AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 29

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

BELATED OFFER FROM LINCOLN, WELLINGTON, September 9. During the course of his speech on the second reading of the Agricultural College Bill, the Hon. Mr Hawken (Minister of Agriculture) referred to the question of the duplication of colleges at Lincoln and Palmerston North. Up to the present time he said, there had been no definite offer from Lincoln College to make it a Government institution. No official communication had beep received from them. Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East): Have you given them a chance? Mr Hawken said the question had been going on for four or five years. There had been two or three commissions, but up till a short time ago they had never had any offer from Lincoln to form it into a Government institution. Naturally the Government could not undertake to spend money in largo sums in a case vhere it was to have no control. He understood that now there was an offer from Canterbury of Lincolo College for national use. Unfortunately in the meantime the Government had committed itself to purchase land at Palmerston North, and the whole matter had been arranged up to a point. Auckland and Wellington had agreed that the college should be somewhere between the two cities. A late offer from Lincoln would, therefore, put the Government in ah awkward position. He did nt think the countrv would bo satisfied if Lincoln College were to be the only college. Neither Auckland nor Wellington would consent. The country could not afford to kfeep two colleges of a proper standard. Lincoln College, however, wgs a feature ifi the scheme. It had valuable work to do in certain directions, and it w’ould come in for considerable help in the scheme, and would have its status considerably iVnproved. Lincoln was required now for the work it was at present doing. It renuired £SOOO to bring the building up to date to do the work it was already doing without doing anv other work. The sum of £SOOO was also wanted for two laboratories that were necessary. The college had a certain class of work to do in research connected with grains, seeds, and forest crops that should be carried on at length. There was need for more teachers there to teach the research work. He felt, however, if the South Island members would agree that Lincoln could be brought up to a good standard in conjunction with the college the Government proposed to establish in the North Island, there was no yeason why scholars should not be interchanged between the two colleges. The two could work very well together. Those i the North Island might like to take a course in pure agriculture, and could go to Lincoln; while those at Lincoln might like to take a course in dairying at the other college. That would be the best way of settling the difficulty between the two islands as to what the uses of the separate colleges should be, but there could be only one fully-equipped college, ; and that should be a central one. He .was willing that Lincoln should be put on a much better footing than in the past. At present there was no chance for two complete colleges in a small country like New Zealand. In regard to the North Island gifts, there was the Smedley estate, where the boys of Hawke’s Bay might learn farming. He thought that gift might be used to help their boys to go to the college proposed under the Bill. If the central college were not founded, then Hawke’s Bay probably would want a college to -itself. The same thing would probably happen in Taranaki. He wanted to see the South Island in this project. The constitution of the board should not be a difficulty, though it late in the session. He felt that such a Bill as had been introduced should commend itself, particularly to the country members of the House.—(“Hear, hear.”) Mr George Forbes said the Minister was ’evidently endeavouring to work up enthusiasm which he did not feel himself. | He, in his own mind, no doubt thought that this was the class of college that wa9 wanted in New Zealand. This was shown from what had happened at Lincoln. ’ Men had gone through the college and { obtained their degrees, but had to leave New Zealand in order to get employment. - Apart altogether from where Lincoln was situated, his firm belief was that the large ; expenditure contemplated on this new col-. 1 lege was not warranted. It was not the ' men with the higher education that made ' the best practical farmers. This new college was recommended only by Sir F'rank Heath. Mr Hawken: No. There were two commissions. * Mr Forbes: Sir Frank Heath was no ' better fitted to report on this subject than • men who had been in this country all their : lives. The new college would cost £150,000. He did not know what the land . .would cost. \ An Hon. Member: In all, £25,000. Mr Forbes: We know the costs are always exceeded when you start to spend . the money. i Mr Forbes said the training given in Lincoln College in the ordinary way was looked upon as any great advantage ->to the young farmers in Canterbury. £ What was wanted was some training in .the actual work that was to be done. 1 Mr D. Jones (Ellesmere) said that Mr Forbes had to some extent discounted the j. value of agricultural education. It was not so much a matter of the union of , Wellington and Auckland interests as the \ execution of the wishes of the Farmers’ , ■ Union for the past five or six years for an agricultural college. The farmers of . the country had asked for the college without really understanding what it > meant, and he wished members to make k cure before proceeding too far that they J were on the right road. The idea which was abroad that the New Zealand farmer , ’ was of a poor class was quite wrong. “You always rely upon the Englishman to . discount in others everything that he him- « eelf possesses,” he said. There had been ! • great deal of confusion because Sir . Frank Heath's report had not been thort oughly studied. Sir Frank was opposed to centralisation, and had emphasised the necessity of making the most of the inetitutions which were in existence in the

