THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 March 1928, Page 9

THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

OPENING CEREMONY TO-DAY. PRIME MINISTER’S EXPECTATIONS. tnx I’isLiiGßAm association.) WELLINGTON, -March 19. “The opening of tne Massey College to-morrow affords mo great pleasure and (satisfaction, as tne truition oi several years or endeavour to provide the North Island with an institution or higher agricultural instruction reseiarclr,” stated the Prim# Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) to-day. “When- one views the efforts of other progressive; countriejs and the enormous post-war developments in agricultural science,” he went on, “the establishment of such an institution appears ovedue.

“The essential differences between farming methods in the two islands makes two institutions necessary, not .superfluous. There is more than sufficient work for both, and good understanding between control'llng authorities of these institutions, the research Council and the Department of Agriculture augurs well for thorough coordinated effort.

“Our agricultural industries are of paramount importance, and their numerous scientific problems call for tine full effort of both institutions, both in teaching and research. Fundamental as ii« the work of the stations centred round the College. Ibelieve the mostimportant factor in the farming of the future is the farmer himself—farmers of the highest standing, tenders in the community. skilled in thje, .art and pratetice of farming, and appreciative of and ready to take advantage of scientific assistance.

“I am glad to note that the teaching programme of the College aims- at the production of what I believe the country needs —well-qualified farmers, capable instructors and research workers ; with full co-ordination between science and practice. The young farmers of the future will have to compete with much fiercer world competition and their standard of knowledge and attainment will require to he higher and their outlook broader if we are to keep prosperous and ma.ke farming a more economic proposition for our rising generation, and tend to keep our best youths in the country. “The Government desires that no spirit of aloofness shall exist between the college's and the farming community, and confidently asks our best farmers to rally round them in a spirit oi helpful co-operation and (sympathy. With newer ideas, more suited to the advancing times, wi3 look to the Massey Co'lege, as to Lincoln College, to feel itself as entering vitally into the lives of our agricultural community, and 1 trust and l>elieve that the Massey C'ollegp will emulate the spirit of iservice of the man whose honoured name it hears —a man who, himself a. farmer, had ever a Toady ear, to whom farmers always could lean for helpful advice and assistance, and whose influence reached out into the country spaces of this Dominin.” COLLEGE DECLARED OPEN. PALMERSTON N„ March 20. In the presence of a large gathering the Massey Agricultural College was officially declared open this afternoon, the ceremony being performed by the Minister of Agriculture. Among those present were members of the college council, the heads <>f the various divisions of the Department of Agriculture and representatives of the farming community.