AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 1

AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL

WANTED IN AUCKLAND REQUEST TO MINISTER “LAND POLICY FIRST” A representative deputation of Auckland agriculturists, horticulturists and others associated with settlemen ; waited on the Alinister of Education. the Hon. H. Atmore. this morning, asking for an agricultural college in Auckland. Air. PI. R. Jenkins, M.P.," introduced the deputation. Mr. N. R. W. Thomas (Horticultural Society) said a school had been recommended last year by various interested bodias and approved by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. It had been suggested that the school should be established rather than a technical or secondary school. It should be within an easy district for city boys. Papatoetoe had been suggested by the Hon A. J. Stallworthy, but this would mea:i a long journey for 300 boys—the number it was hoped to secure. The city boy had no opportunity at present to learn agricultural or horticultural work, and’ such a school would provide training for those, whose inclinations turned toward the land. It was proposed that the school be started with 200 pupils. The number of boys taking an agricultural course in the existing schools was increasing rapidly. Air. J. Hunter. chairman of the Auckland Council of the Institute of Agriculture, said that trades were almost closed to boys, and unless som# other avenue was open they could not secure employment. It was regrettable that in a country dependent upon its primary production there should not be full training in agriculture available. The Government was commit ed to a progressive agricultural policy, and the time was ripe for a forward move in the direction indicated. Mr. S. Hamlin, representing the Auckland A. and P. Association, supported the previous speakers, and read a resolution passed by his association. This dealt with the necessity of a thorough school training in agriculture and kindred technical subjects. “The lack of agricultural education is having a disastrous effect,” said Air. E. Yates. “The stressing of the academic side of education tends to influence people against going on the land.” Mr. Af. G. Gribble, secretary of the Land Settlement League, urged that if the position was tackled now, in 10 years the whole thing would be cleared up. Messrs. G. A. Green and M. J. Savage M.P., supported the deputation. The Minister said he agreed that the agricultural industry must be dominant for many years, and secondary education should be more directed to it. He agreed with Air. Gribble that muc h of the work seemed to be along wrong lines. He expressed the opinion that the indiistry, on which the towns depended, should be supported by means of organisations helping the Government in its closer settlement plans. The trouble now was not to find a square hole for a square peg, but to find any hole at all, owing to the lack of any land settlement policy in the pas: few years. To make jobs in the city land settlement had to be fostered. He believe*! that certain large estates must be broken up, and if the private organisations would help by passing resolutions supporting this sort of action they would help create the necessary public sentiment. Ho expressed himself as in sympathy with the idea, but the question world have to be held up till the end of the month, when he hoped to give a dec sion on post-primary education. A vigorous land policy was the first step, and everything else would follow