THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1912. THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10703, 26 August 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1912. THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The deputation which waited upon the Minister of Agriculture en Saturday last made out a <stt\:ng case for the establishment of the proposed Agricultural College in the Wairarapa. The fact that this district was the first in 'the Dominion to advocate the proVision, of such an institution, and that its settlers are enthusiastic in tho matter, should have an important ;n----flucnce in determining the question of site. The claim put in by Palmerston North may have something to reeoipmeiul it on account of. position. But it is well to remember that there are considerations far more important that that of locality. It matters very little, so far as students are concerned ( where the College is situated, provided that it is. reasonably accessible. Can it he urged for a moment that the Wairarapa is not accessible? Tt h within easy reach of the seat rf Parliament and the administrative Department. It is convenient to' the Wellington Training 'Coll. go. I'.r.-ii which a number of students v-r • he expected. It is in close proximity to the Wallaceville Laboratory, where valuable research work is undertaken. And it is readily accessible to the. northern portion of tho South Island, from whence a considerable number of (students would he drawn. But, as we have already said, the question of locality is of minor importance. What is really required to secure the best results from an institution of the nature proposed is a variety of soil and of rural puraiits. Is there any other district in the Dominion that can offer the advantages possessed by the Wairarapa in this connection? As Mr D. McGregor , well pointed out in his remarks on Saturday, we can offer practical as well as theoretical instruction in all branches of pastoral and agricultural in-; duslry. The handling of stud stock\ tho testing of cows, the growing of fruit, up-to-date dairy farming, beekeeping, poultry-raising, cereal-grow-ing, meat freezing—these are all practised on scientific lines in this district. Students nt a College in the Wairarapa would thus be brought into close contact with tho practical work of experienced farmers. Tt 's satisfactory to know that the Hon. I Mr Massey intends personally investigating the claims of each district before arriving at a decision* There is j reason to hope, from the remarks (

made by Mr W. C. Buchanan at the conclusion of the interview with the Minister on Saturday, that one or two of .our wealthy settlers will make an offer of financial assistance. Mr Buchanan has already been most liberal in his benefactions. And if he I now in co-operation with other settlers, renders Mich fin nioial assistance ns will pinpe-the.quef'tion. of the Agricultural College beyond dispute, he will .have earned ;the ; cverhvsting gra- . tftuclo; of the people'and have established amonumorit -winch would stand jfor all time to the memory of a worthy ;c:tizeii'-aiul-a sterling settler.-