AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1926, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

-MINISTER. EMPHATIC

WELLINGTON, January 12.

A newspaper reference to the unsettled question of an adequate agricultural university college for New Zealand, and a suggestion that the Minister of Education and Alinister of Agriculture should place this subject on their list of New Year resolutions was brought under the notice of Sir James Parr by a representative of the “ Lyttelton Times.” who found that the Minister; is keen to see the matter brought to a practical point. Sir James Parr is emphatic that there should he a central agricultural university, that the resources of the Dominion will not enable the necessary high standard to he attained without concentration, and that the matter is now one for the authorities to settle. AVe have obtained the very best advice on this subject,” remarked Sir James. “Sir Harry Reiehel. Chancellor of the University of Bangor, where agricultural education is strongly emphasised, and Mr Frank Tate, Director of Education in Victorin, are emphatically of opinion that a central agricultural college of university standard should be established in the North Island in the country. Afr Tate has given special attention to the subject, and spent there months in Denmark studying the successful system in that country, and he has written a brochure on the matter. AVe should follow their report, which declares that there is only room for one institution of the kind in this country of university standing, because in the first place there is only the need for one and there is certainly only money for one. lam satisfied. therefore, that we have to sink any provincial difference in order to make a proper beginning with agricultural education, providing an institution which will set a high standard, influencing the subject right down through high schools and technical schools to primary schools.” THE AI ONE Y REQUIRED.

“ To the average farmer,” eontinuod Sir James Parr, “the idea of a high university standard may seem strange, but in all other progressive countries this plan is accepted without question. Agriculture is our oldest art, but it is by 110 means stationary. Science call be applied more and more. Research is necessary. Increased prosperity for the industry can come only through improved methods of production, not high prices. Experts who have advised 11s say that the needs of New Zealand can best be met by an institution in the North Island, centrally situated, which I take it. means somewhere between Auckland and Wellington, and that the North Island university colleges should pool their resources, including the Logan Campbell Endowment to Auckland University and the Buchanan Endowment to Victoria College. The colleges should also pool their academic resources and concentrate on wellequipped institutions, which will lie well financed. Such a college will require £40,000 to £OO,OOO for initial capital expenditure 011 buildings and equipment, and it could not be adequately maintained for a smaller cost than £IO,OOO to £12,000 per annum, a sum beyond the resources of any single college council. This, f think, is being realised by them, and I am very glad to hear that Ihe university councils of Auckland and Wellington have commenced io discuss the possibility of cooperating in the matter. I fervently hope they "ill come io an agreement on |.|ie lines suggested by the reports, {.lie result of which will, 1 trust, enable the Government to push 011 with thisvital essential of the agricultural education of a proper standard. “Once established 1 believe a central agricultural university college with its hostels for students will develop into a rurar university, where teachers may be trained under more natural and suitable surroundings than in a city, ft will lead to a greater appreciation of country life and a lessening of the general demand for a position in some city school. I know that the Prime .Minister is fully seized of the extreme importance to the agricultural and pastoral interests of this country of establishing p.n. agricultural college of n higher type as soon as possible. T.ol the University settle its difference and T am confident that the Prime ATinistor and the Government will do their bit without delay.” The Alinister was asked how this development would affect the existing Lincoln Agricultural College in Canterbury. lie replied that he realised fully j ils capacity for doing valuable work, and it should ho raised to university I standard.