THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1911. AN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10438, 2 October 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1911. AN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

The enthusiasm, which is ibeing manifested in the proposal to establish an agricultural .school in the Wairarapa is at once a recognition of the. importance of isuoh an unde.rtia.king. Every man who is identified With the 'primary 'industries,- and who knows tli© important 'beaming they will have upon the (future of the Dominion, will admit the necessity for bringing our leducational institutions into line with those of other countries. It As almost a reproach upon the Legislature of Niew Zealand that we. should be so far behind the* United States, and Japan,- and even the Common wealth of Australia in this matter. In recent years, thousands of pounds, have (been expended in providing academic education in ■ (secondary 'schools and Universities. Thousands have been spent in imparting education in the handicrafts!, through the medium of our Technical Schools. But when we come to the great industries pertain- | ing to the soil, the industries upon which depends the very existence, of the Dominion, we find that there is

practically .nothing being done in the way of education. It .is true that, at our District Higli Schools, we have what is termed an "agricultural course." This, however, only serves to demonstrate the aiieoessity for something more. A striking anomaly about the system' is that it serves as an introduction to the University, whore Lawyers, and doctors, and professional men are manufactured, while it does nothing to create scientific farm-ens, or to .widen the scope of knowledge of those who are destined for rural pursuits. .Does it .seem right or just that money should be lavished on scholarships for secondary and technical education, whilst the science of Agriculture is absolutey neglected ? In the Wairarapa arid Forty-Mile Bush districts there are thousands of moifs of educational leierves, the revenues from whicii arr-

devoted entirely to the higher forms of academic /education. Why ihould not a portion of this revenue lie devoted to practical daiist.ru otion ; n scientific agriculture? Why shoulu not .scholarships hie (available for an agricultural school? The Welling on Eduoation Board, recognising tjie weakness of the present .system, has iset aip a committee to 'confer with tile agricultural hodies! of the Wmr.irapa, with a view to (submitting a proposal to the 'Government. The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. T. Maokenziac) has stated that, if returned again to office, he will do i&omething tangible for agriculture. What better service could he do than provide and equip a, certain number of agricultural schools? And what district is there in. the Dom Yon that is (better .adapted foir such a school than the Wairarapa? Hero we have farming of every deseripti >:. •••

dairying, fruit-growing, cereal cultivation, and sheep4),reedinig. The climate and 'Soil are eminently suited to mixed farming. We .are also in the unique, position of possessing cdi' • cation .reserves and endowments, vigorous agricultural' and pastoral institutions, and scores of settlers' s-'-tis are -waiting to bo ta.uglit the rudiments of agriculture. If these facts are presented to the Government—and they ,sliould he presented with as little delay as possible—the. claims for an agricultural (school for the Wairarapa should toe irresistible.