TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1919, Page 1

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

A FEILDING REQUEST.

WELLINGTON, May 23.

A deputation from the Feilding district waited on the Hon. J. A. Hanan to-day to urge that further Government assistance be given towards tlie building of a hostel in connexion with the new Technical School about to be erected in Feilding. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, in intro, dueing tlie deputation, said they already had ten acres, to which they wore about to add another ten acres. In return they looked to the Government to supply the necessary money for the buildings. The people of the district were desirous that the young people should have facilities provided for them to take the agricultural course at the Technical School. In order to do this a hostel was needed, as students from a distance must have somewhere to stay, so they asked that tlie grant should be increased to cover the cost of the hostel. The people of the district were willing to help themselves, and the local bodies were prepared to assist. One local body had promised £3OO, and all the others were prepared to do likewise if the hostel were provided, so that their children could take advantage of the agricultural course.

Hr Hanan said the point the depu- ■ tation had made was of interest throughout New Zealand. The Governpicnt, so far, had not favoured giving assistance in the erection of hostels in ’ connexion with Technical Schools, but the Department would look into the ' matter when the new proposals respeet--1 ing Technical Schools were under con- ’ sidcratiou. Ho was endeavouring to ascertain what sum would lie required • if the Cabinet sanctioned the extension of financial assistance. He congratulated the people of the district on the spirit of self-help they had displayed. A vote had been granted for the

school, but he did not think it jvpuld be sufficient to meet the type of ing that should be erected, owiqg to the high cost of material and labour. A proposal had been placed beforg him. the previous day, involving the gjpenditure of half a million of money, and another proposal was to include kindergarten work in our national system of education. His Department assured him it would cost about £2oo,o€)jpj per year. What the deputation about agricultural education appealed to him. Early next month he wag calling a conference, to be held in Wellington, of all lecturers and instrggtors in connexion wit agriculture, fgp the purposes qf Iqrmu}ating a couplet* scheme of education, the desire being to plape education gg a bettep footing, and piake it mope efficient. They had heard a lot about town-planning, but a good deal plight lie said for majving the country more attractive, and so 'arresting the "drift towards the towns.