The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1903. THE RESIGNATION OF THE HON. W. C. WALKER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 199, 24 June 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1903. THE RESIGNATION OF THE HON. W. C. WALKER.

The resignation of the portfolio of Education by the Hon. W. 0. W.-lk-r, U.M.G., will be a matter for regrot by everyonewho has the c.juse of cdusatioa at heirt, During the term that he has filled and adorned the important position, education in New Zedaad his made wonderful stride?, and, more than that, the progress has been of a niture which will leave its impress ou the history of the colony. Mr Walker becsane Minister of Educa'ion on tho 11th March, 1896, on tho resignatioa of Mr W. P, Reeves. Du irg hi* term of office Mr Walker has had to submit to a good deil of hostile cri ioism from a section cf the membcw of the Houss who res-nted h ; s heiog out ff their rea hj, by reason c f h's being a morabtr of the Upper Chamber of the L gis la'u-p, dtid who were thus unVi.l-j to indulge in the bear baiting fo de-.rt their natures. In our opinion, it is much bet'er for the Minister fur Education to sit in the Uppir Home, as the poaitien is not, and ehould not be made, a party one. What is wanted is the adoption of the system prevailing at, Home where, when the Minister is ia' the House o? Lords, the various departments are represented in the Lower House by a Parliamentary Secretary, who is a member of tho House! Tiiis is ppUn.iid training for a! future Minister, and keeps both Houses in touch with the working of the Departments. Another change we shoald like to s-e adopted is to separate the pcsiti.n of .InspectorGeneral from that of Secretary for Bduciti'on. The time has come in our opinion for this to bo done and we commend the idea to Mr Seddon, who has taken over this important department. The Under-Secretijy, Sir E. 0. Gibb?, hss filled his present position with the utmost credit, and should bs promoted to the effioe of Secretary for Education so that the Inspector-' Genera! can devote his whole time to the important and growing duties of his department. Is would occupy! more space than we can spare to refer] to the many improvements effected durieg Mr Walker's term of office, tut' the way in which he has placed secor.d ary education within the reach o? al, land the advancement in manual and technical education is beyond all praise. We feel euce, as time passes away, his great services will be rccngnwed more and more, and wa hope ha will live long to enjoy a well-earned res'-, from the cares and responsibilities of effic.