NATURE NEGLECTED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1124, 11 May 1911, Page 2

NATURE NEGLECTED.

A SCIENTIST'S PLEA. OUR SCHOOLS ATTACKED, A spirited attack on our present education sy=l?m and a pica for more study of natural history by pupils and adults gave special interest to the presidential address, which 31 r. (.!. V. Hudson, F.E.S., delivered before the Wellington Philosophical Society last night. 31 r. Hudson mentioned at the outset that his remarks were only to be taken as expressing liis own opinions, and not necessarily those of the. society. He protested'strongly against the common disposition to assess scientific studies solely according to tteir commercial value. Young people generally showed a great interest in natural objects, but adults were usually utterly indifferent to such tilings—they thought they were too busy to take any notice of the birds, or flowers, or even the stars. Faults in Home and School. Discussing the cause of this loss of potential naturalists, Mr. Hudson mentioned home and school influences which were directed towards restricting the child's inquiries and studies to subjects which are regarded as "fitting them for the business of life." Against this attitude he quoted an eloquent outburst of Herbert. Spencer against mere utilitarian teaching, and went on to read the same philosopher's advocacy of out-dcor studies for children on the ground that, a knowledge of the laws of life 'is of more importance than any other knowledge, . and that observations in natural history supplied the mind with material? for "those groat generalisations of science by which actions may be rightly guided." Mr. Hudson contended, however, that such studies would be hindered by being made compulsory. The student should be helped and encouraged to make his own observations. Why Not Discuss Religion? It was said that naturalists were dreamers, whereas, in fact, a naturalist inn.st bo a keen practical observer. The muchglorified study of mathematics was probably inferior to natural history as a training in habits of accurate observation. After enlarging upon the pleasures of natural history. Mr. Hudson referred to its connection with the greatest questions of philosophy. He thought the society's rule excluding religious subjects froni its proceedings should be reconsidered. The Ignorance of the Learned. Reverting to the question of school education, the president said that a young man who had a natural bias towards astronomy, and who but ior the education he was now receiving might attain to eminence, had given him some interesting information showing that at the college which he was attending the most splendid opportunities for astronomical observation were utterly neglected. . liven Halley's comet was ignored— probably because the foctball season was just beginning. Men of high scholastic attainments were utterly ignorant of simple facts of natural history, and when they exposed their ignorance they were treated with the utmost leniencv. Some boasted of knowing only enough of astronomy to enable them to distinguish the sun and the moon. Much of the deficiency which he complained of in the current education was duo to the widespread compulsory system with its unfortunate and unnecessary concomitants of cram and commercialism. He believed an improvement was coming. To use Woismann's formula, greatness waft in. the genii-plasm of the British race, and would develop when the conditions became more favourable. Towards such an improvement the revival of natural history studies would be a great help. To Arouse the Society, In conclusion, Mr. Hudson suggested a scheme for bringing young people into the Philosophical Society on a special footing. Ho also indicated efforts that might be made for the preservation of indigenous forms of flora anil faiinn, and outlined other means of increasing the usefulness and prosperity of the society.' A'short discussion followed the address. Mr. C. IV. Adams said he was a little surprised and pained at the president's pugnacious attitude towards mathematics. Mr. A. Hamilton said tho new legislation treated the different philosophical societies as portions of the New Zealavl Institute, and he thought this was as it should be. Outspoken School Inspector. Mr. Henry Hill, Inspector of Schools for Heivkc's Bay, who lias just returned from an extended tour abroad, said he agreed with much of what tho president had said. After liis travels in America, Liironc, and elsewhere he came hack convinced that if we were to compete successfully with other nations our education must be reconstituted on a more scientific basis. Geography, geolojy, or botany must be_studied, not from books, but from tho things as we saw them. The teachers were not ready for this, and before we could train the children we must train the teachers. "This so-called naturestudy, exclaimed Mr. Hill, "is nil moonshine. I am speaking of what I know, and I am in. full sympathy with tho teachers, but I say it is no use saying what a child should bo taught unless yoii make the teacher capable of Machine him. : b AH the speakers expressed high appreciation of the president's address.. \