SUGGESTED AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12256, 2 July 1909, Page 5

SUGGESTED AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

A QUESTION OF CAPITATION

WELLINGTON, July 1

At the Technical Education Conference Mr George George moved—" That the Conference noted with approval the increased capitation paid for pupils taking agricultural courses in District High Schools, but in view of the fact that agriculture is. the most "important industry in this Dominion, the Minister be urged to authorise the 'establishment* of Agricultural Technical Schools in suitable country centres."

The matter was, he said, a most important one to the Dominion. He instanced what had been done in other countries, and the success which had followed the establishment of such schools. Yet there was not one such school in New Zealand. If they Avere established the pupils receiving education there would get a bias to follow rural occupations instead of making fowards the cities for employment. The schools would also be of immense useto tho farmers in the localities in wliicb. they were established.

Mr Opie supported tho motion. The ignorance amongst farmers and their sons was lamentable. New Zealand <vas a. farming community, and no motion was worthy of more support than the one before the meeting.

Replying to Mr Brown; Mr Geor^j George said the proposed schools wouLi bo on the same plane as day Technical Schools and District High Schools. Mr A. A. Huntz agreed that.further facilities should be provided for imparting instruction in agriculture. The Chairman said that probably one school would be wanted, in each province at first. ......

Mr Grant thought ■ .-the District High Schools would meet what was wanted.

The Chairman pointed out why this was not so.

The motion was carried by 3 voces to 2.

It was decided to recommend Coar'ls to place before the Department ihe particulars of capitation paid in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and to urge strongly that, in view of the lrighe; cost of administration in the Dominion, and the recent improvement'in the status of teachers in other branches,"it is imperative that the present low rate of capitation should be considerably increased, and brought more into lino .with that granted in other countries. Further, it should be pointed, out thf.t the capitation paid in the case cf Ireland, Scotland, and England is not the whola source of revenue, which is drawn largely from local rates. :-'>-;^ It was also decided that it'be a recommendation to the*-Department to grant technical rates cf capitation on all subjects taken, with a view to the matriculation examination. '

It was decided to recommend the Department to make some provision for the maintenance and upkeep of Techni cal School buildings on a definite basis.