PRESS NOT WANTED AT CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18012, 24 November 1926, Page 5

PRESS NOT WANTED AT CONFERENCE.

POSITION OF LINCOLN COLLEGE DISCUSSED.

A conference by the Canterbury Members of Parliament Committee was held in the City Council Chamber this morning, but the proceedings were conducted in committee. Besides the members of Parliament, there were present representatives of the Canterbury A. and P. Association and of each of the other A. and P. Associations which elect the Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, M.L.C., presided. In his opening remarks he stated that their friends in the North Island had shown a very bellicose spirit, and the remarks that might be made that day might not improve the position. They all recognised that there must be an agricultural college in the North Island, which was entitled to such an institution. At the same time the South Island did not wish to see the status of Lincoln College lowered in any way. “I wish it to be made quite clear that I am not presiding over this meeting in my official capacity, and any expressions I may make will lie my owu private views," said Sir Heaton. “It has been suggested to me that we should go into committee. Personally I would like to see everything made as public as possible, but it might be as well not to publish the discussion.” Colonel G. J. Smith, M.L.C., expressed the view that the discussion would be much more free and open if the newspapers were not represented. They did not wish to have published remarks that would increase the antagonism of their North Island friends. The conference then decided to go into committee. At the conclusion of the conference the following resolutions, which were passed, were handed to the reporters. (1) Moved by Mr D. Jones, M.P., seconded by Mr 11. A. Knight: That this meeting agrees to the handing over of Lincoln College to the Government, provided that the Government will undertake—(a) That no existing agricultural college be given a higher status than that of Lincoln. (b) That the present Lincoln diploma and degree courses will be maintained, and that the college wiP be so equipped, staffed and financed, as will ensure capacity to turn out agricultural leaders and research workers. (2) That in the opinion of this meet ing Dominion requirements in regard to higher agricultural education will be best served by the establishment of one New Zealand Agricultural College, having two branches of equal status, one in the North Island and one in the South. The following committee was appointed to confer with the Government and take such other action in the in terests of agricultural education and of Lincoln College as may be thought advisable:, —Representing the members of Parliament, Messrs Howard, Kyle. Forbes, Jones, Smith and Moore; repre senting the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, Colonel J. Studholme (Ashburton), Messrs N. M. Orbell (Timaru), W. A. Banks (Rangiora) and J. O. Coop (Canterbury); represent- , ing the Board of Governors of Lincoln College, Mr 11. A. Knight and Dr ChilMr D. Jones, M.P . was appointed convener of the committee.