EDUCATIONAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1925, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

GATHERING AT TOWN HALL. ADDRESSES BY SIR JAMES PARR AND MU FRANK TATE. At the Town llall last night at S o’i lock before an excellent attendance interesting addresses on education were given b\- Sir James Parr 'Minister of Education) and Mr Frank 'late i Director of Education in Victoria;. Tile County Chairman (.Mr E. A. Wells) presided, and Mr James O’Brien M.P., and Hon. 11. L. Michel were also on the platform with the visitors.

Mr Wells briefly welcomed Sir James Parr and Mr Tate to Westland, expressing the pleasure it gave the people to have them in the district. Mr James O’Brien said it was a

great pleasure to extend a welcome to Westland to Sir James and Lady Parr and Mr Frank Tate. Director of Education in Victoria for the past 22 years. He also congratulated Sir James Parr on the liigTi honour the King had recently conferred on him. He also expressed his appreciation of what Sir James had done tor education and for New Zealand, and mentioned that that afternoon he had granted a request of the residents for a new school at Harihari .

Sir James Parr thanked the speakers for their welcome and congratulations. Accompanied by Mr Frank Tate they bad been down to the Franz Josei Glacier. Tliev only had two days but he wished it had been two weeks. He considered the country between Hokitika and Waiho contained the finest hush scenery and the finest forest drive that there was in New Zealand. It was the duty of the residents and

also of the Government to eneourag tourists to visit the glacier, which wa something unique. It was a pleasur to hear testimony to the magnified! asset the district possesses.

Referring to Education, Sir James proceeded to say that it was the most important tiling. Education is required by everybody, if everybody is to have their right place in life, reference being made to the value of a good sound education. 'I here was something more necessary than merely elementary education and it was on thi* question that Mr Tate was here for, to confer with the speaker and his officers. The importance of* education was hilly recognised by the Government. Ibis was

shown bv the very large increases

granted for education, the expenditure this year on which would amount to nearly 3) millions. Reference was

made to the many improvements made

in regard to teachers and scholars conditions in the schools and he instanced that now there were no classes with more than lit), and the average Ijor the Dominion was not more than 3:i for one class under one teacher. The value of the correspondence schools for outlying districts and lor centralised schools to bring outlying children into a central school where they would receive better tuition was dealt with at some length. The object of education. emphasised Sir James, was to teach the youngsters to think clearly of their life and its possibilities. It was imperative that they educate tho voters and then you will have a iust

and good Government. Sir James com luded by expressing his pleaxuie at his visit and the welcome given. Mr Frank Tate in his opening remarks expressed his admiration lor the faith of the public ol New Zealand in the cause of education. They probably spent more per head than any other country in the world iu the endeavor to give their -young people a sound education. Education was the development of the strength that is in the man. The duty of education was to bring up a sound body- physically and mentally. 1 lie lessons oi the Boer Mar when so many in England had been found wanting in physical stamina had brought forth the necessity for physichl training. In the schools, ii the teacher was doing his duty, th" • 1 11 1 1 1 licubl be gaining iu MMut.ll strength each day. What was needed was the development of the physical, mental and moral strength of hoys ami girls, and so prepare them for a real serviceable lile. a lile of duty and responsibility. Mr Tate gave main interesting references in explanation of his views, and referred specially to the team life of the people of Denmark which was proving such a success in that country, lie emphasised that what was wanted was to encourage the spirit of team work in this country, the doing of good for the general community. He concluded by stating that the future of New Zealand depends on what benefits they can give the young people hv means of education and so prepare them lor their luture life, an appeal being made to the parents to take every possible advantage of the opportunities for carrying on their studies and so give their children a fair start in their litc. Before sitting down Mr Tate relerred to his visit to South Westland. He said he had never seen anything finer in the world, and he had travelled over most ol it. than the forest drive to Waiho. It was a magnificent ‘ heritage that the people should exercise everv care over. They had it on trust and every care should be taken of it. lie had been delighted with it ami if unable to come again himselt he eertainlv would like to send his children to see it, COMPLIMENTARY VOTE. Mr G. A. Berry (Mayor) moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Sir .Tallies Barr and -Mr Tate tor their admirable addresses, which had proved of most interesting and educative nature. lion. IT. L. Michel seconded the motion. They were indebted to Sir James Barr and Mr Tate for their able and instructive addresses and were specially indebted to Sir James for what lie had done in the cause ol education. No Minister had improved the position of the teaching profession as he had. Sir James Barr said lie thought that the vote should tie carried tor Mr Tate onlv. He was the one who had given them a talk than ought to he an inspiration to all present. As Minister of Education he had to listen to inanv educationalists hut most oi them were in the clouds. Mr Tate had the verv highest inspirations hut he was able to talk in a practical manner, which those present had iully appreciated. He would ask them to carry flic motion of appreciation to Mr late hv acclamation. I

Mr Tate returned thanks for the cordial vote carried.

Mr O’Brien moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and a very instructive gathering came to a close.