Dominion to-day. It was generally recognised that dairying was the most important aspect of agricultural research in New Zealand. This college was going to bo merely a link in a chain of institutions which would fun throughout the Dominion. It foundation of the agricultural and pastoral industry, and it was desirable that it be laid on the most efficient grounds possible. Mr Jones said he had received a promise from the board of Lincoln College that if Lincoln were made the agricultural college of New Zealand they would hand over that magnificent institution to be the Agricultural College of New Zealand. It was worth £220,000, or at the least £200,000. It was a magnificent college that had been training, not only students from Canterbury, but from all over New Zealand. Usually about half of them came from the North Island. The college was in an ideal position, and had magnificent land—9oo acres in the main farm and a similar area of lighter land in the farm just outside. It might be said that the gift had come too late. He did not think it had, but he hoped the Government would consider this, not in the light of what it was committed to in the past, but in the light of making a review of the whole situation as it existed to-day. He knew that it would be difficult for the Minister to go back on what had been done so far, but a strong man would take all the facts into consideration in view of the new development that had arisen. He believed the developments were of sufficient importance for the Government to reconsider the whole question. He (Mr Jones) was not approaching the matter from a provincial point of view. An agricultural college was of the utmost importance in connection with agriculture, and if the college remained in the South Island it would be only one in a chain of institutions that would be of service to this country. The North Island should look at the matter in that way. It was too big subject to look at it from the noint of viey of any town or province. They were laying the foundations of the agricultural and pastoral industry, and they wished them to be laid on the best possible lines. Lincoln College had rendered a magnificent service to New Zealand at a very small cost.— (“Hear, hear.”) It had practically paid its way, and had taught a large body of farmers. It had turned out Bachelors of Agriculture, but for Bachelors of Agriculture New Zealand w r as one of the worst markets. When he was in Montreal (Canada) he had visited the college there. The principal was away at the time, and he was shown into the room of the actingprincipal, who, when lie was shown in, said: “Hello, Mr Jones, what are you doing in America?” He was a New Zealander, and second in command of the great Macdonal College. We could not find positions for degree men in New Zealand.— (“Hear, hear.”) Mr Jones suggested that it was not wise at the present time to spend much money on a new agricultural college in view of the enormous possibilities of agricultural instruction by means of wireless. That system would have many advantages, and it would be ver - cheap. He urged the Government to start by accepting Canterbury’s gift and to establish a research institution in the north, where the research work could be centralised. He hoped that in connection with that research there would be some centralisation of the different departments. He knew all this was embarrassing to the Government, and Canterbury might be wrong for coming in so late, but he felt satisfied the Government would be big enough to take the big view and reconsider the question in the interests of the whole country.

PALMERSTON NORTH SITE. WELLINGTON, September 9. Mr 11. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) said that for a fraction of the money which the new college would cost, all that was required could bo obtained by bringing Lincoln College up-to-date. Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) considered that the financial conditions of the country did not warrant the expenditure of a quarter of a million on an agricultural college which could only turn out graduates for whom we could find no employment. The money could be better expended in giving the people a reduction in taxation. Mr T. K. Sidey said the Otago University was not interested in the subject of the Bill. They had specialised along certain lines, but not in agriculture. The purposes of the Bill, as explained by the Minister, were commendable enough, but when applied to the existing conditions in New Zealand they could not be regarded so favourably. The fact was that the whole scheme was not well thought out, and should be withdrawn for more mature digestion which would result in a more definite place being assigned to Lincoln College. The discussion was proceeding when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. the debate on the Agricultural College Bill was continued by Mr J. Mason (Napier), who advocated the establishment of a thoroughly efficient college. He said we should aim high and do the very best for the primary producers. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) deprecated conflict between the north and the south in connection with this matter. The Government, he said, should go straight ahead and not be inflenced by the offer of Lincoln College, no matter how valuable it was.

Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) said that Southern members had asked why the country should spend a quarter of a million on a college in the North Island when there was already a college in the South Island capable of doing all that was required, but to that question there had been no answer.

Mr J. It. Hamilton (Awarua) said he thought the question was a national one, and should be so discussed, but he could see nothing but North Island interests in the Bill.

Mr 11. H. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) said he wanted to know when the offer of Lincoln College was made to the Government, and if it had been made at all. If it were offered before the Bill was brought down, then the Government should be asked why it committed itself to the Palmerston North site. If it were not so offered, then he thought that Lincoln College had no grievance. He did, however, think the Government made a mistake In deciding upon a site before it had got legislation passed, as it was now committed to a site without legislation to give effect to it Ho endorsed the general .prln-

ciples of the Bill, but he thought some of its details would be better amended.

The Prime Minister said they were doing everything possible to meet the competition which sooner or later they would have to face. He agreed that they should have thorough methods in farming, but many farmers wanted a lead, and, while they were looking for a lead, the House was discussing whether the college should be in the north or in the south. If it were going to cost £150,000 per annum, he said, they should take it off some of the railways and get the necessary information for our settlers which research work would give them. An agricultural college was a plank in the Reform Party’s platiorm. There had been many recommendations by high authorities for better agricultural education in the North Island, and as soon as the Government was able to remove the conflicting interests between Auckland and Wellington it could not hang the matter up any longer if it believed a college was necessary. The Palmerston North site was selected only because it had so many advantages, not the least of which was that it was central. He did not think further investigation was necessary. They had had investigation enough. If they did not go on they would have three or four inferior colleges, and it was better to have one good one. The Government had no official offer of Lincoln College, but if it took it over it \ oulci not stop a crop of small colleges arising in the North Islaud. Lincoln College had to be retained, and it had to be brought up to date, and the Government was prepared to spend £IO,OOO to do so. The position should be dealt with now. It would not grow easier as the years went on. The Government was making an honest effort to meet a national necessity, and he asked the House to make sacrifices to make it an accomplished fact. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton) said that Lincoln College was definitely offered to the Government conditionally upon it being made the agricultural college for New Zealand.

Mr J. Linklater (Manawatu) favoured the establishment of the college, but could not understand why the State farm at Weraroa was not selected as the site for the college, instead of a site only 20 miles away.

Mr F. Waite (Clutha) said that the Farmers’ Union wanted one college for the whole of New Zealand, and did not care where it was situated so long as it gave efficient service.

Mr H. L. Tapley advised the Government to reconsider the position, because he considered the belated offer of Lincoln College would change the whole aspect of the question. Mr H. G. Dickie (Putea) opposed the establishment of the college on the grounds of expense. Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) also opposed the Bill, and Messrs E. Walter (Stratford) and H. M. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay) supported the measure. Sir Joseph Ward said the Government would not lose any dignity if it postponed the Bill till next year to give time for further consideration. The country could not afford so large an expenditure as was required at the present time. The Minister, of Agriculture (the Hon. O. J. Hawken), in reply, characterised the debate as one of the most extraordinary in his experience. Members had talked economy and objected to help the greatest industry in New Zealand. Last session they voted £IOO,OOO for the Otago University alone. Better agricultural education was an urgent need. Lincoln College could not ta!:j all the students offering. and the Government was trying to make the necessary provision. Personally he was disappointed with the tone of the debate. He thought with so many country members that the policy of the Government would have been widely supported so as to give the farmers wliat they were entitled to the benefit of—namely, higher education. The Bill was read a second time on the voices, Mr Atmore failing to call for a division in time.

TENTATIVE PROPOSAL ADOPTED.

