WE WANT THE YOUTHS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 301, 15 May 1911, Page 7

WE WANT THE YOUTHS

MR. H. HILL'S IDEAS. NEW ZEALAND AND LONDON. Mr. Henry Hill, Chief Inspector of Schools in the Hawke's Bay Education district, landed in Wellington the other day on his return from a visit to America and England. Whilst abroad Mr. Hill delivered a number of lectures on New Zealand and other subjects, and visited a great many educational institutions in order to come into close touch with the latest developments in the school training of the young. He is convinced that radical changes are needed in the education system of New Zealand. Talking of his travels to a Dominion reporter, Mr. Hill found serious fauk with some matters connected with New Zealand's representation in London. "I think," he said, "that it is a great reflection on New Zealand that our Government should be so backward, as compared with other colonial Governments, in providing suitable places to display New Zealand products. One sees in some of the principal streets of London, including the Strand, fine premises where Australian products are always on exhi. bition, changes being constantly made for the purpose of keeping up the interest of the public. Photographs, maps, and pictures arc also shown, and, indeed, anything likely to draw the attention of English people towards the colony concerned. New Zealand, on the other" hand, simply has a building in Westminster, looking like a private honsc, and unless one makes inquiries, one would never hear of it, and one cannot get any information about this Dominion without specially asking for it. I am sure it would pay the New Zealand Government handsomely to obtain premises in one of the main streets, and utilise them in exhibiting and making known its characteristics.

"A serious defect of a different kind isi that men who want to take up land in New Zealand cannot obtain in London any information as to what Crown land is available. They cannot afford to come to New Zealand with a view to taking their chances in the land ballots. I have already published the suggestion that all Crown lands opened up and not selected within a certain time should be withdrawn from selection in New Zealand, and particulars sent to the High Commissioner's Office. These lands should then be available for intending settlers, who could go into the particulars in London, and they should also have the chance, like others, of applying for land after they arrive in New Zealand. "As to immigrants other than intending settlers, I refuse to recommend any steps to bring working men out here. Those who come should be more specially trained in some suitable work. I am entirely opposed to flooding the country with laboring men. They have as good a right to consideration as doctors, lawyers, or parsons, and we should think it a strange thing to bring out a lot of professional men to compete with those who are here already. If we provided them with ample opportunities of settling on the land, of course, the position would be different. "The true way for New Zealand to obtain the best citizens is to appeal to the youth of, England. Get them to come out here«whil«. their habits have yet to be formed;',anai.you will get settlers who *wiHnbe of; more, value to this'country than any Other'asSefcWfti want "the youths."