IN SOUTH PACIFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1923, Page 2

IN SOUTH PACIFIC.

EDUCATIONALIST’S VISIT. [BY TKLF.Gr.AFII —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ■WELLINGTON, Sept, 6. Mr Caughley (Director of Education) who has been on a visit of inspection to the dependencies of New Zealand in the South Pacific, states as a result of his visit, after next year wo shall he sendjing 'inspectors periodically to visit these islands. AH the authorities in the islands are agreed that we should select their teachers for them, superannuation and the promotion rights of teachers being preserved for them, while absent in the islands.

ljn the course of his investigations, Mr Caughley found widely different policies were being pursued in various parts if the islands. The chief defect noticable was an attempt to give a European education to the native children. Iu all the islands, the native population predominates and it was to he hoped that this always would bo so. Every effort should therefore be made to preserve them and develop them aeeirding to their own national spirit. Such forms of education should he given them as will fit them to live their own native lives, according to the climate and food. Summing tip his impressions, Mr Caughley states three tilings impressed hint forcibly. In tho first place, tlie magnificent work done by missions; secondly, the fine work done by teachers. both white and native, who had taken up the work in isolated regions appealed to him. In the third place lie could not help admiring the selfsacrifice, zeal and devotion shown by civil servants, who were cut off front society and civilisation and who were devoting themselves whole-heartedly to tile interests of the natives.