THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 117, 11 February 1926, Page 8

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

MR. W. PERCY’S OPINION “THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION” “Dominion” Special Masterton, February 10. Interviewed regarding his opinion of the decision concerning the site for the new agricultural college, Mr. William Perry (“Penrose”), who has taken a prominent pant in the matter throughout, said the decision of the two Lniersity Councils should definitely settle the. whole matter, and that the Government could now go ahead. He thought the agreement arrived at was the best possible solution of a difficult problem, and he congratulated the Professor of Agriculture on their successful diplomacy. “Now that Auckland .have agreed to join forces with Wellington,” said Mr. Perry, “a central position such as Marton is the only proper solution.’’ Had Auckland decided to go on their own, then the Wairarapa site was as good as anv other, and had the advantage of being a free farm with some buildings tor a start. He hoped the Government would lose no time in making a start with the foundation of an up-to-date college, not necessarily to spend a big amount of money immediately, but the plans should be drawn to provide for future expansion. There was no excuse now for not having a firstclass college. .... As for the future of the laratahi Training Farm, time would prove whether it was necessary to start a farm school there as recommended by the Board of Agriculture. In any case the farm could be used either as a farm school or for advanced _ experimental work, in which capacity it would be a very useful adjunct to the central college. MARTON PEOPLE MAKING A MOVE At the meeting of the Victoria University College Board of Governors last night the question of the site of tlie proposed agricultural college cropped up incidentally. „ , The Marton branch of the Farmers Union forwarded the following letter: “11l connection with the proposed agricultural college, a Ministerial inspection of suggested sites, .in this. district will be made on February 25. The executive of the committee set up at a recent public meeting of borough councils, countv councils, and all local and official bodies representing the district from Patea to Taihapc, desires to extend to your board an invitation to send a representative to accompany the Ministerial party and so gain at first hand knowledge of the potentialities of this district and of suggested sites. The letter was dated February 2, before the Auckland and Wellington University Colleges had. come to the agreement recently published. Some discussion followed the reading of the letter, suggestions of political pressure .being brought in. Professor Hunter pointed out that the Auckland and Wellington Professors of Agriculture were already in the district designated in the agreement arrived at inspecting probable sites, and the university colleges, and not the Government, decided upon the site ■>f the institution. Mr. A. Fair thought it would be wise to send a delegate, and he saw no harm in asking the professors to inspect the sites referred to in response to the. invitation. , The chairman (Mr. .McCallum) could not see where the question of" politics came into the matter at all. It was only natural. that the members of Parliament representing the districts affected should make some niove in the matter, but he could not see how that would affect the result. Mr. P. Levi- agreed with Professor Hunter, and could not see what good could be done by accepting the invitation to send a delegate. Mr. McCallum thought if politics was at the bottom of the invitation it was time they heard from Wairarapa on the matter. On the motion of Dr. Stout it was decided to thank the Marton bianch for the invitation, and ask Professor Peren to attend to the matter, at the same time suggesting that Auckland should also be asked to send a deleigate. ' i . . It was stated that the Prime Minister had promised to receive a deputation on the matter on February 22, and Mr. Levi stated that Hon. George Fowlds, of Auckland, had promised to join in with it.