LANGUAGES NOT WANTED

Shannon News, 7 December 1928, Page 4

LANGUAGES NOT WANTED

NO GOOD FOR FARMERS’ SONS , Criticism of the conditions a( pres tint obtaining for the matriculation examination from the point; of view of farmers’ sous, in that a 7 language or languages were compulsory, was made at the monthly meeting of the pro vincial executive of the South Tara itaki branch .of the Farmers ’ Union ;at HaWera last week. It Avas considered that languages should be made optional and that agricultural science should be allowed to replace the languages if the matriculation student so destred. That languages were of little use to farmers’ sdns Avas the opinion expressed, and a resolution to the effect mentioned Avas passed. They should endeavour to get the University Senate to agree to grant admission to university of any student who had passed a certain examination in agricultural science, Avliich lie might have taken in lieu of lan guages, contended Mr. J. Cocker. It was not a fair thing that an agriculturist should have to study languages in order to get his matriculation. Such was a difficult undertaking, for it was not common to find agricultural and linguistic tendencies in the same person. Foreign languages Avere not necessary in New Zealand. Referring to agricultural, bursaries, Mr.. Cocker said they were much lower than academic ones. As n resuit, parents wore tempted to go for the academic ones. There was a movomeut afoot to get something more praeticn 1 as an agricultural bursary for /Tata.naki boys and girls. A lot of time Wqs wasted in learning languages and, ;u 97 per cent, of the Dominion ’s expot# came off the lapd, agrifculture shoss be fostered. .

“Our education is too much up in the air,” said Mr. Cockef. Those.Jn charge wore not sufficiently practicable. As an instance, the work in tlic manual schools coulfi bo jj|proved. . Mr. F.-Aroa considered a French and Latin was necessary. M«p;i uni work in the schools was, be not practicable. 1