DOMINION'S FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 102, 2 May 1944, Page 6

DOMINION'S FUTURE

PART OF AGRICULTURE

EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT

P.A. AUCKLAND, This Day. The important part agriculture must play in New Zealand's economic life in the near future was stressed by speakers at a special general meeting of the Auckland Vocational Guidance Advisory Council today. The main purpose of the meeting was to consider the question of agricultural education and training. The Education Department was stated by Mr. H. McChesney, Senior Inspector of Schools, to be dissatisfied with the results so far of the efforts made to get specialised agricultural training in the district high schools. More important reforms were now contemplated as the Government and Department recognised the need of making young people who were going in for rural pursuits thoroughly efficient. The Government was exploring the idea of establishing special schools with farms attached, and investigations had been made in North Auckland, where most types of soils were found. The desire was to create a real farm atmosphere under the instruction of a practical farmer. The Rev. Dr. Terry, Director of Catholic Education in New Zealand, expressed the fullest support for the development of agricultural education, which,'he said, was vital to New .Zealand's future. The Catholic Church was making an earnest effort to tackle the problems involved. People should realise the disadvantages in . bringing country children to the cities in a Dominion where so much upon a vigorous rural programme. . Mr N. G. Gribble, of the Youth Centre, said the\ time had come to j consider whethftr the proprietor! farmer basis in agriculture was sufficiently wide. Under a co-operative system it would be possible to utilise the experience of both the farmers and agricultural workers. Ihe conditions must be made more attractive. A i special committee consisting of Sir Joseph Smith and Messrs. R. C. Clark, W. Alexander, A. J. Kerse. and subject to Departmental approval, Mr. N.-G. Gribble, was set up to report on the whole question of agricultural education.