OUR FUTURE FARMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 57, 28 July 1914, Page 7

OUR FUTURE FARMERS.

THEIR TRAINING. DEBATE AT FARMERS' UXIO.NT. "Education has to fit a boy for his future, and we are spending a lot of money unwisely," said Mr W. B. Matlieson, of Eketahuna, at the Farmers' Union Conference last week. "In our high schools we are aggravating the differences between capital and labor. Very many of our boys must be brought up to an agricultural life if this country is to prosper. The Government," he added, "should erect a high school in every district, and I move:—

"That this conference urges the Minister of Lands, the Minister of Education, and the Board of Agriculture to consider the immediate establishment of an. Agricultural High School in each province, as one of the most urgent needs of the Dominion."

Mr Hugh Morrison (Masterton) approved of the motion. He said that from the high shools a boy should have a chance of going on to an up-to-date training farm, run on economic lines, to take up any branch of agriculture under good teachers. Mr. P. Meehan (Marlborough) opposed the motion, beause he thought the cry for education had been ridden to death, and that what, was really necessary was to teach children the battle of life under practical farmers. He knew men who had no education, but had retired worth large sums of money. Mr. H. J. Richards (Levin) remarked that what was now suggested was what the president of the union (Mr. J. G. Wilson) had advocated for years. To tetter tlie means of agricultural education was one of the tilings nearest to Mr. Wilson's heart.

Major Lusk (Auckland) moved as an amendment: —"That in every high school there should be established an agricultural branch, where all the elements of agricultural education should be taught by competent teachers." The mover considered that this would be easier to get. After some further discussion, Mr. Matheson again spoke in advocacy of his motion. "We must train our boys," he said, "to the life which is of necessity theirs—the country life. Teach boys the charm of country life, and make tliem into better men than they otherwise would be."

A vote was then taken, and the result was that the amendment was carried !>v 13 to 9.

"Good Lord," ejaculated Mr Matheson, "that is exactly what we have already. I hope the Press will dub it into YOU."