CHAIR OF AGRICULTURE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHAIR OF AGRICULTURE.

SUGGESTION FROM FARMERS. The question of establishing a Chair of Agriculture at Canterbury College was raised at a meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College yesterdav, bv a deputation consisting of Messrs D. Jones, W. A. Banks, I). Rates, and T. D. Boas, representing the executive of tho North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union. Mr D. Jones Faid that the question was a rery important one. The im- | portancc of agriculture to New Zealand | could not be over-estimated. It would | remain the main industry for very many [years. It would require all the educational help that could be given it as las they were being asked to increase I the extent of their productions. A very large percentage of the population of this country had to pet its living out of the six or 12 inches of surface soil. The deputation came to the board with confidence because this was the home of agriculture. In any scheme Lincoln College would liave to be a link in the chain, but at present the results being attained were not satisfactory. At present there were in New Zealand 16 or 19 meu who had beon educated at Hawkesbury College in Australia, and they had got positions that ought to have gone to our own l>oys. However well a man may be trained and educated in other lands, it was wrong that he should come to New Zealand and experiment with their fanners' sons. These men were not acquainted with local conditions which they had to learn when they came here. They should train first-class men in agriculture here in New Zealand, and the agriculturists of New Zealand should be put in at least as good a position as the agriculturists of Australia and America. The board derived much of its revenue from the land, and that revenue would be increased by the course that the deputation was suggesting. He understood that the College was considering the advisability of establishing a Chair of Forestry, and perhaps the two might be combined. Mr W. A. Banks supported Mr Jones's view, and quoted what had been done in other countries. Mr W. Brock said that merely the appointment of a Professor of Agriculture would not meet their wishes. What was wanted was that the practical work at Lincoln College should be co-ordin-ated with the scientific work at the university. Mr J. C. Adams said that at present there was a difficulty in corelating the work at Lincoln College with the scientific work at Canterbury College. It would be impossible to establish a Chair of Agriculture at Canterbury College, and cover the whole course, scientific aud practical. The practical work went beyond the functions of Canterbury College. Mr C. 11. Opie" said that the Canterbury Education Board had realised the necessity for an Agricultural Scholarship, but had found that the law would not allow them to give it. It was desirable that the city boys should be diverted to the country. The Board of Governors of the Technical College was much interested in Agricultural education. He agreed that it would be impossible for Canterbury College to undertake the practical side of the work. The whole matter was most important and should be referred to a committee for a report. The chairman (Mr n. D. Acland) said that it had been made clear that at present the position was unsatisfactory. There were no proper means in New Zealand of manufacturing agricultural instructors or of educating agriculturists on other than the practical side. After the deputation had withdrawn it was decided to refer tbe matter to a special committee consisting of the members present, with the exception of Dean narper, who asked to be excused. It was also decided that the committee should confer with the representatives of Lincoln College to North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union, and the Professorial Board of Canterbury College.