AGRICULTURAL WORK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 March 1925, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL WORK.

+ MAINSTAY OF DOAiINiOiN. WORK IN THE SCHOOLS. UIY TELEGRAPH- —PRESS ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON, March 16. The great need tor inculcating love of farm work and country life in the primary schools throughout -.the Dominion was strongly .stressed; by Sir Rob-et-r Stout in his evidence, to-day before the Board of Agriculture in regard to agricultural education. Sir Robert Stout states that 40 years ago he had urged the need for proper instruction in agnieuilfture and' liQ therefore welcomed the present inquiry. Sir Robert thought the need to-day was not for colleges for turning out 10 to 20 expert men every year for research work and for giving instruction in agriculture, but rather for agricultural training, even in our primary schools, to popularise farming, to induce a iove of country life, to show young people that the highest in- ' tellectual life was just a.s possible to the farmer as to the doctor or the lawyer, and, that scientific training in agriculture would yield big results in increasing the productivity and wealth of the country. He, therefore, was not in, favour of one big central institution to turn, out experts 1 , but suggested rather giving training in agriculture, first on small plots in connection with primary schools and then on. larger areas in; connection with the, secondary schools, and from them those best qualified could go in. for still higher training. Til this way he thought that we would secure not only a few ex.pert , '> but ia, large number of young fellows who were willing to, put their brains and energy into, this agricultural work - , which for many years to come, if not for ever, must he the main industry of the Dominion. Sir Robert said he did not see why the matriculation' examination should not include papers on primary agriculture to meet .the requirements! of students who wished, to go on, and secure a, diploma, or ia, degree in agriculture., He. would do what lie could in the University Senate in, this direction. He repeated that what was wanted was not, ten, or twenty experts, hut something like 500 young agricultural enthusiasts turned out every year. Important evidence on agricultural education and research, was given, by Professor G. S. Peren, Professor of Agriculture at Victoria l College, Wellington. Professor Peren urged that instruction, was needed by specialists with a broad outlook, for a. mere university degree would, not help industry. A type of training was necessary a,s well. Funds should be gnauteri 'to have at least, one institution with a first-olaes staff and course. There was a. great need for more research in the Dominion. , It should be done, in agricultural colleges as much a,s> possible. -The research, staff of the Government laboratory should he closely associated with, such work. Regarding colleges and farm schools in the North. Id and, not more than one college of university standard, was necessary. He would like, to .see the various centres,, pool their funds and ensure the establishment of a strong institution.. Failing that, he advised: “Use your money for research stations.” For location, he favoured Penrose Farm, Master,ton, against Wera.roa Farm, Levin, a.s the former, while good ®heep country, was also adaptable for dairying. £40,000 was, the least for which a college could he established and the Minister’s estimate of £60,000 was nearer the mark. Under present conditions there should he one college in, the North Island and one in the South, and Lincoln College sboulldi be brought to the standard of the North. Island institution and serve for the South Island. . i