THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 4

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

“ THE BATTLE OF SITES.” SOUTH ISLAND’S CLAIMS. : ATTITUDE OF OTAGO. For many months now “the battle of the sites” has been waged with varying fierceness in the North Island. The Agricultural College, so much discussed and so much needed, has been the subject of many heated controversies, and all anent the comparatively trivial question of s site. We, in the south, and particularly in Otago, with our own fine University and our respect for the dictates of those who must eventually decide the location of ftfrig national institution, have held pur-

selves more or less aloof from the battle, and adopted a policy of “splendid isolation.” However, our immunity from participation in the struggle is likely to be threatened. South Island farmers’ organisations are beginning to awake to a realisation of their rights in this direction, or at least of what they consider (erroneously or otherwise) to be their rights. The North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has taken the matter in hand, and is marshalling its forces for a sortie. It appears that Canterbury members of the New Zealand University Senate have advised union officials that the South Island will not be considered in view of the report of the University Commission unless some application is made for a location in the South Island. These enthusiasts claim that if the proposed one big college policy is to be adopted, that college must by all the laws of economy and common sense be erected where £200,000 has already been spent, and ‘ where graingrowing and general farming is carried on to a degree admirably adapted to the carrying out of experimental operations of every kind. In short, North Canterbury is most anxious that New Zealand’s academy for the ancient and noble art of agriculture should be situate at Lincoln.

That is North Canterbury’s point of view? What will the North Island say? The North Island, where city and country, borough and township, have aspired to the honour of being selected as the centre of agricultural learning, is scarcely likely to hail with delight the advent into the arena of another rival, with claims at least as deserving of serious consideration as some of the flimsy reasons set out by some of the northern aspirants. I can almost see the North Island rear its head in impatient indignation, and exclaim, “Hence, wilt thou lift up Olympus?” Still the battle must continue, and the more combatants there are the more casualties there will be.

But where do we in Otago como in? As I have said, local farmers have not been greatly perturbed at the thought of some northern centre being selected, in fact if the truth were known, few have seriously considered their home province as a site. The attitude of the local provincial union has been ad admirable one. If the “one big college” policy is to be definitely adopted, Otago will not press for recognition for the South Island, but should it be decided that colleges should be established it is emphatically affirmed that Lincoln should be one of the sites. Still, Otago has no desire to precipitate any clash between north and south, and for that reason has hitherto “let well alone.” Such an attitude, however, is not quite possible when sister institutions, aggrieved nnd hurt at seeming neglect, appeal for moral support in an endeavour to have the South Island recognised. This is what has occurred North Canterbury has suggesto'i nointedly that Otago should take (he i r up in conference on Tuesday, and thrash the matter out thoroughly. So are we drawn into the conflict. Of course, there is no reason why we should not refuse to be drawn into the controversy, but I am afraid there is room for much trouble and heated debate, that will accomplish little more than a revelation to northern rivals that Otago, too, is in the throes of the battle. The local Farmers’ Union has been renuested to make mention of it next neek, and to include it on the agenda paper, and although I see no mention of it or, the sheet I have>. before me, the subject will doubtless be worried out at the conference.

Otago might well leave the struggle alone. The northern contestants have deluged headquarters with applications and claims of more or less validity, and I should think, have made those in charge heartily sick of their parochial bickerings and snaiiings. The pros and cons will be carefully considered and a decision arrived at in spite of the numerous claims received. Many will be weighed in the balances and found wanting, and those who “methinks have protested too much” will feel their rejection much more keenly than we who have up til! now rested content that our claims to consideration will be dealt with in the fulness of time and with deserving equity, in spite of the fact that we have not paraded before an amused country a long list of reasons why we, and we alone, should be recognised.