Drive for Production

Maori interest in the schools was due in no small measure to the support of the committees of management of Maori sheep and cattle stations on the Coast, These committees, alerted by the field supervisor of the Department of Maori Affairs, decided tat full support of the farm schools would be a first step to the improvement of farming on the East Coast.

Such improvement is an urgent question on the Coast and various measures may be taken to cope with it. It appears that the Department of Agriculture may decide to station an instructor in agriculture in Ruatoria. Furthermore, that Department is keen to demonstrate on one or two selected farms in the district what can be achieved by improved management practices under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. The purpose is to show up to date farming methods for the benefit of the whole area. Subdivisional fences and effective use of manure are among the main problems of the area. The people's interest in the farm schools augurs well for the future.