The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1911. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 April 1911, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1911. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

TfinoumiOTTT >''ew Zoa'and thisev-n----incr, meetings of all ihtonselioldors have been eonvened, to fulfill their duty of electing from amongst themselves comniitteemen to manage the general affairs of the puhlie schools. This is a duty which usually is seriously regarded ; and deservedly so. The personnel of any school committee is a matter of importance. Tuition, and the tone of a school, primarily are the concern of the headmaster •and his staff: but if the general conduct of the school's affairs is either loose or over-exacting, satisfactory results become hard of achievement, and possibly unattainable. Tn electing comniitteemen the citizens of each (own should endeavour to select men whose everyday life and actions are characterised by what has been aptly termed "a spirit of sweet reasonableness." Those people whoso everyday lives display this quality may be depended upon to carry if. into the deliberations of any body they may he-come connected with. Conversely, the finical, hypercritical, querulous being cannot dissociate himself from his customary atmosphere. Tn various parts of New Zealand, the Hi bio in Schools advocates are making' endeavours to- have committees elected which will arrange to have Bible lessons or readings p'iven in the schools during the ordinary hours of tuition. This newspaper earnestly hopes that the endeavours of these well-meaning enthusiasts i will be unsuccessful. The system of "free, compulsory and secular education" was evolve;! from the failures of many previous systems based on denominationalisTn, and this writer thoroughly helivos that the present education system is as fine a piece of machinery as could be devised 'for the children's upbringing. When grave defects in the pupils become apparent, t-lioy are generally traceable to faulty administration of the .system ; and, for that matter, it may he added .that any other plan of education would run these risks. The New Zealand Education Act is maligned by many detractors. Jt is. to our mind, instinct with good qualities. When administered in its broadest spirit, it inculcates tho very highest standard of morality; and tho children whose homo Ufa and home training are of a nature to foster and develop the qualities instilled at school, reasonably may be regarded as sure and certain to become ttesirablo citizens. Bible teaching should bo given in Sunday schools and in the home circle.