"IN THE DOLDRUMS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 9

"IN THE DOLDRUMS."

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PI'KKKOIIR, Thursday. "Tlya colljge exists very largely to provide a sound theoretical and practical agricultural education, but J regret this type of education is at ]>Te<«ont in the doldrums." said the principal, Mr. R. C. Clark, M.A.. in addressing a large gathering of parent* and friends at the mutual prize-giving ceremony at Wesley College to-day.

"The lack of opportunity, as compared with other fields of employment, the comparatively long hours and low wages challenge attention," continued Mr. Clark. "There has been too much lip service to agriculture, too much cheap romanticism about the free, outdoor life, the closeness to Nature, beinir one's own master, and too much of what might well be described bv Henry l'ord's expressive, explosive word 'bunk.' I nm sorry to state that I can as yet >see little of real value, or what is adequate to the country's needs, being done, either to train capable lads for farm life or to encourage them to embark 011 an agricultural career. I think, however, that the calf club movement and the young farmers' movement are very hopeful signs and valuable organisations in rural education, but they can only be part of a well-planned system."