GIRLS AND THE LAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 290, 6 December 1929, Page 2

GIRLS AND THE LAND

A TARANAKI PROPOSAL Some time ago it was proposed that some of the funds of the Taranaki scholarship endowment should be used for providing bursaries at Massey College for the further practical training of boys who had taken agricultural courses at school. The scheme of work suitable for such boys was approved by the secondary masters of Taranaki schools and the Massey College authorities and was forwarded to the Senate. At first it seemed possible that legislation might be required but recent letters from the Minister to Mr S. G. Smith indicate that the Senate can deal with it. So far as boys are concerned the establishment of the bursaries seems assured but the representatives of the girls have now put in a claim for consideration. They are eligible just as boys are for the bursaries, but the courses prescribed at present are not available at girls* schools and some suggestions to meet the difficulty were brought before the New Plymouth High School Board on Monday evening. The proposal put forward said: ” Owing to the urgent necessity for providing channels of occupation for Taranaki girls we urge the claim of the girls to a share of the money available from the trust funds. A very small proportion of girls can be employed in offices, in schools and in domestic service. A large proportion could not at present be absorbed into the productive life of the community.” After stressing the necessity for the training of girls to useful occupations the letter said that instruction to girls and women in certain branches of land work played a very important part in the educative systems both of Britain and America, yet New Zealand made little or no provision for such instruction. It was therefore suggested that instruction for girls in bee-keeping, poultry farming, fruit growing and market gardening be provided at Massey Agricultural College or a similar institution and that the trust money be available for the provision of bursaries for girls as well as for boys.

It was recommended that a sum of money equal or proportionate to that for boys be set aside from the Taranaki scholarship fund to provide bursaries for non-academic girls to pursue one or more of the following courses: Beck-keeping, poultry farming, fruitgrowing, market-gardening. Jhirther, that if such courses be not yet in existence, the Senate be respectfully ured to include them in the curriculum at present under consideration for the Massey College. Mr S. G. Smith then wired to Professor Peren, of the Massey College: “Is there a definite agricultural course for girls arranged for in the curriculum IDoes it include bee-keeping, poultry.farming, fruit-growing and market gardening?” Professor Peren had replied: ‘“The course includes dairy-farming, sheepfarming and will include poultry-farm-ing in the near future, but there are no facilities for fruit-growing or mar. ket-gardening. The course would be taken by girls along with the men students.” After some further discussion it was decided that a sub-committee consisting of Miss Douglas and Messrs Billing, Smith, Dolby, White, Nolan and Connett be set up to go into the question with the heads of the secondary schools in Taranaki, draw up a syllabus and forward it to the Senate for approval.