POST-WAR PREPAREDNESS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16158, 12 March 1918, Page 8

POST-WAR PREPAREDNESS.

MOVE BY EFFICIENCY BOARD. ENQUIRY REGARDING EDUCATION. Speaking to a representative of ''The Press" yesterday, Mr J. 1 A. L rostick, Canterbury Commissioner on tho National Efficiency Board, stated that the Board had for some months past been considering tho necessity for post-wai preparation in various forms, and thero appeared to be nothing more urgent than a more efficient equipment of tho rising generation to meet the increased national obligations which would fail upon them in the course of a very few years. The Dominion could only meet its obligations by increased production and industrial activity. The industrial portion of the community was becoming more and more important, and more than half the entire population was dependent on what was known as til© secondary industries, or, m other words, which were in no way connected, directly or indirectly, with primary productlo"ln order to secure the greatest officiencv," said Mr Frcstick, ' we start*with the young people, and it has been decided by tho National Efficiency Board that it will act under its commission and hold a small enquiry or enonirics covering tho whole ground education, included in the education —primary, secondary, icermical, commercial, and workshop Ira mil g, R as to cover, as far as possible, all the trades, professions, in-« dustries included m the Roarers classification, with, tho idea of providing,information as to what course should.be pursued for the purpose of improving the training of the youth of the Dominion in civic responsibilities as wed as personal training. Encli Commissioner will proceed to take evidence in private in his <-wn district from such individuals rs he deems most capable of giving evidence on the various points and subjects. The Commissioners will exchange opinions with each other from da\ to dar, s> that the conclusions arrived at may be discussed by the Board as a whole as earlv as possible after tho enquiry has been held. The enquiry will be advertised, and evidenco will bo taken from anv persons who offer themselves for examination from every class of occupation or employment—workers as well as employers. The enquiry will commence in the Board's office. Christohurch in the course of a few days, and it is expected to occupy at least three months. Evidence will be taken in Christchurch. and probably Ashburton, Timaru, Bl°nhft'm, Nelson, Reefton, AVestport. Ho'-itika. and Greymouth, or in such other places as the Commission© • mav determine/'

SCOPE OF THE ENQUIRY. A scheme for scientific industrial research was recommended and supported by tho .National Efficiency Board in January last. The present enquiry will be extended to include every form of employment, either in the trades, profes- ! sioiis, or other occupations included in ! the Board's classification. The Com- ! missioner intends to commence his work by obtaining evidence from profcssois of chemistry, economics, bio- , logVj mathematics, and engineering, also from professional men in respect to the commercial and professional side (not to include law and medicine). The next oridence will be with regard to the primary education system up to the sixth standard, and also from the samo witnesses apy evidence they may jbo able to give with regard to the

secondary system. The Commissioner will also ascertain alleged faults and defects in the prfesent system of technical instruction, as it may 'apjicar to this particular class of witnesses, always bearing in mind the necesity for co-ordination between the three systems, primary, secondary, and technical. Evidence wall thon be taken from teachcrs engaged in the secondary system, that is, being the intermediate course between tho primary and technical, as to what will be necessary to secure complete co-ordination in every class of instruction. This enquiry will bo followed by evidenco from responsible men engaged with the existing system of technical instruction, with a View to ascertaining how the pupils could be better prepared by the primary and secondary systems, where improved and co-ordinated with technical instruction, and what would bo necessary to arrive at a more practical connexion botweon technical classes, office, shop, workshop, or other employment, in order to secure the highest form of efficiency in every form of employment. Having obtained evidence from the theoretical side, the Commissioner will probably proceed to take evidence with regard to industries, occupations, and professions in blocks, that is, empjoyers and workors. For example—metal trades and those engaged therein; timber industry and those engaged therein; food production and distribution; general distribution of commodities and so on until every item in tho Board's classification of industries, occupations, and professions is included in a particular block- Special evidenco will be taken with regard to civic responsibilities, and how the younger generation can be best instructed to realise the civic responsibilities which must fall upon them in due course. The Commissioners will endeavour, in their enquiries, to impress on all witnesses that constructive and not purely destructive evidence is wanted, and they will discourage the recital of grievances unless some suggestion, however crude, is made for a removal, of same.