"BEING THROTTLED"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2332, 14 December 1914, Page 7

"BEING THROTTLED"

WELLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE • .— ,-. <. INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION "This year as in previous years we have been compelled to close entries in certain classes owing to' our accommo- .' dation being inadequate," says the Direo. tor of .Technical Education. (Mr. W. S. La Trobe) in his annual report. "There is no doubt," he adds, "that the college is being throttled through lack of reasonable and efficient accommodation. iWe have for some years maintained a Tespectable position among the leading technical colleges of the Dominion, but it is becoming'evident that other large centres which possess much better buildings, and in some cases : much larger equipment, will be able to deal with larger numbers than we can possibly arrange for satisfactorily in Wellington. 3.'he Technical Board is fully alive 10 the position, and arrangements had been practically completed for the acquisition of a good central site, when the war broke out, and we were advised not to .press the matter on for a few months. Our needs are recognised by the Department, .by the Education Board and the City Council, and I trust that before the,end_ of next year the position, which is rapidly becoming scandalous, will be contpletely changed, and that a central Technical College building worthyof.the students and a credit to the City may be well on, the way to completion. While the want of suitabla buildings and grounds' makes it impossible ,to handle the work on as large a scale as. is necessary in this town, I am glad to say that, as far as I can judge, the actual work done by instructors and students has not materially suffered from lack of facilities, except in the more highly technical branches. With few exceptions, students have shown a laudable desire to learn, and have in consequence made good progress." During the course of the prize-giving ceremony on' Saturday night, Mr. D. Robertson, chairman of the Technical ■Education Board, mentioned the fact .that the students worked under, considerable disadvantages at present, for .want of adequate accommodation. As there were two members of the Government present, he would draw their attention to the matter. He had asked for a new technical school last year, but there were many disadvantages in the way'then, and it was not granted. He was going to ask for it again this coming year, and he saw no reason .why the Government should not grant 5t them. (Applause.) Assistance Wanted. The Hon. J. G. W Aitken,,chairman bf the Education Board, saidJthak t?n}y were obliged for the great interest His Excellency the Governor had taken in technical education. (Applause.) He was pleased at some of the remarks of iMr. Robertson. A great number of country towns and other places in New Zealand had received a great deal more attention in the matter of technical education assistance than had Wellington. He did not know whether it was the fault of the Government; or not. If 60 it was the. fault of- the past Administration, for the present Government had not been long enough, established to alter the conditions much. He mentioned the offer of £10,000. made by the City Council towards .-'acquiring a site _ for a new. technical school. Last session the. Government had. too much on its hands in the war to find funds for the technical School, : but'if'the war ~, ended soon he was sure the City Council'would renew their offer, and then 'the; Technical Sphool Board could go to the Government, and ask them to erect a suitable building. At present they had a genius in Mr. La Trobe, who accommodated 2000 day and night students. (Applause.) '

His Exoellenoy's Address. Before presenting the certificates to Students, His Excellency the. Governor said that- one quite realised the need of 'having a suitable building, but every Government and Minister was called upon to say who. should have first help. It was very difficult to meet them all at once; if this was done there would soon be a cry out against the high taxation.' At all events, he could say he did not think the needs of the capital City would be long overlooked. One (recognised, the necessity for proper accommodation. He gave a word of praise to'the many students and past students who ■ ■ lad gone • out to assist -their Empire.' They . would realise in after years that their work had been of great Value. _He congratulated the students on their patriotic action in giving their prizes for the assistance of the Belgians. They would feel that they had done' something that was worth doing in foregoing- more substantial prizes for "a small scrap of paper." In this connection, 'the German Chancellor .would regret in the future his remarks about "a small scrap of paper." In his school days, said' His Excellency, ■Frenchmen disliked being called "Froggies." He would not be surprised if the Germans of the future would be displeased: if they were asked how '"their piece of paper was " In. conclusion, he said he was very pleased to be •present to take part in the prize-giving function. (Applause.) Minister of Education Sympathetic. The Hon. Jas. Allen supplemented His Excellency's Temarks as to • the prizes. The' piece of paper they would receive would remind them of the help they had given to those who stood up for what was right. (Applause.) He gave his .thanks to the students • who have gone forth with the Expeditionary Force, and spoke of. the good work of the young students, who would be a •considerable adjunct to the Territorial Forces. As to the building, he remarked on the success the students had had. It showed they could overcome difficulties. He understood the City Council was still willing to find £10,000 for a site for a technical school. There were great demands on the Education Department for assistance. He thought Wellington's demands were more urgent than some others. The war had caused them some trouble, but they were not frightened of the war. It would be great pleasure to him to assist them in getting funds for the building. (Applause.) He emphasised the value .of technical education, and said he believed Mr. La Trobe was one of the best workers. (Applause.) In conclusion, he told them not to lot the Mayor forget the offer of £10,000, and "don't forgot the Minister of Education, and he won't forget you." (Applause.) The Needs of tho Country. The Hon. H. D.'Bell said that no One could fail to be impressed with the necessity of assisting tho Wellington Technical School towards better accommodation, but against that there woro in every part of the country demands for primary schools. These wore overwhelming, and the Minister of Education had over and over again, to refuse some domands, because he knew thero were others more urgent. There never could he enough monoy to provide all tho schools that were required in tho country districts, and at the same time keep a large amount of money 'available for work iii tho city. At tho same time .Wellington would get a fair and proper share. '■ (Applause.) Mr. W. Allan and the Mayor also addressed the students, and on the motion of the latter a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to His Mr. Luko also conveyed '/v 2£s La Trobe and his staff tho t'r/mKs ot\\ho citizens for the work they dono.