AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 23 November 1912, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

ADDRESS BY REV A. T, THOMPSON.

At the conclusion of the publ.c meeting held in the Masterton Town Hull last evening on Trust affair*, the Rev A. T. Tolimpson addresseJ those present- on matters relating to the proposed Agricultural High Schorl in Masterton.

Mr Thompson said that he wa; there that evening as the represent.! tivo of tho High School TCstablishmer fc Committee, and for the purposo it' explaining certain matters which ha'", .ately been taken up in opposition to the movement, lie was present purely and solely in the interests of the people, in the interests of the children, and in tho interests of education. Ho was suro that everyone present was already convinced of the value of education, and ho was also suro that they were alive to tho benefits to be derived for the community from the establishment of a High Schocl of an: Agricultural High School. He wished to clear several points which had been brought forward in opposition to the movement. Tho people wore made to believe that the proposed High School would not bo a free placo school, and would merely be a "class" institution. He would give those statements the lio direct. There were, he said, only three really and properly termed "class" institutions in the Dominion, two in Wanganui and one in Christ-church. All the other colleges and high schools provided for free place pupils. The disestablishment of district high schools, in favour of high schools, would open the doors to all free place pupils. The statements against the establishing of a high school tended to miV lead tho public.

Mr Thompson proceeded to quote figures in support of his contentions in reference to free place schools, and -said that he believed the time was not far distant when all schools in New Zealand would mako provision for free place pupils. Masterton need have nothing to fear in regard to the High School, as .with the assistance which might be gained from the Trust Lands Tnu't. their school would be much better off than many similar institutions- in tho Dominion. Masterton, ho said, was now on tho same level as many second-rate towns and villages! which were provided with district high schools. There was no advancement made in Masterton in education matters. Ho wanted to see better institutions, and to get this tho people must- "get moving." Under present, conditions', a boy or girl possessed of brains was handicapped in various ways. Tho establishment of a High School would alter all this, aiui tho public of Masitcrton should strive toward,s th,is end.