meeting of farmers and fruitgrowers and talked matters of interest to the industries. Regarding the small bird pest, tha Minister said that the importation of small owls was illegal, they being birds of prey. He would investigate the matter fully, and if found advisable he would amend the law to admit small owls. Speaking of the establishment of seed-testing farms the Minister said that the Government wanted to establish one central station from which to supply A. and P; Societies, leaving the farmers to experiment further with seeds from this source. For thia station he wanted to utilise the money offered by Mr Buchanan, if he would let the Government have it. He sUted that he had divided the biological division, and had told Mr Kirk to devote the whole of his time to fruit, while Mr Cockrayne would be entrusted with the seed section. The Minister urged dairy farmers to keep down the amount of moisture in their butter. The Home people wished to abolish the New Zealand Government certificate, ana substitute arbitration. This would be most serious to the dairy industry, and it was necessary for the factories to export good butter and provide the Government with a sound argument against the change being made.