AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 July 1927, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

KILE BEFORE PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph) (From "Tho'Mail's" Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, 26th duly A Pill entitled the Massey Agricultural College Bill was introduced into the House to-day along with a Hill amending the Canterbury College Act. to provide for the incorporation of Lincoln College in the agricultural education schemes. The measure amends the Act passed last year by altering the name of the Now Zealand Agriculhira\ College to tin; Massey Agricultural College, this being done as one means of perpetuating the late statesman's memory.

The attendance at the college is to be equivalent to the attendance either at Victoria or Auckland University Colleges and the council of the new college may grant diplomas in agricultural science without, reference to the university or Victoria or Auckland Colleges. Moneys may be raised under tho Educational Purposes Loans Act for the equipment of the college. The total amount, of subsidy payable in respect to any voluntary contribution received by tin! college council shall not exceed £25,000.

'The Canterbury College and Canter. bury Agricultural College Amendment Bill introduced with the above measure provides that the attendance at Canterbury Agricultural College shall be equivalent to the attendance at Canterbury University College and increases tlie membership of the Hoard of Governors from seven to ten. The college may also grant diplomas in agricultural science. Subsidies or voluntary contributions shall not exceed .-£25.000 and the annual subsidies are limited to> £IO,OOO. All. thority is given for a grant of £IO,OOO from Education Loans Account towards improving the building and equipment of Hie college. The Minister of Finance is to provide £3700 annually for earrving out of research work at the colleges. In introducing the measure the Hon. O. J. Hawkeii said South Island members had objected to the use of the name "New Zealand College of Agriculture."

"SCHEME SPOILT BV SEPARATE CONTROL" "Mr W. S. Glenn said that what might have been a national scheme had been spoilt by the two colleges being put under sepaiate control and he doubted whether the ultimate result would be favourable to i ] m> Dominion. Apparently Hie second Pill was rot to the South Island members. What was wanted was one central college in the North Island.

Mr D. Jones said that Mr Glenn, advocated economy yet he was asking for more expenditure. The question " was not one of Norlh v. South. Mr J. A. Lee said it was obvious (he Government had submitted jo logrolling Try the South Island members. Mr W. D. Lysnar considered this was no time to find £IO.OOO for the South Island college before the college was established m the Norlh Island.

Mr Coates said a broad view had been taken of thejnaUer. He regretted that the name New Zealand College had been changed, hut the South Island members were anxious to preserve the identity of Lincoln College. Certain work in regard to animal husbandry could lie done at Lincoln but everything connected with dairying would be lone at I'alincrstou. He was satisfied the whole scheme would he of benefit In the Dominion but' they must have Hi" fanners with them.

Mr G. W. iMirbes supported the Go* rumenfs action.

I lie Hon. 0, ,T. llawken denied there liad been logrolling and hoped the whole matter would now be accepted amicably between Ihe (wo islands.

After further discussion the Bill was '•'ad the first time.