SCHOOL OF FORESTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20329, 12 June 1934, Page 7

SCHOOL OF FORESTRY.

Strong Protest Against Discontinuance.

On the ground that forestry work and plantation management are of the greatest importance to the farming industry of New Zealand, the Board of Governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College this morning passed a motion protesting against the closing of the School of Forestry.

How will the closing of the .school affect us? ” asked Mr W. A. Ranks, who introduced the subject. “ Can we make no protest? One of the lecturers, Mr Lewis Morrison, also lectures here. It is going to be a very serious matter if the services of men like Mr Morrison are going to be wasted. It is certainly up to us to protest.”

Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., said that the Government might be able to retain Mr Morrison’s services.

Dr 11. G. Denham, the. chairman, said that Mr Morrison lectured at Canterbury College as well. His subjects were entomology and zoology. His position was at present sub judice. “In New Zealand,” said Dr Denham, “ we have forestry assets amounting to £15,000,000. Surely a highly qualified man can be of the greatest value.” Mr John Deans said that in the forestry service there w r as a certain amount of jealousy between the trained men and the “ promoted labourers.’’ “ Look at the thousands spent on the training of lawyers,” said Mr Banks, “ while for this practical and valuable subject there is nothing.”

Finally, on Mr Banks’s motion, it was decided that, in view of the importance of plantation management to the farming industry in New Zealand, the board should protest against the closing of the School of Forestry, and express the hope that every effort would be made to continue the school.