THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1639, 18 August 1887, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

MR PURNELL AT METHVEN.

Mr Ptirnell addressed a large meeting of the Aahburton- electors at Methven Sohoolh'-uie yesterday evening, J\£r J Jaokson occupied the chair, Mr Purnell, who was well received, m the oourae of his speeoh dwelt at oonsideroble length upon the aubj aot of Eduoatlon. He asld that Mr Walker had very unjustly oharged him with proposing to destroy our Educational system He (M* Pnrnall) hod devoted his Ife to Intel leotuai pursuits, and oould he be otherwise than a trarrn friend of Education, both primary and secondary 1 What he wanted to do was to strengthen and jnslify our Educational system, first by effecting bu:h retrenchment m its oost as would, without injuring its efficiency, bring it within tho pecuniary means of tho colony, and secondly, by gradually introducing euoh reaaonable changes m the syatem as would, to some extent et auy rate, meet the several objections raised to it by large classes of the community. He admitttd that m the rural districts the Government had no option but to undertake the entire work of Education Itself, but m the towns and cities if moderate grantsin-ald were I ({lven to private schools, tha effect would be to drew (ff large numbers of children now attending the State schools to private schools, th >reby saving a large amount of public expandlture, while the work of the Government m the towns and oities would be confined to maintaining public tehools where aa insufficiency of private sohools existed. This change must, of oourae, bo eft toted gradually and cuefully. Mr Purnell also urged that a system of teohnlcal education for artisans should be established m connection with our High Sohoo's and Colleges, so that boy/i possessing a native talent for meohanioa might be afforded an opportunity of developing it Instead of being c impelled to go through a literary course bb at present. The worst enemies our educational system had were men like S!r Robert Stout, who went about the oountry preaching that the system must not be altered m the smallest particular. If the oiunsela of these fanatics were followed the result would be that m a year or two the system would break down through its own weight. He, however, doubted Sir Robert Stout's sincerity m this matter, and thought tha Premier was kicking up a dubt about Education merely to divert attention from the real issue before the country, namely — the financial proposals of the Ministry. Mr Purnell resumed his seat amidst loud applause. After a few questions had been asked and a swered, Mr G. M. Alin^ton mo?ed that a hearty vote of thanks be given to tha oandldata for his address, stating ihat he did not move a . vote of confidence because he thought that the ornfidence of the eleotors waß best expressad at tho b*l!ot-box. Mr J; Gunu seconded the motion, which was carriod unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.