INTERESTING ADDRESS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5159, 1 August 1927, Page 2

INTERESTING ADDRESS.

VIEWS ON EDUCATION.

MR. POLAND AT ORPHANS’ CLUB.

A very interesting address was given at last Thursday night’s session of the Paeroa Orphans’ Club by the Guardian, Bro. H. Poland, who was chosen to preside ove'r the gathering. In opening Mr Poland reminded the brethren that it was customary for the chairman at a session to contribute “something serious” after the supper adjournment. He had thought of speaking on Sport, but later on he was of the opinion that the subject of Education was of greater interest and value. Mr Poland said that education was usually defined as the process of drawing but or developing the faculties of the individual or the training of human beings for the various functions of life. One of the main objects aimed at by present-day teachers was to develop the character, the mind, and the will of the child along proper lines, and to make him think and act for himself. This, of course, must not be the sole aim, because education must always to a large extent consist in imparting information and in teaching the pupil to acquire information for himself. There was, in his opinion, nothing more remarkable in the. history of this country, and, indeed, of all British countries, than the advance which of late years had been made in the diffusion and in the quality of education. The progress- in population, in wealth, and in other material form was very great, but greater still, and f,ar more important, was the progress in the development of the intellectual faculties of the people. It was not so very many years ago that a large percentage of the adult population of the country was wholly illiterate—could neither read nor write. To-day probably not one in a thousand was in that unfortunate position. Educational reformers were to-day demanding that all children, even those of the poorest parents, should be- 1 supplied with the best education the country provided, and though in theory this was probably desirable, yet it would involve an enormous: cost to the State in feeding and clothing thousands of children whose parents were to-day making great sacrifices to give their children even a poor primary education. Education in New Zealand was free and compulsory until each child attained the age of fourteen years or passed the 6th standard, and after that there were so many opportunities through free places and scholarships for extending %this education that a large percentage of our pupils continued at least for three years at a secondary or high school. Of course, it was said by many people that we were teaching young meh and women a great variety of things which would be of. no use to them in the career which they were destined to pursue, and thereby were not only wasting their time, but pampering to their vanity and conceit. This-, however, the speaker said he did not agree with, and thought those were most vain and conceited who were most ignorant. A man had to know a great deal before he realised to the full the immensity of his ignorance. He believed that a range of knowledge did not hamper, but benefited, a man in whatever career he was destined for. And this applied equally to a young man who- became a blacksmith or carpenter or wharf kibourer as to one who took law or medicine for a profession. It was certain that the more a young man knew of a great variety of subjects, and the more he exercised his faculties in acquiring a great range of knowledge, the better he would perform his duties in life, whatever those duties were. Mr Poland said that in this country. where there were no class distinctions and where education was so widely availed of, there were no positions which were not attainable by the son of the most humble person. If one had talent and ability; if above this he had perseverance and' good conduct, there was no position in the country to which any man might not aspire and to which he might not attain. There were many examples of the truth of this in our judges, our legislators, and our leading commercial men. Mr Poland referred to the- necessity of having a sound mind in a sound body, and commended the; provision made in our public Schools to give effect to this. He also put in a word for competitive examinations and judicious “cramming” of pupils under proper conditions. He likewise- dealt with education in New Zealand and its cost, showing that we provided primary, secondary, technical, and university education ; that we had special schools for the deaf, and for the feeble-minded ; industrial schools for neglected children ; special schools for the Native race : and even correspondence schools for chilrdren in the most isolated districts. Finally Mr Poland made a strong plea to the parents of all children to give them the best education they could possibly afford, and stated bis belief that there was nothing those children would appreciate so much in after life as any sacrifices made by their parents for this purpose.