COLLEGE LAND TRAINING

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21042, 19 February 1940, Page 6

COLLEGE LAND TRAINING

Another contribution to the many schemes put forward for the solution of the problem of settling more young men on the land has been made by Professor E. R. Hudson, the director, to the governing body of Canterbury Agricultural College. The scheme is still very sketchy and there are many gaps to be filled in before it can be put into practice, but since the aim is of much importance to New Zealand the plan is worth close consideration. Adoption of Mr Hudson’s report indicates that the college authorities will investigate the matter further and endeavour to reduce the scheme to practical terms. Briefly, Mr Hudson’s plan would provide “a large number of bursaries” for youths who have practically demonstrated their fitness for an agricultural career. He would send them on, after training, for a further period of practical experience under “competent farmers approved for the purpose.” Finally, those who could be recommended, after training and test in this form, should be given specially liberal financial aid to establish themselves on farms. Three of the problems to be faced are to devise a suitable method of selecting the candidates, finding places for them with “approved practical farmers” and then, most difficult of all, deciding what land the young men should occupy and the means of financing it. Admittedly, at the present time the contributions of the agricultural colleges to the training of expert farmers is to some extent wasted for the reason than many highly trained men find themselves up against a blank wall when they attempt to secure land upon which to exploit their knowledge. If they are to be provided with land, where is it to be found ? Should they be placed on undeveloped areas or should developed properties be purchased or leased for them ? And when the land is found, by whom, and on what terms, is the finance to be provided ? Again, is it feasible to grant specially favourable terms to young men who have had the advantage of college training against those who have learned only in the school of experience ? These are some of the difficulties through which the college governing body will perhaps attempt to cleave a way.