PAROCHIALISM PREVENTS PROGRESS.

Shannon News, 6 February 1925, Page 3

PAROCHIALISM PREVENTS PROGRESS.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION HAIM- ■ PERED. j PROFESSOR PEREN HITS OUT. j MASTERTON, February 4. ' With a view to interesting the farm, ing and commercial community in agricultural education and steps that ' are being taken to establish a college for that purpose, Professor G-. S. 1 Peren, recently appointed to the ProI fessorship of Agriculture in Victoria j University College, addressed a meeting under the auspices of the Waira. rapa Farmers’ Union. After outlining the scheme and the courses they proposed to follow Pro. fessor Peren expressed the hope time the various districts would drop their parochialism and take a broad view of the subject, thereby assisting in the establishment of one good wellequipped and well-staffed college which would serve the needs of whole Dominion better than a number of half.starved shows established merely to satisfy local clamour. The progress report concerning the chair of agriculture was very disappointing and had not advanced one step since the speaker had arrived in the country seven months ago. The time was ripe now for cooperative action by farmers. In reply to a question regarding the appointment of a professor at Auckland the speaker stated that he had told the Aucklanders to appoint a professor under their bequest by all means, but to put them both In the same institution and then they could do some good. Hawera, Canterbury and Otago had all asked for grants for similar purposes, but when it took over £40,000 to establish one college decently it would be seen that the ex. pense of establishing a number of small shows would be enormous. On the other hand colossal amount was being handed out to primary and secondary education while the only phase of education which earned its bread and butter was being neglected. Mr. D. Smith moved the following resolution: “That this meeting of farmers and commercial men submit to the ‘Ministers of Lands, Agriculture and Education a request that the ,queo., tion of an agricultural college which seems to be hanging fire may be set on its feet at once by the immediate establishment, of one college planned to serve the Dominion as a whole m the best way possible.” Mr. L. T. Daniell, who seconded, said they had been advised to drop parochialism, yet while other districts applied for grants and pulled the strings Wairararapa had sat quiet and trusted to get good treatment. Professor Peren was keen to work and they should give him every opportunity of going ahead. Mr. H. M. Boddington mentioned that Auckland’s bequest was ten time s as large and Hawke’s Bay’s fifteen times as large as Wairarapn's bequest and contended that Waira: upa would have to bow to the Government if others brought along a belter scheme. He suggested a confei'ence of Waira. rapa, Hawke’s Bay and An klnnd authorities to try and arrive at an affable settlement and then allow the Government to proceed with the worx.

Replying 1 to the last speaker. the, chairman said Sir Walter Buchanan’s deed of gift provided for money to go to the establishment of a college in New Zealand. It did, however, express a hope concerning the site. In answer to Mr. Daniell, M l ‘. Mathe. son said that the Professor appointed to Victoria College could oe removed to Auckland if the college was built there. Mr. P. M. Compton considered that the discussion was not tending - to hetp the Government. He thought they

should place their views before the Ministers concerned. It was decided that a deputation accompany the above letter.