TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1912, Page 6

TELEGRAMS.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE •■ ,'_ . — ♦- . WAIRAR APA S CLAIMS SET FORTH. (Per Press Association.) WELLIGTON, Aug. 25. Yesterdaj* afternoon 1 representatives of various local bodies in Wairarapa headed by Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.P., waited on the Prime -Minister x in his capacity as •Mdnister for Agriculture, and urged the claims of Wairacapa as a site for an agricultural college which the Government to establish in the North Island. v , The deputation contended that Wairarapa is eminently adapted for such an: institution by treason of the extent and variety of its products, and the fact that within a comparatively small area all the varieties of agricultural, activity are being carrieu on. It was 'also urged "that in the past the Government had not given sufficient consideration to the necessity of ap plying science to agriculture.^ The Wairarapa, it was contended, had a prior claim to ' its ibedng selected as the site for the proposed institution. . , The headmaster of the technical school (Mr W. H. Jackson), who is also l ai.member of the Masterton Lands stated that if Waicrairapa was selected scholarships would be given by edght county councils m the district, Masterton and Wairairapa A. and P. Association, Pahiatua A ! . and P. Association, Greytown Trus>tlands Trust 'and a irumber of settlers. Tre Prime Maiiister said that he had been very 'glad to notice, that the proposal to establish an agricußuirai college in the North Island had met with general -approval. He agreed that veryvliittie had been done in the past in the direction of applying science to 'agriculture.. That was. a defect they proposed to remedy in the near future. A very gr 4 eat deai of prelminary work had to be done in connection with the proposal. First . he had -to get the consent of Parliament. He had no doubt that . thjtf> consent would be forthcoming. Then he would have to consult his Ministers as to ways and means, and in. the recess he supposed the responsibility would , fall, upon him of selectinig.a site for the college.' In that connection the claims of Wa? rar'apa would receive due consideration. He woukT'ribt make any. promise until he had visited the different suggested, sites arid seen them for himself: : : «Mr Buchanam asked whether the offer of monetary assistance would induce the Government to favourably consider the proposal. The Prime Minister said any such proposal would be considered by Gov eminent. Already he had been asiked if £20,000 would make any difference in the Government's selection -of a site. ".'