JUST ONE COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12204, 31 July 1925, Page 3

JUST ONE COLLEGE

FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

A BACKWARD PROFESSION OPINION OF FARMERS 7? “The question is not whether we shall have one or two agricultural colleges "in New Zealand, but whether we should have one or none at all,” said the president of the Fanners’ Union Conference (Mr W. J. Poison) yesterday, when a remit was advanced conveying the sentiment that if there are to be 2 agricultural colleges, it is the opinion of the Otago branch that the second shoiild be at Lincoln College. It was considered, however, that one was sufficient for the requirements of the Dominion. Mr F. Waite (Otago), spoke briefly on this subject, and said New Zealand was singularly lacking in turning out) professional agriculturalists. Mr W. B. M'atheson (Elketahuna), spoke to a remit ’>n the question, and said there were too many going into the “black-coated” profession, while the country was being-swamped with students for the law. Mr O. P. Lynch (Manawatu), advanced a claim of LeVin (Weraroa) for the North Island agricultural college, and said the land on which the Government had already made improvements of £20,000, was valued at £9O per acre. A voice: Too high 1 In continuing, Mr Lynch protested that Levin was admirably situated. He thought there should be two, agricultural colleges,—one in the North and one in the South.

NEW ZEALAND FAR BEHIND A member (facetiously): Why not have a floating college. (Laughter). The president said the question was not whether there would be one or two, but whether there would be one or none at all. New Zealand, was truly far behind in higher educational matters, and he thought members should concentrate on haying a college established—irrespective of its •locale. . . The conference finally decided that one agricultural college was sufficient for the requirements of the Dominion. On behalf of 'North Canterbury, Mr J. D. Hall urged in a remit that the Government provide additional ’ funds for research work, and also an increase in agricultural instructors. Mr Roberts (Poverty Bay), struck a startling note when he said the land in New Zealand was going hack at the rate of £IIO,OOO per year, and it was that that the extra research staff was pxpected to check.

IN MATRICULATION Mr C. O. Munro -considered that the lack of research work was a standing reproach to the GoYonnucnt-j and said New Zealand 'had a splendid climate for “breeding weeds and diseases. He averred, that the introduction of natural enemies was a large factor in the eradication of pests. The remit was adopted. Mr Matheson (Eketahuna), moved that the agricultural college should be a unit of the University, and should indude a school or forestry.—Agreed to. „ Mr 'G. L. Marshall sought to have agriculture' given a more, prominent place, in matriculation examinations and he made- either a compulsory subject, or take the. place of German or said the educative authorities were advising the' students not to take agriculture as a subject, simply, because it was a wider and a harder subject te teach. , ,„ Mr Brown pointed out that at present agriculture was dealt with in matriculation under “Natural science, which was of np use. The , extra language necessary was no use to tne agriculturalist. ■ . The motion was earned. ... . Correspondence courses for backblook children were -also advocated.