CO-ORDINATION OF COLLEGES

Southland Times, Issue 23378, 9 December 1937, Page 4

CO-ORDINATION OF COLLEGES

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURE BILL PASSES ALL STAGES (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 8. The development of higher agricultural education in New Zealand was traced by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) in moving the second reading of the School of Agriculture Bill in the House of Representatives tonight. The Minister said, that from 1880 until the early 20’s the Canterbury Agricultuaal College, better known as Lincoln College, had been the only institution teaching agriculture to the degree requirements of the New Zealand University and during that time it had been entirely self-support-ing. The position of agricultural education had been profoundly influenced by notable bequests made by Sir John Logan Campbell and Sir Walter Buchanan who had been responsible for the endowment of Chairs of Agriculture at Auckland University College and Victoria University College respectively. “It was recognized that without some amalgamation two North Island schools could not function satisfactorily, Mr Martin continued, “and after protracted negotiation the New Zealand College of Agriculture was established at Palmerston North in 1926 combining the two North Island Chairs of Agriculture. Canterbury Agriculture College remained aloof from these proceedings, but when the University of New Zealand recognized the northern college as the only one accredited to teach, up. to degree standard it demanded restitution of its rights and this was done in 1927 when the Canterbury College was also granted an annual sum of £3700 for research. The northern college was renamed Massey Agricultural College.’ The Minister referred to financial difficulties suffered by Canterbury Agricultural College during the depression years and the assistance that had been extended to it and said that since he had been Minister of Agriculture he had been dissatisfied with the position of the two agricultural colleges, not coordinated, coining to him for assistance. The Bill provided for complete coordination between the colleges, and he wished to pay a tribute to the committee that had been working on the question. The Bill had the full approval of the governing bodies of the two institutions and also of the teaching staffs. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton) said the establishment of a council to exercise jurisdiction over the two collegse would result in unanimity of control. Overlapping was undesirable and unnecessary. While Massey College could specialize in dairying, Lincoln College could specialize in crop growing. The elimination of overlapping would place agricultural education on a standard equal to anything in the British Empire.' Canterbury people were proud of Lincoln College, which was really an endowment from the old provincial days. There was very little further discussion on the second reading and the Bill was put through its remaining stages and passed without amendment.