The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 9, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 989, 9 May 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 9, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The moral training of the young, as a part of the public school course, has a champion in Professor McKenzie, an educationist with a progressive mental tendency. In an address before the Teachers’ lusdtute, in Wellington, he urged that the time had arrived when the very best talent in the Dominion should be requisitioned to compile a handbook for use in the public schools tor the inculcation of accredited moral ideas. He quoted a memorial presented by the teachers of Scotland in 1800 to the Commissioners ot Supply of the Counties of Scotland, and containing the following recommendation: —“That the system of education must be the best which keeps alive the affection of the parents towards their offspring, and calls forth the affection of the children

towards their parents, which does not disturb the current of domestic attachment, or replace lamily endearment, but gives constant scope to their exercise, while it varies, heightens, and exalts them. In this point ot view the parish schools of Scotland claim au importance which is far beyond their effects as mere seminaries of learning.” This view was as true today, said the prolessor, as it was a century ago. He was confident, however, that whatever teachers could see their way to undertake in connection with the moral training of the young under their charge, it would be a calamity to the profession if they allowed themselves to be dragged at the chariot wheels of sectarianism, more especially seeing that the churches bad ample opportunities for imparting such definite religious instruction as they deemed necessary.

Friction between the people and the authorities, and between nation and nation, is widespread at this interesting period of the world's history. Revolutions have followed one another with little intermission during late years, and threats of wars and concerted risings are heard in divers parts of the globe. Mexico is conspicuously in the limelight, and her trouble differs from those of certain small republics which, being situated in the tropics, are for ever bubbling over like pots on an over-heated stove. The tyranny of Diaz, and the abuses permitted by a farcical constitution, have stung into action the friends of liberty, and the rising may be expected to have results beneficial to the nation,, In other countries radical agencies are also struggling against enforced rule. Chinese agitators want a constitution, but are receiving little encouragement from the Regent. Even isolated Iceland is not free from disaffection, tor a movement is afoot for separation from Denmark, the leaders wishing to establish a semirepublican government with socialistic tendencies. The new Portuguese republic, it is rumoured, is not yet too firmly established. King Manuel’s sympathisers await a split in the Government, of which they may take advantage to restore the monarchy. In such au event the hope of the republic lies in the probability of the partisans of Dom Miguel of Braganza also entering the arena, when the republicans should win the threecornered contest. In Spain the position is particularly serious, and a revolt seems inevitable. The republicans want to not only dethrone King Alfonso but to form a federation of European republics, beginning with Portugal, lor the purpose of spreading republican rule to every European nation, f'he coming Spanish republic has taken such concrete form that many of the officers have already been elected. Despite its apparent disregard of any real danger, the monarchy has taken every precaution against a sudden outbreak. So much for revolutionary movements : international conflicts are likewise being courted in several quarters just now. Turkey and Greece are on anything but friendly terms, and America must be very tactful in all that affects Japan. The whole of Islam is ”0.1 its mettle,” and Hindustan is a menace. Christendom has some powerful enemies, and will be fortunate if, during the remainder of the year, it does not, through some representative nation, become implicated in a physical encounter with one or other ot the semi-barbarous groups.