Farm Education Vital to Dominion

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 206, 31 August 1943, Page 6

Farm Education Vital to Dominion

ARREST DRIFT TO TOWNS The modern farmer requires to be an agriculturist, scientist, a skilled artisan, a useful tradesman and the manager of a business, so far as the practical side of his life is concerned, while on the cultural and social side he requires that measure of knowledge that will enable him to play an intelligent part in society and in the government and affairs of his country. On this premise Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of governors of Massey Agricultural College, based an interesting address on agricultural education in the post-war world at a luncheon of the Auckland Creditman’s Club. Recalling the disastrous failures consequent on the absence of any planning for the postwar poriod in 1918, Mr. Campbell stated that in the era after the present war the farmer might be faced with the possibilities of rising costs, deterioration of soil and loss of fertility through lack of sufficient fertiliser during the war period. On the other side, falling prices for products and the continued use of substititues due to war exigencies would require to be contended with. From the national aspect, New Zealand would always be dependent for its wealth and welfare on the primary industry, and it was essential that the standard and status of rural life should accordingy be raised to prevent drift from the country to the towns. The principal alms of agricultural education were to provide the agricultural community with the most up-to-date information on the practice and science of agriculture in all its phases; to enable that community to derive the utmost benefit from farming as a mode of life as distinct from a source of living and to provide other sections of the community with information on the fundamental principles of agriculture and fac- | tors affecting farming. This should be I done so that agriculture would not be | popularly discredited as an occupation I and to prevent any cleavage of opinion between rural and other interests on fundamental issues. In implementing these aims, a great deal had been already done by way of extension of teaching and research, with profitable results. Much could be achieved through education in the schools. The development of the school system, he considered, should be so altered as to emphasise the need of preparing as many pupils as possible for rural occupation as a mode of life as well as a means of living. Massey College had prepared for extension in that direction, and one step proposed was the giving of special courses, of short duration, on vital matters connected with agriculture which would include animal husbandry, soil and crops. Plans had also been made for a series of courses on homemaking and domestic science for women directed towards breaking down prejudices against rural life and emphasising its attractions and its possibilities. Mr. Campbell dealt in detail with the schemes for rehabilitating returned servicemen in the farming industry. It was planned to provide for three classes of returned men. There was the man who was already a practical farmer, and for whom it was suggested a post-war graduate course at Massey College. There was also the returned man who was a practical farmer and required assistance to go on to a farm provided by the I Government, and would benefit by a I special short course before entering on a property, and the third class was the serviceman who had no practical experience, but desired to go on the land. In this case the man could have gained preliminary knowledge under a good farmer, to be followed by a course of instruction at the college. The schemes proposed, would prevent the tragic failures after the last war, when men unfitted and uneducated for farming went on the land without the slightest chance of success. They would also provide a means of ascertaining what men were capable of making farming and rural life a success.