HON H. ATMORE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1929, Page 3

HON H. ATMORE

VISIT OF MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO SOUTH WESTLAND. The Hon 11. Atnuirc, Minister of Edueaton, who lias been visiting South West-land returned to Hokitika lastevening at 7 o’clock, some delay having Cecil caused yesterday afternoon owing to car trouble, which necessitated coining on by a car kindly driven by Air W. Searle,. their own car having to be towed up for repairs. Seen last evening at Keller’s Hotel, Air Atmoru stated lie was immensely pleased with bis trip to South Westland. He had left Reefton on Saturday travelling through to AVehoka, which was reached that evening. The week-end. was spent among the glaciers, nine hours on the Fox and some six hours on the Fran/, Josef Glacier. Time also permitted of a trip on an oil launch on Lake Alapourika, where the beautiful reflections were seen to great advantage. Unfortunately time did not perni.it of a visit to Okarito. Visits were made to AYailio, AVataroa and Harihari schools, but the break-down of their c-a l r prevented Ross being reached in time to visit the school before the scholars bad 101 l and a visit will lie paid there at a later date.

The visit to the AA'est- Coast stated •the Almister, was part of a tour of New Zealand for the purpose of getting into touch with as many as possible of the 250,000 children in the primary. secondary and technical schools of the Dominion, and to enquire as to the rocyiirements needing attention and the suitability of places for the opening of new schools. Air Atmore said bo bad l>een particularly struck, during bis journeying through the various districts, with the healthy appearance of the children. He had found the children on the Coast were well up to the standard. Tt had been found that the New Zealand boy or girl of 15 was the tallest and best developed in the whole world. This was fully borne out by the latest statistics.

During bis visit to Wailin and AYoheka be had been waited on by several deputations and he had promised to convey their representations to tho Rt. Hon the Prime Afinister, who is in charge of the- Tourist Department, with a view to- securing small grants ■for very necessary works. He personally had quite agreed with the contentions of the members of the deputation. and would strongly recommend bis colleague to make the grants asked for.

The beauty and grandeur of South Westland scenery bad been a reveletoin, continued the Minister and one could wish to spend many days anvne such beautiful environments. All that bad been written of the glories of the mountain scenery bad been fully borne out, and be bad enjoyed bis visit thoroughly. He had been to the AA est Coast a number of times before, but this bad been bis first visit south of Hokitika, and he would endeavour to go there again and would make the round trip over the Fran/, Josef and back again by way of Copeland Pass. The roads generally were in film order with a splendid surface and the glorious weather experienced bad assisted to make the journey a thoroughly enjoyable one.

DEPUTATIONS. During the evening Air James O’Brien, Member for Westland, who j Imd accompanied the Minister during j his visit to the district, introduced several deputations. One consisted of Messrs J. Foote and F. Newman representing the Avhitebait hshermen), avlhi asked that before any regulations affecting Avhitebait Avere brought into force that the fishermen haA r c an opportunity to perusC them; also they protested against any persons being allowed to deposit. siiAvdiist in the rivers. It Avas stated by the deputation that there was no necessity to curtail the Avhitebait season, the, lush being as plentiful of late years as over they had been. TRo Minister promised to place the representations, made before the Minister affected. Messrs A. C. Armstrong (chairman),j J. Conning and W. E. Richards (memhors) Avaitcd on the Minister in regard to Hokitika school matters, including the supply of a dental officer at once, it uoav being six months since the last officer had left the district, the question of,tho purchase of sections in front of the school and matters affecting the syllabus. Hon Atmoro, in the course of an interesting talk, promised to look into the question of frontage next morning. and referred at some length to his suggestions for a roA’ision of the education system, lii.s remarks being folloAved Avith close interest. Some' private deputations Avere also received. SCHOOLS VISITED. This morning at 9 o’clock Hon. 11. At more visited the District lligh School. He Avas accompanied by Mr .J. O’Brien, M.P., and Mon. TI. L. Michel, and avus met by Messrs Armstrong (Chairman), Conning and Richards, members of the Committee, and Mr E. Partridge (Rector).. The Minister made an inspection of the grounds and school, and then addressed the assembled teachers and scholars in front of the building. Tho light rain that had been falling cleared and the speeches Avere made Avithout discomfort

THE SPEECHES. Mr A. 0. Armstrong (Chairman ol the Committee) expressed his pleasure on behalf of the School Committee to extend :t hearty welcome to Hon. H. Atmore (Minister cif Education). .Mr Atmore held one of the most important' portfolios in the of the day, his duty being to look alter tha welfare of the school children o'i Mow Zealand. He had pleasure in extending a hearty welcome. Jlon. H. E. -Michel, Chairman of the Hokitika High School Hoard, joined in extending a sincere welcome to Mr Atmore. He (Air .Michel) had been inspired and refreshed in regard to educationa) matters, by the repent addresses of Mr Atmore in connection with education. He doubted it New Zealand was getting value if or the tour million pounds that the present system of education was costing. It had been a failure to realise that the country depended on its primary industries that had caused much waste, there being too much effort made to lead scholars to enter the Government service instead of giving them an inclination for a life on the land. He was glad to be present to welcome Mr Atmore to Hokitika.

Mr James O’Brien, ALP., was also pleased to be present to help introduce M,r Atmore. All over New Zealand there are schools and there were 250,000 boys and girls attending them. Air Atmore’s work was to sec that all of the children have suitable school buildings and that they are kept in good 'order, and that all the children 1 1 aye good teachers. He was the most sympathetic Alblister ol Education that the country bad ever had. He was glad to join in the welcome. Air A. C. Armstrong made apologies for the absence of the .Mayor (absent in Greymo-ath), Air R. Wild (mcnibc of the Canterbury Education Board . and Air T. W. Duff (member of the High School Board). Hon. Air Atmore said lie first wante'to acknowledge the cordial welcome given by the speakers and to expres bis own pleasure at seeing such a fin lot of boys and girls. Alight lie state that New Zealand boys and girls attending secondary schools were tin tallest and best, developed in the whole world. It was a tribute to the early settlers, it being recognised that New Zealand was settled by the finest colonising stock that had ever left any land. He asked them to think what education meant. It was not only the putting in of knowledge but the drawing out of the latent talent that the scholars possess. He did not believe that the present system was meeting the necessities of the people. He did not believe that the present system was suitable, because it was driving 05 per cent of the scholars to town occupations,* and the present unemployment was largely duo to this fact, that there were less going on the land and an over increasing town population. He believed the present education was dominated by too much of an academic system. He was entirely in favour of ii reduction of classes so as to enable teachers to thoroughly know each particular child under their care. As a noted writer bad written Education must proceed along the lines of discovered aptitude. tie wanted to commemorate this bis first visit to Vl'-'ki-Ftvn schools and would a sic the Committee rnd Rector to grant a lull holiday on a fine day that was suitable. (Applause.) Air Atmore concluded by again expressing Iris pleasure at meeting tlie teachers and children and t ebid them good-bye, stating other engagements further afield prevented his making a longer stay. The AI in is tor was accorded a round oif applause am 1 at the call of the Rector three very hearty cheers were given and tin gathering ended, the scholars bein' marched into school to continue then lessons. CONVENT VISITED. The -Minister and party then motored to St. C'olumbkiile’s Convent, where an inspection was also made and su sequcntly lie left for lvumara and Greymouth absent 10 o’clock.