Sir W. Hart-Dyke's Address 247 



President of the Council in his excellent address at 

 our opening ceremony. This is in itself a great in- 

 centive to us for further efforts and exertions on 

 behalf of a movement which we believe capable of 

 most beneficent results, and these conferences have 

 brought together the best of our educational en- 

 thusiasts, whether representatives of county councils, 

 teachers, and others, to confer together and give the 

 benefit of their experience in laying the foundation 

 for future success. Secondly, we have by reason of 

 these many discussions given a clear insight as to our 

 motives, our aspirations, and policy for the considera- 

 tion of our fellow-countrymen. We have through the 

 medium of this exhibition urged upon them in the 

 most practical manner that our system of teaching in 

 rural schools has been faulty in the past; that whilst 

 we fully recognize the necessity of book-learning up 

 to a certain standard, we must cease to deny to the 

 rural youth of this country an insight into the delight- 

 ful mysteries of Nature and all that surrounds country 

 life. 



One question is of vital importance to us, and that 

 is, Who are to be our future masters for good and all 

 — the Board of Agriculture or that of Education? 

 Which body is to superintend and encourage our 

 different organizations in each county in the future.^ 

 At present when we go beyond the elementary schools 

 we find only spasmodic efforts as regards agricultural 

 education. The establishment of agricultural schools 

 of a secondary type should surely be tried more 

 extensively. Our agriculturists are beginning to wake 

 up to the necessity of a more scientific training, if we 

 are to compete with low prices and the fast-extend- 