WELLINGTON, September 10. A new development occurred in connection with the New Zealand Agricultural College Bill this afternoon. It was generally supposed last night that the Bill would be dropped because as it stood it could not command a majority in the House. To-day, however, attempts at a compromise were made, and tentative proposals to enable a modified scheme to be put in hand were agreed to by the representatives of the contending parties. When the Bill was again taken in committee Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) moved an amendment to the first clause so that the Bill would become an Act authorising the establishment of an agricultural college at Lincoln. Mr H. E. Holland said lie wished to see an agricultural college established. He believed that an arrangement could be mqde that would suit all parties. He suggested that the conflicting elements should come together and see if they could not arrange an agreement. The Canterbury members might agree to something that might give them a college without taking away from any of the others the rights they had at the present time. The Hon. Mr Hawken (Minister of Agriculture) said the Government was agreeable to do anything that would get over the difficulty, but when it came to dividing the work .and making two colleges he could not see that it could come to any arrangement at all. It was not possible to have two colleges with a half staff in each. That would not be a satisfactory arrangement. There was evidently a distinct cleavage of opinion as to whether the college should be in the North or the South Island.— (“Hear, hears,” from southerners.) If the college were put in the south there would be demands from the north, where by far the greater population was. It simply meant that there would be demands not only for colleges, but for other things, and the whole position would get out of hand. Members should consider the position carefully and help as far as they could. If Lincoln were to be made the college tomorrow then they could not hold the position. There was only one thing to be done—to treat the two islands fairly and squarely, and that the Government was trying to do.

A few minutss later Mr Coates, who had entered the Chamber, interrupted the disoussion and suggested that they should report progress for the time being on the Bill. He believed that with a little delay

a perfectly amicable arrangement that would suit all parties could be coine to. Mr W. D. Lysnar (emphatically). Oh, stick to the Bill, and go on with if. You’ll do no good with them.—(General laughter.) Subsequently Mr Coates read a statement to the House as follows:

Parliament is now asked to pass the Bill, the Government undertaking that the Council created bv the Bill Will be‘instructed in the meantime to proceed only with such arrangements as are necessary for teaching and research in connection with the dairy industry, and matters bearing directly upon it, including pasture establishment and maintenance and animal husbandry as affecting dairy cattle. The Government will fulfil its

commitments and purchase the land already selected at Palmerston North,

and will provide grants of money sufficient to enable the Council to proceed along the lines mentioned. During the recess the full nature of the offer of

Lincoln College Board will be investigated in its relationship to a complete Dominion scheme, and amending legislation will be brought before Parliament

early next session in order that the House may be an opportunity of reviewing the whole question.

Mr Coates said he had not had an opportunty of discussing the statement with all the members of Parliament, but he had done so with several. He thought it covered the position, and he sincerely trusted that the House would agree to the passing of the Bill in view of the Government’s commitments as stated.

Mr 11. E. Holland said he thought this was the best arrangement that could be made under the existing conditions. In view of the express undertaking given by the Prime Minister, there could not be any mistake as to what was meant. He suggested that, during the recess, the Prime Minister should get into communication with the different elements of the House who had made representations in regard to Lincoln College, and arrange that necessary legislation should be brought down early next session. He knew' it represented a compromise on the part of both sides. Mr Sullivan pointed out that, even if the arrangement were accepted, the Government would get its Bill. It would be able to say: “There is our decision.” Mr Coates: Subject to the statement, surely. Mr Sullivan (having read a copy of the statement which was handed to him) said he understood the agreement had been come to in order that the House might have an opportunity of reviewing the whole position. In view of the statement, he would be very glad to withdraw his amendment.

Mr Howard said the arrangement was in the right direction. On the third reading of the Bill, Mr 11. 11. S. Kyle (Riccarton) said, on behalf of the Member for Ellesmere and other Canterbury members, that he wished to thank the Government for the compromise on the Bill. On behalf of the Canterbury members he also asked the Government to remember its promise to give £IO,OOO to provide additional buildings, improvements, etc., at Lincoln.—(Laughter ) The Bill was then read a third time, and passed.