THE VALUE OF UNANIMITY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3480, 14 December 1926, Page 11

THE VALUE OF UNANIMITY

MD THE RESULT OX 1 INDIPC£, THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE CONTROVERSY. When the highly controversial question o£ a Dominion agicrultural college was debated in Parliament last session attention was drawn to the united front'shown by members from the South Island in advocating the claims of Lincoln College, says the “N.Z. Herald” editorially. By contrast, North Island members had little or nothing to say. Early in the debate, in fact, one of them, re-, presenting a constituency near Wel r lington, opposed the idea of spending money on any agricultural college. As was then remarked, the North-South note had already been struck. The South Island had seen to that. In the circumstances, having been so attacked, with plenty of warning, it was suggested that the North Island might have tried to take united action and thus counter the aggression. They did not. To all Intents and purposes they did nothing. Now, out of season, or at least out of session, the .Canterbury Progress League is seizing on this lack of unanimity to press again the case for Lincoln College. As the North Island versus South Island issue has been definitely raised and is being pursued, the league cannot be blamed for seizing such an excellent tactical position. In the singleminded pursuit of its objective it Is naturally making the most of the fine opportunity thus presented. The pathetic part of the situation is that, as has happened so often before, the want of common purpose among members has necessitated the fight for the North Island . being carried on outside Parliament in answer to attacks made in Parliament. It may be suggested that the North Island members have souls above the pursuit of such local differences. Unfortunately, with the agricultural college question, and before it that of a forestry school, as examples, it is more apparent they take too little interest in local questions. A little more effort, a little more concerted action on their part, might help to scotch this parade of interisland differences which floi. ' on their slackness.