AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18128, 18 July 1924, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

GOVERNMENT SYMPATHETIC. QrSBSS ABBOCZXTIOV OUMAIC.) WELLINGTON, July 17. The requirements of .Victoria College Council towards giving full effect to proposals in connexion with the Chair or Agriculture were the subject of representations made to the Prime Minister to-day by members of .the Council and others interested. Mr Levi, chairman of the College Council, said the Chair had beeniounded by a gift of £20,000 by Sir Walter Buchanan, subsidised by the Government. Tho income did little more than provide the salary of the professor who had been appointed, and in order to set the CTiair of Agriculture going they must have a farm for practical work. The Council had come to the conclusion that to constitute the Chair properly it would be neeesnary to appoint extra lecturers for' the 1926 session. It was suggested that the appointees should be young men, who could later take degrees. Professor Peren and Sir Walter Buchanan also spoke. The Prime Minister said that as a pastoralist he realised the value of the subject, and that New Zealand was .lagging behind in agricultural instruction. He agreed 1 that the headquarters should be on the farm. The subject could not be taught to young farmers in the class room. Theory and. practice must go together. Professor Peren could be assured that the Government would assist him in his work. "I think we will be able to see we get value for our monev," he contin- [ lied, "and if that is done there will be no difficulty fo far as I am concerned while I ani Finance Minister. Your farm is there. If it is not suitable you have Weraron, and there is another in Hawke's Bay and one in Auckland."