BOYS AND FARMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 1

BOYS AND FARMING

FEW CITY LADS ATTRACTED STIMULATING INTEREST “It is surprising, in a country* where farming is the basic industry, that there is not greater demand for instruction in agriculture. There is little doubt that there is just as real a need for education for the farmer as for the skilled mechanic/' In his annual report, the principal of the Technical College. Mr. G. J. Park, made this statement to-day. “In my opinion, it is unfortunate that agriculture as a vocation has attractions for city lads,” he continued. “The enrolment of boys in our agritulture course this year has . totalled 33. The total enrolment of boys lius been 517. You will, therefore, see that the boys intending to follow agriculture form only about 6 per cent, of the boys who come to the technical college for a course of pre-vocational education. “The time is ripe for extension of the facilities for education in agriculture. because there are more applicants for trade apprenticeships than there are vacancies, and at such a time it may not be so difficult to induce boys to turn to the primary industries. “It will be unfortunate if the present difficult times drive to the country boys in whom there has not first been created an interest in rural conditions and agricultural science. The reasons for boys being interested in various occupations are many, but I believe that knowledge is one of great importance. The more a boy knows of engineering, or wireless, or any other matter, the more absorbing becomes his chosen subject. “I believe that if city boys have tin* opportunity of instruction in agricultural matters, some at through increased knowledge of rural science will develop an interest in agriculture, and turn to country pursuits for a livelihood. Very much more should be done among secondary school pupils in this direction.”