MEMORIAL UNVEILED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 163, 11 June 1936, Page 8

MEMORIAL UNVEILED

IN MASSEY COLLEGE. LATE SIR GEORGE EOWLDS. “FRIEND OE THE PEOPLE.” “Those who have been connected with the College since its foundation will all agree that in our first chairman, Hon. Sir George Fowlds, we had a most stimulating example. I doubt if in this, or any other country, there lias Jived one who had a deeper respect for human values, a keener interest in tho public welfare, and a more ardent enthusiasm for human, progress than ho whom to-day it is our duty and our pleasure to honour.”

Tin's was the tribute paid by Professor T. A. Hunter (Vice-Chncellor of the University of New Zealand), to the memory of the late Sir George Fowlds when, at tho graduation ceremony of the Massey Agricultural College, yesterday afternoon, he unveiled a brass memorial tablet in the hall in honour of the first chairman of the College Council, and who had occupied the position until his death. Lady Fowlds was present for the ceremony, together with the staff, students, and members of the College Council.

ADAMANT IN PRINCIPLES. “To an audience such as this it would be an offence for me to attempt to catalogue the public services of Sir George Fowlds, but it is fitting that reference should be made to some of the traits and services of him whoso memory it is to-day our delight to honour,” said Professor Hunter,. “From the mqment he landed in New Zealand in 1885 Sir George identified himself with all those social activities that in liis mind tended to forward the common good. Ho was a friend of the people. He early noted the importance of the problems of land in this young country, and enthusiastically espoused the unpopular causes of single tax and prohibition. It is immaterial whether wo accept or reject these doctrines. M r hat was important not only to us but for New Zealand was that here were a man who, as soon as he was convinced of the existence of evils and of appropriate remedies, was prepared to make the personal sacrifices that are involved when unpopular causes demand our allegiance i believe all who knew him would express the same appreciation of his personal character. 1 ever found him to be impartial, generous, constructive, and tolerant to those who were compelled to hold opinions different from his, hut adamant when it came to a question of principle. After years of service to the Auckland public,' he was called to Parliament in 1899, ’and from 1906 to 1911 was a Minister of the Crown. I think we all realise how easy it is in exalted positions to find reasons for continuing in office. Not so Sir George: he resigned his portfolios and resumed his seat outside the Treasury Benches rather than support- measures that violated liis principles. HIS GREATEST M'ORK.

“But it was education that was especially dear to the heart ol Sir George He knew that education was the life blood of any democracy worthy of the name; that nothing can make a world safe for democracy except democracy itself. I believe he would have fully endorsed the words of the American philosopher, William James, who wrote : ‘The deadliest enemies ot our nations are not their foreign foes; they always dwell within their borders. And from these internal enemies civilisation ,is always in need of-being saved. The nation blest above all nations is she in whom the civic genius of the people, does the saving day by clay by acts without external picturesquesness, by speaking, writing, and voting reasonably, by smiting corruption swiftly, by good temper between parties, by the people knowing true men when they see them, and preferring them as leaders to rabid partisans or empty quacks’. “With* this vision of democracy before liim, Sir George threw himself with earnestness into the advancement of all phases of education; he served on school committees, was for many years a member of the Auckland University College Council and for fourteen years its president ; was jor thirteen years a member of the New Zealand University Senate, where he was a pillar of adult education, and for five years was Minister of Education. That period of 1906-11 is one of the brightest spots in the history of popular education in New Zealand. Surely it would not he possible to improve on such a record in educational administration. “Yet, in 1926, nearing the allotted mark ot three score years and ten, at a time when most men rightly feel they have earned a peaceful retirement from the difficulties and worries of honorary service for the public good we find him throwing himself with almost impetuous enthusiasm into tho struggle for the founding of a new institution—the one that to-day endeavours in some small measure to honour his memory.

AN AMBITION REALISED. “For the term of their natural existence tho colleges of the University of New Zealand had been a hot-bed of provincial jealousy. Educationists despaired of co-operation and. if the posiuon us it then existed, hud been allowe’d to continue, New Zealand would have said farewell to any real advance in agricultural education tor another fifty years,” continued Professor Hunter in describing the work by Sir George Eowlds which brought about an amalgamation of these interests in the North Island. “May 1 remind you, stated tho speaker, “that at tho laying of the foundation stone of this College, Sir George said: ‘The establishment of this College marks another and very important advance in the educational life of New Zealand, namely, the voluntary coming together of the University Colleges of Auckland and AVelliligton for the promotion of scientific agricultural education and research. Tne union has produced such beneficial results, involving the submergence of some old provincial jealousies, that it deserves consideration. I hope and believe it will lead to further co-operation and co-ordination in the wide field of University education.' Thao hope is being realised. “The difficulties of the early period of the College’s establishment are now beginning to be hidden in the mists of time, and in the more congenial conditions of a happier day; but the position of chairman in those days was no sinecure. Temporary arrangements for classes had to he made in the Batchelar homestead; a staff had to be appointed; the farm had to be stocked and managed, and the policy of the institution find to he decided, with the final ndministratiye responsibility resting upon the shoulders of the chairman. The beginning is difficult ; infancy is the period of serious, often fatal, complaints. Sir George saw the College through this dangerous age and, when two years ago he died in harness, lie left it firmly established. I believe time will show the measure of his vision. I am convinced that to-day we stand on a site and

are conducting ceremonies in an institution that in tlie future will be recognised as one of first-rate importance. It is destined to play a leading part in the utilisation ot our national resources. When the time of full fruition comes the simple memorial that we are to unveil to-day will bear witness to the fact that when the opportunity cam© to New Zealand in 1926 the occasion found the man—Sir George Fowlds. To me the words of the poet, James Bussell Lowell, are applicable to this institution and to its founder:

AVe stride the river daily at its spring, Nor, in our childish thoughtfulness, foresee AA’hat myriad vassal streams shall tribute bring, How like an equal it shall greet the sea. O small beginnings, ye are great and strong, Based on a faithful heart and weariless brain. Ye build the future fair, ye conquer wrong, Ye earn me crown and wear it not in vain.” Professor Hunter then unveiled the memorial.

COLEAGUE’S TRIBUTE, “HIS GREATEST WORK.” Adding his tribute to the late Hon. Sir George Eowlds, Mr T, U. AA’ells (Auckland University Council) spoke as a colleague with tile late chairman in educational endeavour over a long period of years. Tiie late Sir George Eowlds, ho said. liad regarded the founding of Massey College as the greatest work of his life. To meet him was to respect him, to know him was to esteem him, and tho privilege of his' friendship was something to be treasured. No call to him in the interest of public welfare ever went unheeded, and he lived fully up to the Rotary motto of “Service Before Self,” A man of the highest integrity, he would never sacrifice principles to expediency. For principle he stood firm and true, though it cost him friendships, political advancement, and loss of business. He was sago in counsel, and sound in judgment. Massey College was the result of his foresight, and meant much to New Zealand. Mr AA’ells hoped the memorial would be an inspiration and challenge to the students to give of their best for the public good, hut tlie greatest to the late Sir George Fowlds would be the College itself. The memorial was inscribed, under the college coat of arms: — “In Memoriam. —The Honourable Sir George Fowlds, KT., C.8.E., Chairman of the Council 1627 —1934. “Erected by the Council, stuff and students”in recognition of his devoted service in the founding and development of the College. Died August 17, 1934,”