AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 20 May 1926, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

UTILITY DISCUSSED AT FARMERS’

conference:.

At yesterday's -conference of the South. Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the Auroia branch tabled a- remit to -the effect: “That when the site for the proposed agricultural college is decided upon the erection of the college be treated, as a, matter of urgency.” ■Mr. F. Area said that the moment the site was decided upon file work should proceed. He moved, and Mr. \y. Lyndon seconded, the approval of the remit. Mr. W. E. Garter asked if the institution wou-kl be for use of professors, or for farmers’ sons. If for the use of the farmer, of whom the country could not absorb many, it would not be a great benefit. Mr. H. Cr. Dickie, M.P., said that the intention of the college was to give training for diplomas and degrees. Farmers’ sons could attend for a five months’ course each year in tihe winter, and work for -the rest of the time on the land with which they would not lose touch. New Zealand could absorb ten or twelve men with degrees each year. The site first proposed had been at Marten. Now Palmerston. North, Taranaki, and Taihapo had put in claims, that of Palmerston North being backed by an offer of £IO,OOO from the district. The duplication of claims for the college might result, in a delay in the decision where to build. The speaker said he had supported the Mairhon site. The purchase of a 1000 acre farm would amount to £20,000 for the laud. He had inspected a number of sites, one very near Marten, and, a.s was necessary in' such a college, within reach of electric light, water, and gas. He presumed that the college would open with between- 70 and 80 students as -at Lincoln. As -a matter of fact, most great colleges had had a lack of students since the war, fanning not offering the same -scope as other professions. This had been the case in U.S.A., Clana-da, and elsewhere. The land boom had placed difficulties in the way of a. lad getting ia -start on the -land., The college would be one of university grade, land to gain entrance it would probably be necessary to have passed the matriculation exmai nation.

Mr Dickie said lie was not very sanguine that slarihi colleges produced formers. The lads _ learned under “Rlolk9-Rloyoe” con ditionss and came hack to run on “Fiord” lines.

The president of the conference, Mr. E. J. Betts, said the college would be little liel-p to the formers. It would be built by the ratepayers-’ money, and as formers they should debate whether they should support its expenditure upon such lines. Mr. J. Dlaikens said that the question was: Would the institution turn out research men who ■ would be of due assistance to the farming industry? If so, it would assist the industry, and'be a great asset to New Zealand. Asked regarding the total cosit of establishment, QVIr Dickie said he thought the initial cosit would he about £IOO,000.

Mr. E. >M. Johns said the farmers hoy who had not passed matriculation should be catered' for. Mr. Ei. Walter, M.P., said the _acivic© of well-known .authorities had been to the effect that the college was needed, and this advice should be accepted. Science gave great results. Tin Government would not ’ build the college to be a white elephant. The institution would not .be tied up with red tape, and the doors would certainly be rendered accessible for che formers’ boys.

Mr. Dickie said that about £2OOO a year was derived from the O-fcaf-o endowments, and he thought- a. oort-ion of this' should he -available for the creation of Taranaki scholarships at the college. Tlie remit was approved.