AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1937, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

The reference made by the chairman of the Massey College Council, Professor Hunter, to co-ordination of the work of Massey and Lincoln Agricultural Colleges would arouse interest among those who consider there is rooiri for greater development of agricultural education in the Dominion. Professor Himter intimated that, there would be no rearrangement of the work without careful consideration and full inquiry by the councils of both colleges. That is quite satisfactory so far as it goes, but it might aid the cotmcils in attaining the best results at each institution if they could place before the public some particulars of tlie proposed cO-ordination. There can be no doubt of tbe value of agricultural education to i community that depends upon primary production for its livelihood. Observers from oversea have expressed surprise that wider provision for teaching has not been made, particularly in regard to -animal public health. At one time it was considered desirable to concentrate higher agricultural teaching at Massey College. Wisely or not, it was decided to maintain a second college in tlie South Island where instruction could be given in subjects in which the South Island is more particularly concemed, such as the development of tlie wheat-growing industry. Possibly experience has proved that there are not so many differences between northern and southern conditions as affecting the various problems of husbaiadry, and that, apart from local considerations, it would be possible to increase and improve the training given to students if the teaching were concentrated at one institution. There is a feeling in existence that the Dominion is supporting two institutions neither of which is fully equipped or' staffed. Were the resources pooled and but one institution maintained it is thought that better results would accrue. This impressioii may be wrong, but imtil an authoritative statement is issued by the couneils of the two colleges it is one that is likely to cxtend.