PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10691, 12 August 1912, Page 5

PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

CLAIMS OF WAIRARAPA. > ACTION BY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. At the meeting of ihc Masterton A. and P. Association. on Saturday last, Mi 1 1). McGregor, junr., asked what had been done in the matter of an Agricultural College for the Wairarapa. He understood that a committee had been set up by the Association, and he would like to know how the position stood. The chairman explained that some months ago an important conference had been held in Masterton. Delegates were present from nearly every local body in the district. A resolution was passed, urging upon the Government tho importance of extending the system of education, so that it would embrace secondary' agriculture j and suggesting the Wairarapa as a, suitble place in which to establish an agricultural college. A deputation had been appointed to wait upon the ex-minister of Agriculture, but Mr Vile, who had been invited to alt-range for the deputation, had not yet succeeded. Mr Morrison pointed out Ithat the "present Government, in its Budget, had made-provision for one agricultural college in the North Island and another in the South. He thought that, being the first, district to move in the matter, the Wairarapa had strong claims for the North Is-land-College. . ' Mr .A. H. Vile explained that he had written both the Hon Mr Mackenzie and Hon W. F. Massey on the subject of receiving the deputation. Mr Mackenzie had stated that it would be inconvenient, and the Hon. Mr Massey said he would be pleased to receive the deputation ' a little later. Mr D. McGregor, junr., suggested that an early date might be arranged upon which to interview Mr Massey. In the meantime the deputation might meet and prepare fresh data, in view of the fact that a college had been promised for each island. They should make a vigorous bid on behalf of the Wairarapa. Mr W. Perry agreed with Mr McGregor. After further discussion, it was resolved : "That this Association suggests that, in view of the altered circumstances, a further meeting of de lagat.es of local bodies be held in the Wairarapa. to discuss the question , of a deputation to the Prime Minister on the subject of an Agricuitilral Colleire for the district: that Mr A. H. Vile, as the original con- - vener. be requested to convene such meeting; also that the of Messrs W. Perry, J. Strang, and D. McGregor, jniiv., be added to the delegates representing the Association."