AN OVERSEAS TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1928, Page 2

AN OVERSEAS TOUR

AIR J. A. HANAN’S IAtPRESSIOXS

DUNEDIN, Dec. 21

Air J, A. Hanan, AI.L.C., after a world tour, returned to Dunedin yesterday.

Asked by an Otago Daily Times reporter yesterday for some of the opinions lie had formed on his tour, Air Hanan said that while in London he noticed, among other things, the sincere respect, and the deep reverence shown by all the people who passed the Cenatopli in Whitehall. On several occasions he stood and watched the passershy. They were people belonging to all classes—rich and poor, high and low—and when about to pass the monument all lifted their bats as a mark of respect to our heroic soldiers. One man’s hands might be grimy with dust, another might be wearing a helltopper, or another might he on top of' a cart, but the same respect was shown by all. <l lt was the most impressive sight I wincssed during by four,” said Air Hanan, who added, “1 should like to see in this country similar reverence shown by our people, particularly by our young people.” Referring to medical education, Air Tlanan said lie bad visited a number of medical schools in the course of his tour. He- had been very pleased indeed to bear the good opinions expressed with regard to the excellent work done by the Otago Medical School ini the education and training of students. The school, he said, was well known on the other .side of the world, and its sound work was widely 'recognised there. Air Hanan added that lie would like to sec the subject of olistctrics given a more prominent place in the -work of the . A led i cal School, and bo hoped, because of the great value of- the work, that a chair would, before long, be established.

‘.‘l could nob fail to notice in London,” said Air Hanan, “that a number of the old-fashioned businesses—drapers’ shops, warehouses etc.—arc falling into the hands of large combines. The drapery business, for instance, is fast becoming a trust. One combine has taken over six large businesses. It is the same with the warehouses.”

Speaking of the difficulties between capital and labour, Air Hanan said that, in America there was a growing tendency' in favour of co-operation between employer and employee. This was seen in some of the important indusries in which shares were held by the workers.

Touching on the subject of examination, Mr Hanan said l'»at it was a subject he- had discussed with educationists in a number of countries lie had visited. The general opinion was to the effect that it was difficult to find a satisfactory substitute for examination—a substitute that, while removing the disadvantages of examination, would retain its advantages. As to certification of schools, which was urged by some educationists in New Zealand, he had found that in the United States this was being discontinued as being unsatisfactory. Air Hanan went on to say that’ in Italy Signor Mussolini was gradually establishing a State system of education. After what he had seen and heard of other systems, lie had returned to New Zealand a stronger supporter than ever of our State system of free, secular, and compulsory education.

As to school planning, Mr Hanan was impressed with the nature of the primary school buildings now being erected by the London County Council. In some schools visited he had noticed that U number of windows were glazed with vita glass, which admitted the ultra-violet rays of the sun. Teachers had informed him that at such schools great benefit was derived by children with physical weakness.