THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1912. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10544, 29 January 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1912. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Tile Department- (of Agriculture in New Zealand is in urgent need of reform. In its present position it is ti comparatively .little value to the primary producers of the Dominion. The officers, generally speaking, are well qualified, but there is a lack of cohesion in the Department wihich at lonce destroys its usefulness. The Minister in Charge (Hon. T. Mackenzie) has recognised for some time the necessity for the adoption of a more vigorous and systematic policy, and •prior to the election he promised that, if again returned to office, he Would infuse life and animation into his Department. It was probably on .the .strength «if this and other promises that the Minister was returned to Parliament for the Egmont seat. As (political events have happened, however, it is exceedingly improbable that the Hon. T. Mackenzie will be. given the opportunity of redeeming his promise. The position which has arisen, is one which should impress upon the Legislature the necessity for appointing a Board of Agriculture, similar to that which exists in the Old Country, which, would bo practically removed from the region of party politics. One of the essentials to the 'Success- of the Department is the continuity of its operations once they have been devised upon scientific and common-sense lines. To secure this continuity, a Bbard of Agriculture should he appointor!. This should be composed of experts iu the various divisions, with a number or' practical fanners added. The Minister for the .time being should act as Chairman of the Board, and represent its claims in Parliament. " Bevond

that, he should have no power; All appointments, transfers and •administrative acts should foe vested in the Board itself. By this means valuable service might be rendered to the country. It will be argued that, because the people Imd the money for carrying on the Department, they should have a direct voice in its administration through their representatives. Experience has shown that this is subversive to the economical land efficient control of the Department. Political patronage has been tine curse of the Agricultural Department, as it bias of many other Departments of State. If it is necessary that the defence of the country should be placed in the hands of a Council of experts, it is equally necessary that the development of our greatest industry should be entrusted to men possessed of expert know-ledge,-and removea entirely from political control. This fact has long since been recognised in, older countries, and the time has arrived when dt should <be brought home to the Legislature of this Dominion. When it is remembered that for some months past the machinery of the Department has been practically at a standstill, and that there is no guarantee tfoiat there will not [be a repetition of this state of things, the necessity for a change in the system will at once be apparent. One of the most Dressing necessities of the moment Is the appointment of an efficient no<u-political Board of Agriculture.