THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1912. AN UNVARNISHED STATEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10716, 23 September 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1912. AN UNVARNISHED STATEMENT.

In another part cf this issue we give a clear and unvarnished statement of the progress of the movement in favour of secondary agricultural instruction in tho Wairarapa, from its inception until tho present day. It lias been necessary to make this statement, not for purposes of self-ag-grandisement, but to demonstrate to the public tho impudent manner in which certain Esaus of the community (we employ the term Esau in its least offensive sense) are arrogating to themselves a birthright which does not belong to them, and to enable tho public to protect itself against being side-tracked. The statement will doubtless cause a flutter in tho dovecot, and a dexterous attempt will bo mado to extricate those concerned from the dilemma in which they find themselves. But no twisting, or t-urning, or wriggling can convert black into white; and no elegance of diction on the part of special pleaders will bo able to remove the suspicion that a glaring attempt had been l made to appropriate a scheme which properly belongs to others. But, as we have shown, this attempt is not only clumsy—it is manifestly made with tho object of side-tracking the issue. Tho fact is plain and indisputable that Messrs Daniell and Jackson were the first to advocate the provision of secondary agricultural instruction' in this district. The' fact is equally indisputable that the first juvictical step in the direction of supplying the long-felt want was made twelve months ago, and that it has been followed up by the local bodies interested until to-day. Thero is not a shadow oT doubt that this paper has consistently and persistently advocated tho establishment of secondary agricultural instruction in the district, and that it has strenuously opposed any attempt to substitute a High School (which is not required) for an Agricultural High School. A few days back we were hopeful that the body of citizens who called themselves 'th« "High School Establishment Committee" had .fallen into line with popular opinion, and we were glad to hare them seconding the efforts of those who are out for an agricultural high school. Bui' apparently these hopes are to be shattered, and the Association which wa» f.ovmtd to promoU th* interest* of

an agricultural high school is going J to devote itself, in the iiret instance, to the provision of a High School proper. The Chairman of the "Agricultural High School Committee" states unequivocally tint the Education j Board is to be asked to disestablish j the District High School in the meantime in favour of a High School. That means that an attempt is to be made to rob tho children of the district of the agricultural course provided at the District High School. Wo need hardly say that this insidious -J movement to d»pr:ve the children 01 1 the little agricultural instruction they J now receive will be strenuously resisted. It will bo fought to the bitter end. Hut. who. may wo ask, instructed the "Agricultural High School Committee" to move in tho direction of disestablishing the District High School in favour of a High School ? The meeting of delegites gave no I such instruction. The Association formed by that meeting has not been asked to express an opinion on the subject. No! Tho whole transparent business is being worked by a coterie of people, who are either designing to rob the district of what little agricultural instruction is possesses, or are incapable of measuring approximately the. result of their hasty and ill-advis-e dactions. But the coterie can depend upon it that neither tho Education Board nor tho Government would conntenar.ee such a retrograde step as that proposed. If the "Agricultural High School Establishment Committee" is honestly desirous of furthering the object it is sought to attain, it will strive to secure the legal power for the establishment of an agricultural high school. Until that power is obtained, not a brick in the foundation of the District High School shall be touched. Not an inch of tho agricultural ground shall bo surrendered. Who knows that agricultural high schools will ever com© to pass in . this Dominion Pls it likely that the (Education Board would pernr t the disestablishment of a District High School with an agricultural course (which may provide students for the agricultural college) for a High School without such a course 0 The suggestion is too monstrous for vords, too absurd for serious consideration.