TECHNICAL CLASSES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2032, 18 March 1907, Page 1

TECHNICAL CLASSES

VALUE TO YOUNG PEOPLE. The remarks made by Mr H. Hill, Chief Inspector of Schools, that “the introduction of subjects like woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking, while beneficial in many ways, certainly tended to lessen efficiency in the essential subjects of reading, writing, etc.,” have attracted a great deal of attention, and with the remarks recorded Saturday, do not meet with general approval. “Of course technical education must be on correct lines,” said a highlyqualified workman speaking to a “Times” reporter Saturday. “So must piano-playing, well-sinking, or any other line of occupation. Even the successful buslifallor proceeds on what might really be called a scientific basis, to test which you have only to compare tho wiry little expert with the physical giant who is new at the game. The real fact, it seems to me, is that tho natural tendency on the part of all teachers is to give too much weight to the scholastic side and think too little of the utilitarian, the combining of tho hands with tho brains, if I may use such a term. Admitted that too much time given to technical subjects subtracts from tho parrot portion of education, and may make a youngster weak on subjects such as the frailties of the Georges or "the disposition of King John; hut in these practical days there are many things, thought - essential a few years ago that may well ho dispense;! in favor of something more advantageous in the living present. If Mr Hill or tlie other gentleman alluded to had said there was too much heart-straining and mind-crazing football, too miioh eagerness for complete knowledge on such subjects as horse-racing I would agree with him; but of technical education we can hardly have too much —always provided it is on correct lines. The boys nowadays do not realise the advantage they have over us old hands. They do not learn things so well, but look at the short cuts they have to get to the same ends we had to travel to by very hard roads. They have the opportunities of learning woll in a few months what it took us years of apprenticeship and extra study to master. My chief oomplaint against the technical education system is that the colonial youth is so vain that when he acquires a more surface knowledge of anything he also gets the idea that he has a complete mastery thereof and puts on airs in consequence. But that is the characteristic colonial way, not the system. The man, however, who seoks to belittle the value of technical education is no friend of the nation. A tour through the workshops of Germany would he the best education for any reasonable man wlio thinks lightly of technical education; the unreasonable man’s only chance would be to listen quietly “to what that man would tell him after his tour.” THE SOLDIERS’ FUTURE.

A British. Parliamentary paper wan issued recently containing a copy of the instructions issued by the War Office to the various military commands with reference to giving technical instruction to soldiers to fit them for civil life. The recommendations are based on the report of Sir Edward Ward’s Committee on the Employment of ex-Soldiers and Sailors. In order that soldiers in all commands should be given tlio opportunity of acquiring during their color service technical knowledge of sonic trade, every effort is to be made to interest tho men in their future prospocts. The preliminary arrangements for training are to he carried out by a committee of officers interested in technical education, who will not only suggest methods of instruction, but get into touch with the technical institutes of tlie various cities and towns where soldiers are quartered, and the information obtained and arrangements made will 'be communicated to the men, who will be given tlie opportunity of attending a course of instruction in any available trade they may select. On completion of tho course a certificate will he given to each man, showing the degree of proficiency he lias attained. The following branches of instruction arc described as being generally suitable: Shorthand and typewriting, business correspondence and commercial bookkeeping, carpentering, shooing, and blacksmith’s work, platelaying and trenching, railway signalling, saddlery, slaughtering sheep and cattle, telegraphy, electrical wiring, driving motor vehicles,farm work and ploughing, driving and care of horses anil of harness, and motoring. As far as possible the technical training is to he given to any men who may desire it, but- preference is to be given to men in their last two years of color service. On the question of finance, it is observed that, although the Government may, perhaps, make some contribution towards the initial cost, it is the intention that the men, themselves shall bear a portion of the expenses of their own training.