THE RESIGNATION OF MR. BRYCE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2148, 13 January 1881, Page 2

THE RESIGNATION OF MR. BRYCE.

Me. Beyce has resigned, finding himself no longer able to agree with his fellow Ministers on one important point. The public at large will regret his decision, whilst agreeing with the majority of the Executive that the position he had taken up was untenable. The Government were certainly pledged to Parliament to carry out, as far as possible, their Native policy in accordance with the general lines laid down by the West Coast Commission. Mr. Bryce proposed to step altogether outside those lines, and to make a serious divergence in a direction that might possibly have very serious results. His decision savoured of impatience of the slowness of the process involved in the present Native policy. The proverb “ hasten gently ” had no longer any charms for him, and ho urged the striking of a decisive blow that would end the matter at once. The bulk of the Ministry, on the other hand, were well satisfied with the progress already made, and were unwilling to risk anything by any rash attempt. The settlement of the Waimate Plains, and the survey of the Parihaka block, are enormous steps in the right direction, and have been accomplished by combining patience with firm-

ness. The appointment of Sir William Fox as sola Commissioner is also a farther guarantee that the course which the old Commission recommended will be adhered to. But we part with Mr. Bryce with deep regret. He has deserved well of the country, for ho has steered it through a severe crisis with eminent success. When we reflect on the state of affairs existing when the late Ministry loft office and compare it with that which now obtains, the contrast is astonishing. The gulf between these two stages has been bridged over to a great extent by the exertions of Mr. Bryce, CEMENT V. CLASSICS. Professor Bickerton is an exponent of the new school which cry up a science education at the expense of a classical one. Now wo have always upheld the importance of our artizans receiving technical instruction. To compete successfully with foreign workmen our rising generation must evidently be trained to as thorough a knowledge as possible in both science and art. But there is such a thing as riding a hobby to death, and Professor Bickerton is frequently inclined to perform that operation. At the meeting of the Industrial Association, held last evening, Mr. Gray, of the Canterbury College, read a second very interesting paper on the various processes employed in the manufacture of cement. At the conclusion of the reading, up jumps the Professor, and launches out once again in the old style. The improved systems of making cement have not been introduced into England, according to the Professor, because the English people were rather more classically than practically educated. Cement making has not been introduced into the curriculum of the principal Universities. He apparently doubts whether even the Regius Professors are properly grounded in the business. Occasionally the making of cement should be introduced into the lectures. The lecturers should turn their sleeves, tuck up their gowns, and practically demonstrate that they are not as useless as they are sometimes conceived to be. Instead of worshipping the heathen gods of Greece and Rome (!), those classical magnates should bow down before Johnston’s chamber kiln or Hoffman’s ring kiln. Their present metier is entirely played out, and fresh fields and pastures new must be sought before they can gain the support of our enthusiastic Professor. No doubt Professor Bickerton is, to a large extent, on the right track, but there is such a thing as too much zeal, and it hardly seems necessary to seize on every occasion to haul the classics and their illustrators over the coals.