THE MAKING OF CITIZENS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43089, 7 May 1907, Page 4

THE MAKING OF CITIZENS.

Wie live in an age of professedly educational progress, but there are not a few Who “hae their doots” as to whiither we are tending. Old ideas and antiquated methods die hard and there is some ground for the fear

that the pendulum is swinging too far. in the new direction; that in our newly found horror of cram;; in our sudden enthusiasm for the cultivation of the powers of observation and rear eondng wie are neglecting the cultivation off memory. Mr Petrie in his ainjniiin.l report on the I Auckland Schools rejoice® .in the knowledge that “not a few of our , most thoughtful

head teachers entirely disapprove of the discontinuance of such examination. as is now carried out by inspectors in all our larger sfchooTs.” It' makes ini a high degree for thoroughness and intelligence in teaching. We do not imagine that anyone will seriously object to this expression of opinion. Examinations are 'by no menus ideal tests of knowledge or of progress, and at is beyond all doubt that, credited with undue importance they become a positive evil. We trust that never again will oiuir children be driven through the several grades without regard to their health and mental capacity. We are, however,

digressing from our mlain theme, which has been suggested by the receipt- of a tNjeiw Zealand edition of the Rfc. Hon. Hi. 0. Amold-Foeter’s “Citizen Header,” lan avowed effort to interest children of from twelve to fourteen years of age “in the principles which should actuate them as patriotic citizen®” in emlbryo. As a matter of fact the majority of adults will probably find in its pages a great de>al that will instruct as well as interest. this Romans, who were by no means- ideal educationists 1 , the practice of gymnastics, the study' of the iStalian hymns,, and! of the Twelve Table® of the Roman I/aw,

which be it remembered is the foundation of English law, produced “men the mCst robust, the most courageous, the best! disciplined, the most patriotic that ever Hived.” And even if iin

her profound disregard for the idealistic, IR|oane tfajitled to devfelop the artistic and humanist side of her people, site accustomed them from infancy to consider the law as something' natural, inviolable, aind sacred, and) made them prouder of the right to isay “Riomamus iSum” than of auight else. "We hlavie not yet reached this height and until recently history was studied as a series of events and nothing more, but it is now imperative that the children. in the upper classes shall receive definite instruction on such topics as Leading Principles otf the British Constitution — New Zealand and other farms of Col-

onial {government'—The privileges and duties of a citizen as a member of the Efrupire, otf) the 'State or Colony, and of tlhie Municipality—The Franchise—Election—Labour —Rates and Takes. That these and kindred subjects dan: he made really interesting is evident from a perusal of the little book before u®. We offer it as a suggestion to our local Committees that ai number of copies be olaided in the school libraries to be used as sup-

plementary readers. We hold that no effort should be spared! to fmibue our Children) “with a spirit of true patriots ism-—ai spirit that will make them feel it la as sweet and beautiful to

live for one's country as it is to die for her. Thev shlould leartn by experience in school life that neglected privileges take to themselves wings and fly away and hence that the good citizen uses his privileges and thereby guards his rights.