WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1929, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

SANE EDUCATION. SUBSTITUTE FOR CRAM AND GRIND. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 5. The “Dominion” has drawn pointed attention to the complaint made by Dr Condliffe, 'formerly of Canterbury College and now head of the Honolulu Research Department, to the effect that the University professors in New Zealand are unable to give him the same assistance in his work as do the professors in other part of the world. The reason foi this state of affairs appears to be that the professors in the Dominion are so tied down to the examination syllabus that they have no liberty ol their own. “They have no freedom to teach,” says the morning paper, “for the reason that it takes them all their time to cram their students with the information required from them by external examiners, and therefore no opportunity to specialise in particular subjects.” It is understood that the revision of the recenl matriculation examination results arc due to the conditions that have beer indicated by the newspapers. It is to be hoped that the system of .‘/cram and grind,” which has prevailed so long, will be supplanted by a more effective method of education. PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR, Sir Joseph Ward appears to have received a very hearty welcome from the good people of Gisborne at the beginning of the week when he went among them for the purpose of unveiling a monument to the memory of his old friend and colleague, the late Sir James Carroll, who had been their representative in Parliament for many years and their sage adviser for many more. During his visit he found opportunity to say a word or two concerning railway construction along the East Coast which must have been highly refreshing to settlers who have been waiting for many a long year for the completion of this work. If he were in their shoes, he told those settlers and their friends, he would feel very disgusted with Parliament. Thev had been waiting for twenty years to learn which route the line would take. In less than ten days he would settl" that question for all time and in three or four years they would have their railway. This sounds like business and no doubt Sir Joseph will he as good as his word. HASTENING CONSTRUCTION. Though not admitting that the completion of the East Coast- line is Among the crying needs of the Dominion’s railway system, the “Post’ implies that the Prime Minister has done the right thing in putting an end to the tardy pace at which it has been proceeding during the last decade or two. ‘‘Sir Joseph Ward’s optimism and conciliatory attitude are refreshing,” it says, “and the average opinion in this country seems to be altogether sympathetic with a veteran statesman’s attempt to create a majority in a House that numeiicallv lacks one. On the railway question the Prime Minister stated at Gisborne nothing new. He said in effect that the East Coast railway, being started, must go on. He did not say whethei. if not started, it would have .been worth while starting. It is on occasions like this that a Prime Minister realises how necessary it is to have had adventurous predecessors.” This, at any rate, is the view of the man in the street and he is as a rule a passable reflection of public opinion.

MENACE TO TRAFFIC. Another problem awaiting his attention when Sir Joseph Ward returns to town is threatened by the Wellington Automobile Club. The executive of the club has instructed its representatives on the City and Subuibau Highways Board to press for a combined deputation from public bodies to the Prime Minister with a request for the removal of the central railway pier on the Hutt Road. Hie proposal was introduced by Mr J. D. Holmes, who holds that the removal of the pier would not cost more than £ISOO and that as it stands it is an obstacle to the development of the city and a constant peril to life. The members of the executive were unanimous in supporting the proposal, and it was decided to organise a deputation to the Minister forthwith. Sir Joseph himself, when a private member of Parliament, protested strongly against the erection of the pier, but now that the obstacle is linked up with tho railway line lie may find it more difficult than it would have been at that time to make other arrangements.