The University Poll

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3478, 14 October 1926, Page 8

The University Poll

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The establishment of the Agricultural College -in Palmerston North is a huge step in its advancement, and who would retard it? Palmerston North is destined to become one of the greatest cities in New Zealand, and eventually its capital. To acheleve that status we want civic pride which will not stop at the entrance of one's pocket. We may differ (and we are entitled to) as to the light or wrong of presenting the Government with the McHardy property, and at the same time secure to ourselves a valuable reserve, but the old saying that “God helps them who help themselves,” is still good and true. Hence X think we are helping others to help ourselves by giving, as our contribution to progress, the McHardy estate. No doubt Mr McHardy, with his usual liberality, will make his contribution towards the progress of the town that he undoubtedly has a soft spot in his heart for. Unfortunately, our town in common with other places, possesses a lot of —if I may coin a couple of terms—human dead-ends or stagnaters, who would sooner see the -waters of progress stop at the dead-end, stagnant with moss on top. than running in the race of progress. The shortsightedness of these people is of the “bullockwaggon’’ typo. Look at our library! On what grounds can we oppose the loan? From a working man’s point of view? No. The college is going to provide a lot of work for someone. The more establishments and industries in a. town, the more work. From a ratepayer’s? No. The ratepayers’ property must advance in value with the march of progress. It is not going to make much difference to the small or large ratepayers. Industry is what we want in Palmerston North. Wandering from the college question for a moment: Here we have a town of nearly 20.000 (wo would have that number if we took in Longburn tho same as Wanganui took in Castle - cliff), and wo have not enough go in us to manufacture the soap we use. Why not a soap factory in connection with the abattoirs? The council could make tip from this source the little extra college rate. Then, front a geographical standpoint, why not railway repair shops hero—their rightful place? Look at tho work they provide. Wake up, Palmcrstonians. Vote for the loan; your electrical works will pay it Keep in the line of progress, and swat the croakers. If tho college is not an advantage, how is it that every other place is breaking its neck to get it?—l am, etc., IV. P. CUTLER. Palmerston North. October 13, 1926. [To the Editor.] Sir, —On reading the report ot Mr ■W. Milverton’s meeting in your paper yesterday morning only one conclusion could bo arrived at, and that was that a public-spirited man was calling meetings and footing the bi.l and others were taking advantage of the opportunity to get a little advertisement for themselves. The same thing happened at Mr Milverton’s last public mooting-. He got side-tracked amongst the hot-air that was then blown off by a few authorities on everything under the sun. It was refreshing to read what Mr Christensen said. He seems to have left all the orators spoil-bound. The ratepayers have been entertained lately with letters from so-called opponents of the £IO,OOO loan, but very little argument against the proposal has been presented to them. Surely \for the sake of a few pence per annum —as Mr Christensen said, a “packet of cigarettes .and a box of

(To the Editor.)

From an Educationalist's Standpoint

matches”—no public-spirited ratepayer would vote against the loan. Palmerston North will shortly celebrate its jubilee; it is the most progressive town in the Dominion; and is the envy of many other places; and its citizens will carry the loan in great style, the writer feels sure Aaything said on Tuesday night to the contrary will be found to b« quite erroneous. I am, etc. “AGRICULTURE.”

Sir, —On Wednesday next Palmerston North is to be offered the greatest opportunity that has ever come to :l —an opportunity that will nevei recur. Make a mistake here and it is “irreparable. Other mistakes may be rectified, but the decision once made on Wednesday stands for al. time, and Palmerston North will be numbered with those towns that nobly rose to the occasion or witn those that recline in the land ot “Lost Opportunities.” Now is offered us the privilege of doing something tc bring to our town all that a University means: of supinely letting the nation do everything, or of sublimelj rising to the occasion and playing an enthusiastic part in the endowment of the Agricultural University. What does an iAgricultural University mean to our town? It means first, that our farmers and primary producers will have placed at their disposal that body ot knowledge, and those results of research that onlj a University can give. This will result in increased production and the whole district will be the first to gain widening out to the whole Dominion With the main to the district, ct’ery man and woman -will share. Secon.dly, it will bring to us, all tho advantages of a University town. One has only to think of those small towns in the old as also in the new world that owe their prosperity and their fame to the presence of the University to understand fully what such an institution would mean to our progressive centre. Palmerston North must gain neatly, and in material things as in life generally, the measure of our giving will be tho measure of our gain. Thirdly, the University will realiss for our boys and girls that ideal for which we have all striven—the completion of the educational ladder from the Kindergarten to the University. For I am certain that if we people of Palmerston North have vision, the Agricultural University will grow and develop into a full faculty University training our young man and womanhood for a complete, liberal and useful life. II we rise to the occasion, if we venture boldly, there is no doubt that the University will become the centre of the new life of our land. An enthusiastic, liberal, united people at this stage will place beyond the possibility of doubt the consummation of our wishes.

And the cost? In these days the cost concerns us all vitally. Here ;s the cost. For the trifling sum ol from nincpcnce to three shillings a year on his residential property, every ratepayer can have the privilege of knowing that he is contributing to the securing of all the advantages mentioned above, and more, for he can help endow a University for all. Yes, for all, for tho spirit of the new University is liberal and unbounded by traditions of the past. Wo can make our University what we desire. Let us not be niggardly, let us not hamper it at the outset, but let us all show our united enthusiasm for a great ideal by casting our vote on Wednesday next in favour of the University. That is what the loan proposals mean. L. F. do BERRY.