AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 28 August 1926, Page 11

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

NORTH ISLAND SQUABBLING.

ENDANGERING THE SCHEME. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. MAY DROP THE BILL. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The Agricultural College Bill, provide ng a constitution for the new central' igri cultural college near Palmer aton "vorth, and authorising the inclusion in -hat scheme of the Campbell and Buchanan bequests, was introduced by Governor's Message in the House of Representatives this afternoon, and mmediately provoked a discussion which ■eflected former talks on the subject. '■ The Junior Government Whip (Mr. 3. Glenn) Rangitikei) described the bill is one step forward, but expressed disappointment that after he had been mcouraged officially to believe that the college would be established in Rangi:ikei district, the Minister announced, in «ew of the favourable offer from the Mayor of Palmerston North, that the college would be established in that district. It was obvious that the Palmerston land was worth £60 an. acre, and what use was this for experimental purposes? A sotto voce interruption from the Prime Minister led Mr. Glen to remark: "I know as much about farming as you do." Mr. Coates: You make more money oat of it than I do! Mr. Glenn: The Prime Minister is drawing a pretty good fat salary now. and not out of farming—farming the public. (Laughter and Opposition hear hears.) • Mr. H. £. Holland: Another little family quarrel! Mr. Glenn: Yes, but the Leader of the Opposition will agree I have put up a pretty good case for men who want assistance, the graziers. He added some critical references to Kairanga district, "Cairo?" queried the Prime Minister.' ! "If the Prime Minister would listcii more carefully be would know I s*m| 'Kairanga'" retorted the member for Ransitikei. with' severity. • "Well, I was listening, but I'll be banged if I understood you," remarked Mr. Coates, with a laugh. • ; Hon. Mr. Buddo said it was now quite clear the college was to be a North Island institution, so that provision had still to be made for the South Island. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) described the site of the proposed college, stating that its 860 acres included three qualities of land, suitable for every variety of experiment. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J./.G.

Coates) said that there were factors which must count in selecting a site, anfl those who had made the selection had come to the opinion that the Palmerston North site was'more favourable than the one at Rangitikei. It was a bigger qqes* tion than locality, however, as the reaj question was as to whether they were to have Tin agricultural college in -the North Island. He agreed with th« Minister of Lands . that the gift had nothing to do with, the selection of the site. "We don't care whether they carry the loan or whether they don't," he continued. If they went on squabbling about sites he did not think that anybody would be much interested. II was important to the country that a start should be made. It would

take years to initiate the college

and built it up. The Government could not give much time to the measure. If it was not going to be passed, it would not be passed, but the House would have to take the responsibility. The Government woula not, If the bill was held up it would be thrown aside. Mr. Glenn said the Government could have saved £30 acre on tha site by buying in the Rangitikei, but he ' would take just as much interest in it nevertheless. Hon. Mr. Hawken said, he was convinced, that of all the sites offered the. Government that selected was the best and most suitable.' Some of its 300 acres comprised heavy clay land, which in the South Island would be regarded as first-clasa wheat land. Another portion was rich dairying kind and part of ' the site was river, clay, of much

poorer quality.. The difficulty with other sites offered had been that land fit for dairying was not included. Weraroa was a good site, but the land was rather too good, and had not the desirable variation. The bill was read a first time.

CONTROL OF THE COLLEGE.!"

MAINTENANCE £15,000 ANNUALLY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. 1 The New Zealand Agricultural College Bill is described in its title as an Act to make - further provision for higher | education and research in agriculture and i. applied science in New Zealand. It contains the constitution of the New j Zealand College of Agriculture, governed ' by a council comprising four members appointed, by the Governor-in-Council, two each appointed by the Auckland and Victoria University Colleges . respectively,' and one member appointed by the Board of Agriculture. The Government members are to be appointed for four years, and the others for three years, but two of the Government nominees, determined by lot, will retirein January,' 1929, and a similar process will ■ operate every successive two years. There are the usual machinery provisions, including power to the council to appoint standing committees, and to delegate any of - its powers to them, or , I to the principal of the College. The council will appoint a member of the Professorial Board as principal, who ; will be the academic and administrative j bead of the College, chairman of the Professorial Board, and entitled to .attend and speak at meetings of the council. ..,-..,-.:•■' The Professorial Board will have power to make recommendations regarding courses of study, rules for attendance of students, and subjects of examination. _...........,... jinancfal Provisions. The" Council of the Auckland University College is empowered to transfer Ito the Agricultural College. Council the j Logan Campbell' funds, including I accumulated moneys of audi funds, to be held in trust to endow a chair in I some branch of agriculture, to be known -as the Logan Campbell chaii. Similar provision is made in regard to tbe Buchanan bequest. It is to be "used for the purposes of higher- education in agriculture. . " ';■.';:'; 1 Voluntary contributions to the institation, including bgguesta .'-■''■ - 1 '

tions from juaji local -authority or per-; son- (not'being: an Education: Board or governing body of a, secondary school or technical ''high school), will •be , subsidised by .the Government, .the * rate, being £ f or £ for contributions which are usedi as ■ capital' endowment, and' 10/. in the £ for other I voluntary contributions. The claure .states that ;the Minister of Education/shall -be the solt. judge of the value for any-land, \or ■ other • property, and its suitability .for the * purpose 'for which it •is -given, and-no subsidy willbe paid unless the Minister certifies that the land or property- is<suitable for such purpose. - Unless the-Minister-of Finance approves, the subsidy; in respect- to any particular contribution snail; not- be paid, in - any financial year- to an'amount exceeeding: £10,000. If further subsidy-is palable it may be spread.over.a period not exceeding five years. .. .... ... .. -

The Minister of Finance is authorised, without : further appropriation, to pay the college £15,000 for 'maintenance of the college. *.. .' .

An annual report and statement of accounts .must be submitted to the Minister of Education laid before Parliament. . ;■■ «■'..- 't "