AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BILL

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 296, 10 September 1926, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BILL

PROGRESS REPORTED The House of Representatives passed the second reading of the Agricultural College Bill at 0.45 a.m. to-day, ana the measure was committed forthwith. Replying to the protracted debate on the second reading, the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawkeu) described the debate as being one of the most extraordinary he had ever heard in the House. A paltry .ontention had been made about the expenditure proposed, yet during the past few weeks members had approved of larger sums in other directions without question. He could understand Canterbury members advocating the claims of Lincoln College, but he failed to appreciate the attitude of the country members, who should know what the new college would mean to . the producers of the Dominion. For many years past he had believed that the country people wanted education of the higher type, and despite what members had said, he was convinced there was still strong opinion among the farming community in favour of it. The "Bill was committed die short title was passed, and progress reported. This means that the Bill will probably be dead for this session.