THE BATTLE OF THE SITES.

Shannon News, 18 May 1926, Page 2

THE BATTLE OF THE SITES.

CABINET ENGAGED DRAWING UP CONSTITUTION. IS SITE OF AGRICULTUHAL COLLEGE FIXED. MASTERTON, Last Night. "The battle is waging fiercer than ■ever," declared Mr T. R. Barrer at to-day's meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union, when referring to the probablesite of the Agricultural College. He reminded the -.meeting that Wairarapa had a farm of 700 acres, suitable for a college site, and an endowment of £IO,OOO had also originated here. Wairarapa had sunk its claim to have the college established here. S 0! as to expedite matters, and not to interfere with the negotiations then under way. Since then all the districts on the West Coast had raised parochial- views, and no one knew where it was going to end. The main: problem to his idea was the provision of the land, on the West Coast, and it seemed that it would have to be financed by the Government. He-certainly thought the Wairarapa farm should again be offered to Cabinet, if it would be of service. As matters stood at present/ the decision seemed as far off as ever. The Provincial president (Mr C. C. Jackson) said the fact of the Wairarapa sinking its claim, had facilitated the agreement being reached between the Auckland and Victoria Universities, to have the college on the Main Trunk Line, near the middle of the Island. If the Wairarapa'now insisted on a change, he thought they could look for trouble from Auckland who might withdraw their offer to Victoria, and thus would be created the evil of die two colleges. Mr W. B. Mathesoo (Acting Dominion President of the Union) said that as the result of an interview with members of Cabinet, he could assure the meeting that they were working along sound lines. The question of the site was at present set aside. H>e could say that it would not be in the Wairarapa. What was engaging Cab inet's attention at present was the constitution of the college. It was recognised that this was to be one of the most important educational institutions in the Dominion, and it was necessary to arrange for 1 a strong control. It\vas the natural'Hhing that a Board from the two institutions interested, should be set up, but it was thought that the leading minds of the farming community, with a fullknow-' ledge of the requirements of farming, and the students, should be well represented. To take away the control from a body and to place it in entirely new hands, required careful hand ling. Cabinet would make a pronouncement very shortly, and while they were considering these vital matters, it behoved the members interested, to be patient.