griculture
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
Geonholed?
an for Experimental griculture S. Pacific
LANS for a South Pacific Tropical Agriculture Experi mental Station have been living some attention lately; but •ear, as usual, to have become gged down among the eaucrats. i this overcrowded world, ctically all areas can benefit n* experiments in agriculture example, as a result of jstigations into the possibilities certain grasses, in relation to quality of available land, there some districts in New Zealand ■ying eight sheep to the acre— e than twice as many as could there before. tie idea that something of the I would be useful in the South ific was developed, a year or two by Dr. Ojala, former head of Research Council of the South fic Commission (he is now nother job in Bangkok); and it strongly supported by other
itifically-minded gentlemen
erned with the Commission. was felt that every tropical itory in the South Pacific could ent from? well-conducted
research. Contact was made with certain American interests who were working along the same lines. The Americans indicated their lively interest, and their readiness to support financially the project in the South Seas, if it could be developed.
This seemed good enough to submit to the six member nations of the South Pacific Commission; and, through the Commission, it was formally presented for the consideration of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom*, United States, France and Holland. It seemed to be an idea that could have been worked easily through the machinery and personnel of the South Pacific Commission.
That was away back in 1955.
Nothing has been heard of it since.
One man says it “has been lost among the pigeonholes.” Another says “it is bogged down—the agri cultural experts of the various countries are fighting about it.”
It is rather a pity from New Guinea’s viewpoint. That is the chief country in the South Pacific which could benefit from experi ments in the establishment of good tropical pastures. t The Rt. Rev. Edouard Bresson, Vicar Apostolic of New Caledonia, will retire shortly owing to ill health. He will remain in Noumea until a new Bishop is appointed.