FARMER OBJECTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20361, 19 July 1934, Page 4

FARMER OBJECTS.

Extensions to Sydney Library.

“ENCOURAGE THE DRIFT.” (Special to the “ Star.”) SYDNEY, July 11. A few weeks ago the writer discussed the proposal to expend £150,000 in enlarging the Sydney Public Library, and gave a number of particulars to indicate how urgently this extension is required. Last week the Minister of Education submitted his proposals to Parliament, and both sides of the House heartily supported them. Some of the Langites were a little dubious, till they received' an assurance that the new buildings were to be constructed “unde; award rates and conditions.”

But the only dissentient voice was raised, not by Labour members, but by Mr. Wade, who represents the rural constituency of Barwon. Mr. Wade objected first that the money could be better spent on reproductive works in the country, and said that the erection of such buildings on a lavish scale “would encourage the drift from the country to the city.” As regards the purpose of such expenditure, it clearly has a high educational value, and several of our newspapers reminded Mr. Wade that tbc Sydney Public Library circulates and distributes largo numbers of informative books in all the rural districts throughout the State—more especially technical works 6uch as intelligent and up-to-date farmers need. As to “the drift to the cities,” poor Mr. Wade has brought down a torrent of ridicule on his head with his unpopular suggestion. The “Sun” rather neatly remarked that though the drift to the cities “has worried the statesmen of all the centuries from the ancient Romans downward, “bo far nobody, from Cato the Censor up to the present day, has suggested that the young countryman forsakes his paternal acres for the purpose of browsing in the public library” —though it adds as an afterthought that “public houses” 'of another description have sometimes been mentioned in this connection.

Criticism such as Mr. Wade’s is not to be taken too seriously. But the fact remains that these arguments were actually advanced in all earnestness, as reasons against the expenditure of more public money on a great city library which now finds its activities almost paralysed and its value to the general public heavily discounted by 6heer lack of room.

The bare fact that the Sydney Refer ence Library will seat only about lot people—while Melbourne seats 600 students, and even Adelaide 250 at a time —should be enough to satisfy most people. But though these objections do little credit to Mr. Wade’s intelligence, they illustrate aptly enough the shortsighted and parochial attitude adopted by too many of our country members when dealing with the problems ol public expenditure, if it does not appear to benefit their own districts directly and materially.