AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 June 1907, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN MAIL CONTRACT

STATE PIiI'.MIICRS REFUSE SEPARATE (iI'AiIANTEES. Received .lime 1. 12.2!) ii.m. Brisbane, May 31. Sir .1. Forrest conveyed to the Premier*' Conference .Mr. Rent's scheme for subsidising tile until syndicate. The proposal was that two or more States should enter into an agreement to guarantee the debenture-holders' interest to the extent of £125,000 annually.

The Conference unanimously resolved, on the motion of Sir. Swinburne, that the States will not give the guarantee :i>ked for, and urges the Federal Clovcrnmciil to take immediate stops to arrange a satisfactory contract.

IMPERIAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE

London, May 3D. j At the Education Conference Air. Ailf.nison Melbourne, suggested the formation of a union of the gract boys' schools of the Umpire through the Old Boys' Association. The League of Empire would be a suitable organising centre.

Mr. Tate, Victoria, addressing the training and teachers' section, said though immense good arises through teachers being in close association with a university, it Was necessary to sound a note of warning. A distinguished university career was not a substitute for power to teach. The Victorian experience had proved that a preliminary period as junior assistant was important before entering ou the training college course. _

Mr. Williams, Director of Education, Adelaide, addressed the Native (study section and outlined the South Australian system. PROPOSED BUREAU OF INFORMATION. Received 31st, 9.19 p.m. London, May 31. The Education Conference discussed Universities and the Empire. Lord Cur/.on apologising for his absence, wrote that no greater mistake than to treat the Universities of the Colonies and other component parts of the Empire with aloofness, could be made. The Conference was of supreme merit, as is pre-supposed equality of interest, and purpose. Hon. Arthur Balfour delivered an important speech, dwelling on the preposterous importance the Universities attached to examinations. He regarded a post graduate course as the highest and most valuable work of the Universities, and hoped that a mutual arrangement between the Universities of the Empire might be made, not only to stimulate post-graduate research, but to encourage its prosecution by members travelling throughout the Empire, bringing about close community of interest in matters of the highest interest. intimately the Conference resolved it was desirable that a commiteo representing Universities be formed to investigate the possibility of exchange of information among the Universities of the Empire relating to course nnd standard. Sir Gilbert Parker hinted that, if a bureau of information wore established, lie would be able to obtain a certain. amount of money for its support. Sir Phillip Jones said a bureau of information would bring about a muchneeded interchange of students.