“Cabinet To Make Final Decision”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29582, 3 August 1961, Page 14

“Cabinet To Make Final Decision”

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON NORTH. August 2. “The Cabinet will make the final decision on the site of the proposed new veterinary school—not the Minister of Agriculture, nor the Minister of Education,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) today in a statement replying to newspaper criticism of the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent). The newspaper article asked how the question of deciding a site for the school had become one for the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Hayman) when any money expended on establishing the school would be administered by the Education Department.

Saying the criticism of Mr Tennent was unjustified, the Prime Minister added: “Mr Hayman certainly has not assumed responsibility for the selection of the site for a veterinary school, nor has Mr Tennent let down either his department or his electorate, as has been so unkindly suggested. ‘‘l take direct responsibility myself for what investiga. tions have been made to date,” he said. “I initiated this proposal in 1954 while Minister of Agriculture. It resulted from a request by the Department of Agriculture. That is why I asked the Minister of Agriculture in this Government to investigate the sites—a perfectly normal and proper, procedure.” Mr Holyoake said that as the authority eventually responsible for the administration of the school, naturally the Education Department, through Mr Tennent, would have every opportunity to advance its views. The opinions of the New Zealand University Senate and others would also be considered, along with other relevant factors, before the Cabinet came to any flnai decision. The manner in which suc-

cessive Ministers of Agriculture in both the Labour and National Governments had taken over the question of the veterinary school site from the Minister of Education, was the subject of com. ment at a recent public meeting in Palmerston North by the Pro-Chancellor of the University of New Zealand (Dr. L. J. Wild).

He said the University Senate had approved Massey College as the site for the school without one dissenting vote.

The Senate’s recommendation had been based on sound academic reasons. “If there has to be a sound political reason, as well as a sound academic reason, God help New Zealand,” Dr. Wild said.