AGRICULTURE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4814, 23 February 1925, Page 4

AGRICULTURE.

PROVISION OF COLLEGE.

BOARD TO INVESTIGATE. The Government announces that the Board of Agriculture has been asked to undertake a full inquiry into all phases of agricultural instruction in New Zealand. The Minister of . Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) has issued the following statement: — “The Government has given further consideration to the general question of agricultural, instruction, including the provision of further insti actional facilities of the type which would be afforded by an agricultural college equipped and conducted on modem lines. “In view of the fact that various sums of money have been given for the purposes of agricultural instruction. and that these gifts have emanated from different parts of the Dominion the question of their utilisation, on lines that will ensure that the best results to the Dominion as & whole are obtained, is one requiring much thought and careful inquiry. In addition to the question of what further educational facilities are required. there is also the matter of bringing Lincoln College into whatever scheme is finally adopted. “Having regard to the whole facts of the position, .as it . exists at the present time, it has been decided to ask the Board of Agriculture if it will undertake a full inquiry into every phase of the question, obtain evidence from gentlemen in various parts of the. Dominion who will be able to give useful information and offer useful suggestions, and to go generally into the matter from all points of view, .with the object afterwards of reporting to the Government and submitting recommendations as to the line of action which should be adopted. In this inquiry it is proposed to associate with the board two responsible Government officers, representing the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, respectively, and I feel confident that, with the experience possessed by the. members of the board, the knowledge that they have already gathered regarding agricultural education generally, and their intimate acquaintance with all matters bearing on the agricultural and pastoral industries, they are exceptionally well fitted to conduct an inquiry of this nature and to advise the Government as to the best course to adopt in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. “While speaking of this matter of agricultural education I should like to take the opportunity of expressing my great appreciation of the generous action of Professor J. Macmillan Brown, Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, in offering the University Senate £2OOO for the purpose of establishing scholarships on agriculture. This generous action of the chancellor must prove of material assistance in furthering the advancement of agricultural science in the Dominion.

“The Board of Agriculture is well representative of all parts of the dominion the individual members being: Sir'James WilsQn, Bulls, president ; Messrs E. Averill, Hastings ; W. B. Grant, New Plymouth ; E. Hall, Ondumga ; D. Marshall, Southland ; J. H. Perritt, Sanson; AV. Perry, Masterton ; D. W. Westenra, Dilnsandel , J. Begg, Dunedin ; E.'D. McLennan,’ Papakura; C. L. Marshall, Marton ; W. D. Pike, Blenheim. “The president of the board has been communicated with, and it is anticipated that the inquiry will be commenced at a very early date.’’