AGRICULTURE COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 146, 21 June 1926, Page 3

AGRICULTURE COLLEGE

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have been reading much in your paper lately ro an agriculture colloge, which it is proposed to establish in this country. From what I can gather, the New Zealand Government has taken up the scheme; but it seems to me a better name would have been university, not college. The farmers themselves are evidently not far-seeing enough to have undertaken some such scheme for the training of recruits ; so ono must appreciate the Government's action, even, if it is only the fact of its endeavouring to do something in the matter. Denmark applied a commoiisense policy when they lifted their agriculture industry to the pinnacle on which it is to-day, for all the world to see. Are we in New Zealand going to shut our eyes to the fact? One of their objects is to give the men the necessary knowledge and a little experience, so that their work on the land will bring better results (not merely to add degrees to their names, and create- another white-collar profession in the country). There, anyone can receive six months' training for. the maximum sum of £20, with board and lodgings included; but the age must be eighteen or over. They, also, have some co-operative system whereby the recruit benefits financially from the salo of produce he has helped to produce during his term. Science enters very much into this course. To explain the latter fully would take up too much of your space. Now, why cannot we adopt this scheme which has proved itself? If we can add some improvements, well and good. Would there- be anything to stop the farmers and the Government from joining forces? I am sure the ratepayers of this country would not. and could not, object to the Governmentgranting money to such a. scheme which I Tiave endeavoured to outline. —I am, etc., F.C.G.