MASSEY COLLEGE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1928, Page 4

MASSEY COLLEGE

THE OPENING CEREMONY. PALMERSTON N„ .'March 20. 11 I. open tin’s college with a linn conviction that it will honour the great man whose name it hears, and that it. will he a continual and immense henetit to the whole tanning community of the Dominion.” With these words, Mr O. .J. Hawken formally opened the Massey Agricultural College this afternoon before a large gathering of farmers and citizens. The ceremony was perlormed in front of the old Bachelor homestead, which now serves as the temporary offices of tiie college, and associated with the Minister on the pint-form were members of the College Council, the Mayor (Mr J. A. Graham), the college professors, and Mr J. A. Nash, M.P. The Hon. Mr Eowkls, chairman of the College Council, presided. Prior to- introducing the several speakers, Mr Fowlds, ill a brief actdress, said that the official opening of the college marked an epoch in the history of the Dominion. In his opinion, it ought to have been opened at least 20 years ago. hut the difficulty had heen : (I; Lack of any developed sense |in the community of the need for viu-li an institution; (2) the acute provincial jealousies existing at the time; (,‘f) the ever present lack of money on the part of the Government, a chronic condition with all Governments. Taking the first of these reasons. he said .Mr Hawken could tel! of his surprise and regret at the indilforonce and even opposition of many people who ought to know better to the etsablishment of the college. Even at the present time, that indifference and opposition was much more acute than it was about 20 years ago. •• I believe it will stand out for all time to the credit of the present Prime Minister and his colleagues that they possessed the vision and the courage to bring into existence the Massey Agricultural College,” added the speaker. To him one very pleasing feature in connexion with the establishment of the college was the coming together of the Auckland and Wellington University Colleges, by which alone the establishment of the college was made possible. (Applause.) lie trusted that the harmonious co-opera-tion of the two College Councils in this undertaking would ultimately lead to the still closer union of these two institutions. A CENTRE OF KNOWLEDGE. Mr Hawken said lie appreciated being associated with the men who had done good work for many years in agricultural matters. The fight lor the college in the House had heen a strong one, and many times he lelt discouraged. However, the Government was behind the present institution, and the funds necessary for its working would he available. “ I am not going to say that T will shovel it out,.” he added amidst laughter, “ but the money is there.” The (lovoninicnt knew perfectly well the value of agricultural education, and they had the interests of the farming community at heart. There had heen opposition from those who did not understand the uses to which the college could he put. New Zealand was a new country, and farmers did not have full knowledge of the handling of the land : in fact, a great many never had heen farmers before taking up sections. Ihe college would ho the centre from which would radiate farming knowledge and would justify itself in ;i way very lew approeiated at the present time. Not only would il turn out those who would take a lending part in higher education, hut also experts who were badly needed in New Zealand to-day. The Department had gone a great deal to try to help the farmer and render a service to him by sending out experts to instruct him. That work had been a suecess, but it could he improved and enlarged upon. The college would turn out experts who would he of great assistance to the Department, while there were other spheres ot work to he taken up. not only in New Zealand, but in other countries. Ho liked to see New Zealand’s educated men going overseas, as it increased the reputation of the Dominion. Not only would the academic side ol tanning ho dealt with at the college, hut instruction would also he given in everyday farming operations, and he hoped in that respect that fanners would send tlieir employees along to gain that know ledge. ’Hie college would not fulfil its function properly unless the womenfolk were included. The Minister said lie could not subscribe to the statement that the college would not pay, and lie could not understand anyone holding such an oldfashioned idea.