CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1918, Page 1

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TUESDAY, June 11th., MONTHLY MEETING. Tho Chamber met at the County Chambers at 7.45. o’clock. Present.— Messrs G. A. Perry, (Chairman), J. Park, A. 11. Richards, R. Wild, P. .R Stewart, W. Wilson, C. M. Malfrov, and D. J. Evans (lion, secretary). The minutes of Die previous meeting were confirmed and tlie outward coirospondonee approved. j N WAR D CORRES PON DENC E. prom Imperial Institute thanking tho Chamber for information supplied in respect to the mineral resources of Westland which was receiving attention.—Received.

From Chief Postmaster enquiTng if the Chamber would contribute £l3 per annum towards the cost of the Saturday morning mail service to Jackson, to connect with the Canterbury overland service.—Received; the Chairman’s action in agreeing to guarantee fho half cost of the service and applying to tho local bodies for tlie financial assistance to defray the cost, was approved. From Chief postmaster intimating that the Jackson service was inaugurated on the Ist. —Received; with ex pensions of satisfaction, the convenience of the mail service being greatly appreciated by the Commercial circles. From Napier Chamber of Commerce asking for the scale of commissions charged by Land agents in Westland. — Received; and referred to the bon. Secretary to obtain the information and rcply. From Department of Commerce forwarding enquiry from Humber Produce Coy Ltd, with regard to foodstuffs for export to Egypt —Received. EDUCATIONAL REFOR MS.

REPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE. Your sub-Committee beg to report that at the- May meeting of. the Chamber your sub-Committee was asked to report on specific educational reforms arising -out of tlie general circular issued by the New Zealand Educational Institute which suggested an open resolution to the Government urging “the. necessity of making provision without delay for improvements and extensions in the Educational system of the Dominion.” This the Chamber deemed too indefinite a request to place before the Government, and youi sub-Com-niittee now beg to submit Die following suggestions as a basis of a resolution to put before the Hon. Minister ot Education, with a request that tho matters referred to might be embodied m any scheme of educational reform it is possible to put before Parliament - at this time. , 1 That no teacher be allowed to control more than, say, 50 pupils in any one class of the primary school, without efficient assistance. 2. That approval be expressed ot Diegood work done by the physical Mauling; of the children, the effects of which are already apparent, and in order to maintain and further improve Dus pleasing standard of advancement, it be a recommendation that in all school buildings to be erected in future, tie plans should provide for ample ventilation and lighting, and the furnishing ot proper desk and seating accommodation for the comfort of the pupils. 3. That it is desirable in the interests of the scholars .to. amend the pupil teacher system in the direction, that such teachers might rank as pioba- J tioners. and should not be permitted to j take sole charge of any class. j 4. That by way of material reiorm and to prevent the present overlapping • and waste which goes on, tlie lion. : Minister, bo asked to efficiently eo-or- j dinate the primary, technical, and high school branches of education. o. That it is desirable to establish | compulsory attendance at continuation _ schools, the part time instruction for those in employment to be in the daytime, and taken out of the time of the employer. 6 That with a view to cultivating a healthy national sentiment, the privileges and responsibilities of. citizenship be kept prominently before Die pupils in everv-day teaching. - 7 That in the interests of the rising' generation, a closer censorship be exercised over kiiioma pictures exhibit- j od where children arc admitted; and that an educational film be shown compulsorily at eadi public exhibition ot pictures. • . , 5. That copies of the be forwarded to the ITon. Minister of Education. Die New Zealand Edeational Institute and the Canterbury Education Board with a request tor support in regard to the adoption of the reforms as rapidly as circumstances will permit. The report was received. .Messrs Wild and Stewart spoke in explanation of the points brought out in the report. A general discussion took place on the various phases mentioned in the report, which was adopted by tlie Chamber.

It was resolved to express appreciation of the work done hy the Education Department with regard to medical inspection of scholars and to suggest that the excellent beginning be followed up by extending the scope of the inspection to ensure that all instructions for the health of the children, including those arising out of denial inspection, be carried out compulsorily, the State to organise staffs to give otfect to same. Reference was made to the provisions obtaining in respect to the establishment of- Technical Schools, and it was resolved to sot up a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Perry, Butler Stewart, Malfrov, and Wild to report on the'lines on which a well-equipped school could be established for the district.lt was pointed out that these schools were doing excellent work in other parts and to -ensure special training for the rising veneration which was not obtainable otherwise a school suitably staffed with expert- teachers was most desirable. GENERAL.

The Chamber concluded its sitting with a general discussion on the bridges required in South Westland. The desire was to concentrate effort so that the through route to ITari Hari might he made complete as soon as possible. T was resolved to co-operate with all local effort to tins end.. meeting concluded at MO,, prim.