AGRICULTURE.

Northern Advocate, 26 February 1925, Page 6

AGRICULTURE.

PROVISION OF COLLEGE

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Nosworthv) issued the following statement last week:— "The Government has given further consideration to the general question of agricultural instruction, including the provision of further instructional facilities of the type which would be afforded by an agricultural college and conducted on modern lines. In view of the fact that various sums of money have been given for the purposes of agricultural instruction, and that these gifts have emanated from different parts of the Dominion, the question of their utilisa tion, on lines that will ensure that the best results to the Dominion as a whole are obtained, is one requiring much thought and careful inquiry. In addition to the question of what further educational facilities are required, there is also the matter of bringing Lincoln College into 'whatever scheme is finally adopted.

"Having regard to the whole facts of the position, as it exists at the present time, it has been decided to ask the Board of Agriculture if it will undertake a full inquiry into every phase of the question, obtain evidence from gentlemen in various parts of the Dominion, and to go generally into the matter from all points of view, with the object afterwards of reporting to the Government, and submitting recommendations as . to the lines of action which, should be adopted. In this inquiry, it is proposed to associate with the board two responsible Government officers, representing the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, respectively, and I feel confident that, with the experience possessed by the members of the board, the knowledge that they have gathered regarding agricultural education generally, and their intimate acquaintance with all matters bearing on the agricultural and pastoral industries, they are exceptionally well fitted to conduct an inquiry of this nature, and to advise the Government as. to the best course to adopt in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. '' While speaking of this matter of agricultural education, I should likt to take the opportunity of expressing my great appreciation of the generous action of Professor J. Macmillan Brown, Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, in offering the University Seriate £2000 for the purpose of establishing scholarships on agriculture. This generous action of the chancellor must prove of material assistance in furthering the advancement of agricultural science in the ! Dominion. | "The Board of Agriculture is well representative of all parts of the Dominion, the individual members being: Sir .James Wilsoa, Bulls, president: Messrs E. Averill, Bastings; W. B. Grant, New Plymouth,- E. Hall, Onehunga: D. Marshall, Southland: .T. H. Perrett, Sanson; W. Perry, Mastertou; 1"). W. Westenra, Dunsandel; J. Tsegg, Dunedin; E. D. McLennan, Papakura: O. L. Marshall. Marton; W. D. Pike. Blenheim. "The president of the board has been communicated with, and it is anticipated that the inquiry will be commenced at a vorv earlv date."