FARMERS AND SENATE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1924, Page 8

FARMERS AND SENATE

REPRESENTATION QUESTION

REPLY TO MR. POLSON.

Proposals that- agricultural interests should be represented" on the Senate of the New Zealand University have recently been made by the Farmers' Union, and at yesterday'.s'meeting of the executive of the Union a resolution to this effect was carried. While the Minister of Edncation (the Hort.-C.J. Parr) was absent in Australia, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes,.. acting on behalf of the Education, Department, forwarded a letter tp the Farmers' Union acquainting it with1 the intimation that it was not deemed advisable to adopt the proposal. At yesterday's meeting of the Farmers' Union Executive, the president (Mr. W. J. Poison) remarked that in view of the fact _that. the' membersi of the senate would welcome the assistance of a representative from the agricultural and pastoraj. interests, the reply sent by the Minister was pathetic. "I despair of a Minister," declared Mr. Polson, "who could send such a reply. It shows a lamentable want of knowledge of the position and lack of, vision on his part." , In consequence of Mr. Poison's remarks on the1 subject, the Minister of Education to-day called for a report from' the Director of Edncation (Mr .J. Caughley). Mr. Caughley's report is as ifollows :—

, "I. forward herewith the file re representation of agricultural and pastoral industries on 'the University Senate. You will note thereon a letter drafted , b3 myself and signed by Sir H. Rhodes.' In connection therewith— ■ / (1) The Senat#has nothing to do with the agricultural and /pastoral industries beyond examining for Bachelor of Agriculture degree and examining in elementary agriculture for Matriculation.

(2) Lincoln' College has its own governing body independent of the Senate. (3) At. any meeting, of the' Senate matters related jk> agriculture would not cover one-twentieth of the whole time and a special' representative of agriculture would, for about 95 per cent, of his time, in that capacity be dealing with purely' academic mattersi- . (4) If; agriculture-were specially represented .''should not' the medical,; legal, teaching, and other professional bodies have special representatives? At present the members of- the Senate are appointd: (a) By Goveror in Council, (b) Coun; cils of University College. (c) Professorial Boards, (d) Elected by graduates of New Zealand, who include men of all kind's of "prof ession. ' ' -■■ ...:;■'.'.':- : . .■ . .-.■,'?./ai? to. see any justification for this rerriar.ks.ma.de by Mr. Poison at ;yester-;^ay.'s.meetinjg.-"».'7;^j':!'r^- -■'. ■#.^"'

(Sgd.) JOHN CAUGHLEY."