PRESIDENTS ADDRESS — SECTION K. 249 



correspond to the requirements of the times. The progress! veness 

 of any district can usually be assessed by the extent to M^hich its 

 average practice approaches more or less to' that of the most success- 

 ful men in the district, who may be looked upon as the local torch- 

 bearers. Experience shows, too-, that those are most sensitive to 

 the promptings of progress whose education outlook is broadest ; 

 and whilst it must be admitted that the technically trained are no 

 more exempt from failure than others, it may safely be assumed 

 that, for the most part, their local influence will be in the direction 

 of progress rather than of reaction. That this is so, has frequently 

 come rmder my notice in various parts of South Australia. Hence, 

 I submit that, whilst for the bulk of our rural workers special tech- 

 nical training, as distinct from home training, is neither necessary, 

 nor, indeed, possible, from the State view-point, the existence of 

 institutions in which this training is imparted is amply justified 

 so long as they can succeeed in attracting a sufiiciency of those 

 who, by precept and example, are able in later life to influence 

 their districts for gocd. For the latter the task will be very much 

 viiiiplified wherever they have the assistance of local associations of 

 agriculturists for mutual self-improvement, such as the agricul- 

 tural bxireau system so successfully practised in South Australia 

 for the past thirty-three years. 



These remarks refer mainly to the sons of agriculturists who 

 are able to take advantage of special technical training, and their 

 leavening and irissionary work is of sufficient national importance 

 to justify the , existence of agricultural colleges. We must not, 

 however, overlook the claims of those city families who contributed 

 students in the proportion of 65 per cent. On consideration, it 

 will perhaps be found that this contribution aloue affords ample 

 independent justification for the existence of these colleges We' 

 hear on all sides the emigration of country units to the cities deeply 

 deplored; but little or nothing is said of the counter current from 

 the cities toward-^ the country. And yet its direct and indirect 

 inliuenoe on the development of the country is incalculable. It 

 brings with it, as a rule, the investment of new capital in rural 

 ventures; the infustion into them of the spirit and enthusiasm of 

 the neophyte; the introduction of city business methods and entei-- 

 prise, and the breaking down of social barriers between town and 

 country. All this is clearly to the good, and much to the advan- 

 tage of the country, and, incidentally, of the State. It is, there- 

 fore, no exaggeration to affirm that it is not possible that 

 endeavours to attract city bred lads to the country should be over- 

 done. Many, it is true^ will, when they can, first seek to serve 

 an apprenticeship on a well conducted private farm ; others, less 

 wise in spite of maturer years, are prepared to go on the land fresh 

 from the counter. The latter may, and often do, eventually make 

 good ; but usually at what expense of time and money in the quest 

 of personal experience! More sound and certain, however, is the 



