AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 11

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

DISCUSSION BY THE SENATE. WELLINGTON "RECOGNISED." AUCKLAND'S STATUS UNDECIDED. [BY TELEGRAPH." OWN fOR REST'ONI 'FAT."] WELLINGTON. Friday. The important question of improving and increasing instruction in agriculture was brought before the senate, of the New Zealand University yesterday afternoon and to-day. At. yesterday afternoon's session Professor Perren. of Victoria College, addressed the senate. He, said lie would have favoured one agricultural college for the whole Dominion but, recognising I lie considerable difference in the nature of I ho farming in the. two islands, he agreed there was room for one-in the South Island and for one in the North Island. At the meeting of the senate, 10-day, Professor T. A. Hunter (Victoria College | moved " That Victoria, University College he recognised as a school of agriculture.'' He said a, chair of agriculture had been established, and there were students in agriculture attending the college. If recognition was not, given by the university, the students would have to be, turned away. Recognition was nccessarv, not, only for an agricultural course, but also for the R.Se. degree. Sir Robert Stout. .M-r-onded the motion. Auckland's Position. The Hon, (J. Fowlds (Auckland) moved the addition of the words " and Auckland University College.'' He said he did not move, the amendment in any spirit, of hostility to Victoria College. All the. members of the senate were aware that Auckland had in view the establishment of a chair of agriculture. The money for the purpose had beer, in the hands of the council for 12 months and applications for a professor of agriculture had been widely advertised. Professor Hunter urged that they should deal with Victoria College first, and then Auckland College, could be dealt with afterwards. Mr. Fowlds agreed to Professor Hunter's suggestion and withdrew his amendment. Mr. Aeland (Canterbury) supported the motion, but suggested that, the Government, should be asked to appoint a commission to inquire into the whole matter. He knew that, there was, certainly in Canterbury, at, the present, time, a great deal of dissatisfaction with the present position of agricultural education. The development of agriculture was of the utmost importance. Dr. W. Anderson said lie thought- the proper course was to refrain from recognition of Victoria College as a school of agriculture at present, and either take the course suggested by Mr. Acland or promote legislation which would transfer iin endowment of agriculture, and any member of the staff appointed to Victoria College for this purpose to another centre. If there was one agricultural college to be established, in addition to Canterbury School of Agriculture, he was distinctly of opinion that. Auckland was the. proper centre, and not Wellington. One reason tor that was Auckland s special position in regard to sub-tropical agriculture. Dr. Inglis (Of ago University) suggested the addition of the word " provisionally" before "recognised. .Professor Hunter declined to accept the amendment. Agriculture Paramount. Professor A. P. Thomas (Auckland) urged that if there were to lie more than ono agricultural school, that school should be at Auckland. He was not arguing against the recognition of an agricultural school in any other centre. The paramount- importance of agriculture demanded that there should be teaching in that subject in each of the four centres. There would be widespread disappointment in Auckland if recognition of the Auckland School of Agriculture was denied, in any case, teaching in agriculture would go on there. The object should be to reach a large section of the people. Sir Robert Stout said the. proposal was not for the recognition of an agricultural university but an agricultural school. The school was not, necessarily to be a research school. There should be a diploma. course in New Zealand to encourage the, teaching of our farmers. That was what, was needed, and not so much research work. He thought they ought to encourage the system of having separate schools of agriculture, because agriculture was the most important, tiling to be considered in New Zealand. Professor O. K. Thomson (Otago) then moved | !n- addition of the word "provisionally.'' as had been suggested. Professor Hunter pointed out, that there was no such thing in the calendar as "provisionally recognised." Professor Hight pioposed the addition of the words "recognised for the vcar 1025. Professor Hunter declined to accent the suggestion. He thought that "must ungracious action'' had been taken by some members of the senate in regard to tin.-, question. Professor Might withdrew the- amend men t. Mr. De La Mare (Hamilton) expressed the opinion that re: careh work in agriculture should be carried out at Victoria ('ollege. Dr. Cameron (Otago) said he thought that, in view of the handsome, gifts v.hieh had been given to Victoria College and to Auckland College, nothing should lie put, in the way of the. work going on. Professor Hunter's motion was then put and carried.