AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE LEAGUE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 15

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE LEAGUE

Enthusiastic Inaugural Meeting ITS NECESSITY MADE PLAINLY APPARENT Tho North Island • Agricultural College League was enthusiastically inaugurated at the Showgrounds yesterday, when BXr J. A. Nash. M.P., presided over an attendance 0/ about 100 delegates. Associated on the platform with the convenor were Messrs Jas. Knight, president of the A. and P. Association; J. K. Simpson, president of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce; and Professor Pcrcn. Apologies for absence and best wishes were received from Messrs E. A. Ransom, M.P. (Pahiatua), T. Forsyth, M.P., of the Wellington Education Board, C. B. Norwood, Mayor of Wellington, and P. J. Nathan, Mayor of Palmerston North, and H. E. Pacey (Palmerston North). First Steps. Mr Nhsh said a preliminary conference had been held a few days ago to consider talcing first stops to form a North Island Agricultural College League. It had been unanimously decided to proceed, and to ask neighbouring to be .represented at that imSEing. It was also agreed that a North Island conference was eminently desirable. There were certain M.’sP. who needed bringing into line, and by Interesting Ihe Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts, they would be able to form a strong organisation. On the following day a conference was to bo hold in Christchurch, the purpose of which was to arrange for tho gift of Lincoln College to the Government and thus prevent what the Bill provided for—namely, a college in Palmerston North. Regarding tho site, ho was glad that Professor G. S. Porcn was with them that day. Professors Pcrcn and Reddilt had come to no hasty conclusion in the selection of the site, and tho Government had only adopted their recommendations after they had been carefully reviewed. It was well known that Lincoln College did not possess all the attributes tor an agricultural college, but its authorities had made a magnificent offer that should not be disregarded. Tho value of the property offered, he said, was £250,000, and all knew that sometimes in political circles “tho tail could be twisted,” even after a decision had been made, and it behoved them to got together Mid to unite to make strong repre sentations to the Government xnat the agricultural college must be erected in tho North Island. In their discussion, he desired that tho question of Palmerston North as the site should be left out. Tho pro-, porty had been purchased and the gift loan carried. After discussing the purpose of tho college, Mr Nash called on Professor Peren to speak.

Professor Peren’s Views. Professor Porcn publicly thanked the people of Palmerston North for their gift and he, as one member of the Council, greatly appreciated it. The McHardy estate would be a very valuable addition to the property secured for the college. He wished to make it quite clear, however, that the position regarding the college was not dcflntely settled. Had the loan been turned down, he would have been still more doubtful about the issue. The two colleges had appointed its two members each, and the Board of Agriculture, its representative. It now remained for the Government to appoint its four members, who should be selected shortly. The charter granted by Mr Coates was much wider in scope than most people imagined. It included dairy research, dairy farming, pasture work, animal husbandry —in fact, all aspects of dairying in the North Island. It was not true that Professor Redditt and he were solely responsible for the selection of the site. The big question was: Was the site merely to be that of a dairy laboratory, or a research centre and an agricultural college? The Hon. O. J. Hawken and other Ministers had made it, quite clear that there was to be only one college, and the query was whether Palmerston North or Lincoln was to'secure it. That was the naked position. The Professor said there were many erroneous impressions abroad regarding the purpose of the college. There was no intention to turn out shoals of graduates. Their idea was to give a good degree course (which had been stiffened up considerably and another year added), to a limited number of men. That these men were needed was axiomatic. The solution of their land problems was the work of specialists, and the college would aim at a constant supply of these men. They must rely on the common sense of the .Council not, to turn out degree men in excess of requirements. Best Site Obtainable. Everything considered, ho believed that the site at Fituherbert was as good ns could be secured. It was necessary to choose a place that could last for generations and was in close touch with the general life of the Dominion. Many criticisms had boon levelled at the quantity of high-class flats included in the property. But this was quite unjustified which would bo very valuable, and not an excessive area, for certain kinds of work. Other critics had said whv not take a piece of country in the' foothills that was going back to scrub and show what could ho done . This was perfect nonsense. Some people would place the college there to tackle one problem, which having been solved, leave the institution in a totally unsuitable location. Ho wished to correct Mr. Nasli regarding tlie sum of money necessary for the Agricultural College. It was £150.000 and not £250,000. as had

been so persistently stated in the House and out. Ho warned them that tho South Islanders, drawn together by adversity, had formed a very strong opposition and he regretted td say that the North Island was divided somewhat against itself.

Mr. Jas. Knight, president of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, urged that all should pull together and do their utmost to secure the establishment of the college on the site selected. “I’m rather disappointed in Palmerston North as far as the vote on the loan is concerned,” he said. "I was surprised to find so many people were against it, when it was going to cost them nothing, or next to nothing.” League Formed.

Mr. J. B. Simpson, president of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce, then moved: “that it is the opinion of this conference that a league be formed, to bo called the North Island Agricultural College League.” In seconding, Mr. M. A. Eliott (Palmerston North), said that when the proposal was first mooted, tho Borough Council had endorsed it unanimously. Had the opponents of the gift loan been able to hear Professor Pcrcn, there would have been no opposition whatever (applause). However, Palmerston North was now practically unanimous in Its support. In speaking as a member of tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J. H. Stevens urged that it would be the better course to form not a North Island League, but a Dominion-wide league. Instead, also, Of an ordinary association of individuals, ho would like to see the Dominion represented by its representative bodies —the Universities, colleges, high schools, Farmers’ Union and Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Maurice Cohen thought Mr. Stevens was moving too quickly. For tho purposes of propriety and for their own protection, tho League should be confined to the North Island. This view- was supported also by Mr. W. F. Durward. Otherwise, ho said, the South Islanders would bo forming a similarly-named body, and nobody would know which ho was supposed to support. Messrs. J. A. McLcavey and F. W. Hubbard expressed similar views. Mr. M. A. Conway said the question resolved itself into whether the North Island or the South Island was to have tho college. Mr. J. M. Johnston’s statistics had proved that the only place for it was the North and they must influence tho politicians to that viewpoint . Mr A.. G. Simpson (Rangitikei) was warmly applauded when ho expressed his personal support of the purpose of tho League. Mr. V. E. Smith, representing Lie Pending Chamber of Commerce, pledged the support of that body. Mr A. K. Drew, on bohglf of the Manawatu County Council, did likewise. . Raw Material. They had been working for very many years, said Mr. H. Tolley (Feilding) to have established secondary education on agricultural lines, and they were now hard at work preparing the material to send on, in due course, to the University College in Palmerston North. The Board of Governors was unanimously behind them in their efforts. He moved as an addition to tho original motion that all present enrol as enthusiastic members of the League (applause). Mr. J. M. Johnston seconded. Tho motion was carried unanimously and the meeting proceeded to tho appointment of officers, as follows: —Chairman: Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P.; vice-chairman; Mr. M. A. Conwey Executive; Messrs. J. M. Johnston, M. A. Eliott, H. Tolley, A. E. Bennett, chairman of tho Manawatu County Council, Jas. Knight, 11. Y. Lethbridge, A. Campbell. C. Vile; secretary and treasurer; Mr. W. McKenzie. Followed a brief discussion on organisation and it was resolved to hold meeting’ in various centres in the North Island. Professor Porcn said that in addition to turning out a limited number of professional research workers, tho college would provide a course of an entirely different type for farmers and those intending to go on tho land. There would also be short courses on various subjects, such as one for dairy factory managers. This would bo their answer to those who asked what was intended by the Agricultural College. .