Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1939. WAIRARAPA COLLEGE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1939. WAIRARAPA COLLEGE.

\TQ less ambitious aim can be considered in the conduct and A ' development of Wairarapa College than that ot maki o it one of Hie greatest schools in the Dominion In the ±a ttlitul, persistent and enterprising pursuit of that J remedy best be found tor the state of affairs comp amed oi at t e a meeting of the College Parents’ Assoeiatwn-that of a of young folks from the Wairarapa being sent to ortheidbstnets to receive their post-primary education. Lingeim a thig or less traditional prejudice no doubt accounts la * practice in the extent to which it prevails, and the Parents’ Association and other agencies may seme . degree to break down the prejudice, but the full remedj i simply to develop the magnificent possibilities the school undoubtedly holds. In the end, a good school will ' the support, and the working scope to which it is entitled on its merits. The people of the Wairarapa, in town and country, would be strangely blind if they did not recognise that in \\ airarapa College they have a splendid asset, worthy of being cheiis e and built up in every possible way. With an able and astie staff, the college already is admirably provided and equipped. It is exceptionally fortunate m its excellent and roomy site and in the scale and character of its buildings am equipment. All this, however, is only a. nucleus of what the school may become as an expanding demand for instruction enables the present staffing and working organisation to be elaborated and built upon. Notable developments in visible prospect are an extension of agricultural education, under which much greater use will be made than at present of that fine property, the AVairarapa Training Farm, and provision for Maori education, there can be no doubt that increased opportunities must be ottered to Maori pupils. The demand for a hostel for girls also should win ready sympathy and support. Girl pupils are well catered for in the teaching departments of the college and the lack ol hostel accommodation for girls obviously must be k made good as soon as possible. In a district like the AVairarapa, the need for a considerable expansion of agricultural education is bound to assert itself as time goes on. ’ The present difficulties and economic disorders of agricultural industry do not diminish, but rather emphasise that need. This country, even more than others, will always be dependent to a considerable extent for general welfare and prosperity upon a well organised and conducted' agricultural industry and that implies primarily an adeqiiate educational preparation, of those who are to take up a life on the land. AVairarapa College, with the AVairarapa Training Farm in its near offing, is admirably placed to eater for educational requirements in this important category. At the annual meeting of the Parents’ Association it was shown that mitch has been done and that much remains to be done, in the development of AVairarapa College. People in. all parts of the district should be glad and proud to play their part in helping- to meet whatever demands' are raised in this way. Amidst the troubles of a disordered world, one thing of which we can be entirely sure is that efforts wisely directed to making a good school a still better- school will not be expended in vain. Although the Parents’ Association is a particularly active and enterprising body of its kind, it was mentioned at its meeting that it needs more members. A little reflection by parents who have not joined the association will convince them that they cannot better study and advance the interests of their children and those of the district than by joining without delay.