AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2312, 3 December 1925, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

MINISTER ON PAROCHIALISM. HOW TO KILL THE PROPOSAL. In an address at the annual dinner of the Whangaroi Chamber of Commerce, the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. ■ McLeod) said that he hoped the people would be freed from parochialism in regard to tho establishment of agricultural colleges.

Some had'advocated that there should be one such college in the North and one in the South Island, but the provision of one would meet his desires most. There was a tendency to urge that schools should be in the four chief centres. “If you want to kill the proposal, that is the way to go about it,” said the Minister. “This Dominion has not got money to erect agricultural colleges all over the country.” There was room for two such colleges at the most, and their location should bo settled as a preliminary. Further, they should bo attached to the university.. In regard to farm schools, Mr. McLeod expressed himself as being favourably disposed toward them,, but said that unfortunately the support was a long way short of what was desired. If town men went to the farm schools and saw what boys were doing they would assist the movement. Here was an opportunity for city men to lake an interest in the primary industries. If the farmer also showed similar interest in industry and commerce, by mutual discussion the requirements of both sections would be closely approached.