The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1385, 24 July 1878, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1878.

A few days ago wo published a circular memorandum which has been issued by the Government to the chairmen of the various school committees throughout the colony, stating that nuinoi'ous vacancies are likely to occur for cadets in the public departments of the Civil Service, and that tho Government is desirous of giving every encouragement to youths attending the public schools of tho colony to obtain such appointments. Tho chairman of school committees have therefore been requested to forward to the Minister of Education a list of youths of over sixteen years of age at present, or formerly, pupils of public schools, whom they can recommend for ability, good conduct, and general fitness to fill such vacancies. At first sight the course adopted by the Government seems worthy of approval by the public, but a littlo consideration will, wo think, show that the step taken by tho Education Department is not one likely to bo beneficial to tho youth of tho colony. To teach them to look forward to an illpaid position in tho service of the Government is not to place a very high aim before the best talent of the rising generation. This country has only just begun its career of progress. Its rescources are scarcely known yet, far less developed. People are just beginning to discover that it has great capabilities, and what is wanted is plenty of talent and energy to make the most of these advantages. But it is a notorious fact that there is a most decided aversion among colonial children to engage in what their parents, with pride, called the " heroic work of colonisation." Situations which are denominated " genteel" are eagerly sought after by anxious applicants, while manly, honest labor is to a great extent despised. If our colonial youth had a proper sense of tho dignity of work, the majority of them would do as their parents have done —turn their attention to tho cultivation of the soil, the raising of our minerals, and the manufacture of such of our products as will give a return for the expenditure of skill and capital. It is difficult to assign a cause for the most decided aversion shown to work of any kind by tho children not only of the woll-to-do, but of all classes of colonists. At any rate, it cortainly reveals a most unhealthy social condition. Wo regret, therefore, to observe that the Government are about to lend their aid to foster this most undesirable spirit. In teaching the best boys in our public schools to look forward to an appointment in the Civil Service, they are diverting their minds from far more useful, and perhaps lucrative, employments. If thoro wore any lack of candidates for Government billets, it would be different. But as long as tho presont spirit prevails, Government need not fear having a long list to choose from in filling up even the most unimportant vacancy. As long as it is considered " genteel " to starve on a miserable salary, and tho opposite to live a life of comfort and independence as a tiller of tho soil, so long will every avonuo which leads to tho former bo crowded by anxious candidates. Wo think, therefore, that Ministers have made a mistake in endeavouring to foster this desire for clerkships which is so striking a characteristic of the young men born in the colony. The aim of education should be to make eacli niembor of the community bettor fitted to do his duty to tho State in whatever sphere his lot may have fallen. If our merchants and farmers and miners and manufactures are better educated, they will bo better qualified to perform tho work which is placed before them. Wo should bo sorry, therefore, to see tho Education Department committing the great blunder of assisting to foster the idea that honest work is derogatory. Yet that will be Hie effect of tho memorandum Avhich lias just been issued. There are but few positions in the Civil Sorvico worth seeking after by a man of talent and energy. What few good appointments there are, as a rule are given not as the reward of merit, but are secured by influence, or as tho price of political support. Tho vast majority of the civil servants are ill-paid, and have no prospect of advancement such as is within the reach of men of tho same ability in mercantile life. If boys are taught to look forward to cadctships in the Civil oervico as the goal of their ambition, a largo amount of talent will bo misdirected, and many a life rendered miserable, which in other circumstances, might bo, not only usefully, but honorably apont in roproductivo industry.