EXPERTS WHO DIFFER.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17166, 24 March 1927, Page 4

EXPERTS WHO DIFFER.

Writing in the Wanganui Chronicle, Mr H. A. Parkinson, secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute, takes issue with Mr Mark Cohen, of Dunedin, on the question of jumor high schools. "W7hen he says that these schools will soon go out of existence," says Mr Parkinson, he is assuming an attitude that is most surprising to those who know him. 1 It is true there are some people ! who would, if they could, put them ! out of existence, but these are the ! rdactionaries, the descendants of the ! memorable lady who tried to stop ! with a broom the rising of the tide. ! As she failed, so will they. In every t country there is growing a sense 1 0f the need of better cultivation Oi i the human qualities embodied in the • voung. The need of the age is for ; Intellect and character— trained 1 brains and disciplined wills, and : what is to supply them but im- ; proved education, and what is to ( give the improved education but t some form of post-primary s,chool? j Mr Cohen was wrong when he said i the usefulness of these schools was j not proved. The usefulness of them I in some form, and the necessity for ! them have been "admitted in every | advanced country. Whether, on 1 their introduction in tbis country, « they have been given, together with | a bad name, an unsuitable form, is ! a matter 'of detail that admits of j discussion and subsequent adjustI ment. This Dominion is threatened ' with a temporary financial string- | ency, which it will pass through and in two or three years will have forgotten. It is, however, being made the most of as an argument for retrenchment with frequent reference ot the cost of education and the needi for economy. It is an occasion when long views are required. World competition goes ever stronger and the nation that is to hold up its head among the other nations of the world must mobilise its resources. 'Intellect and character — brain-power and will-power — are the greatest of all the national ( resources — greater even than butter ; fat and fat lambs. Nothing can enj able this or, any nation to do its I best in the face of world competi- ' tion but training to the highest ati tainable standard the native qualij ties of its people. That is why the j 'Junior High,' under that name or i some other, has an indispensable part to play in the making of the nation of the future. The standard of national education that was good enough for the past generation is not good enough for the present. and still less will it suffice for the future."