EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1917, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

HON. J, A. HASSAN'S VISIT. After the arrival of the mail train lut night Mr. If. J. 11. Okay; M:P., introducod a deputation consisting of Messrs. S. (!. Smith, G. H. Dolby, W. 6. b»h' and A. K. Smart, representing the School Committees' Association.

Mr. Smith stated that he desired to place before the Minitser several questions that had been discussed by school committees. One question was that of increased capitation. School committecs found they had a good deal of extra work to do round schooiß. The increased cost of maintenance was decidedly irksome and an increase in subsidy would improve matters considerably. His second request dealt with a desire that there should he a uniform set of books throughout the Dominion. School committees had suffered a lot of inconvenience through this lac?; of uniformity. Another matter was that they desired that more publicity should bo given tQ the debates, of the Kducation Council, and he believed that this would be of great, assistance to those interested in educational matters. He then referred to urban areas and the selection of members of Education Boards, and laid that in Taranaki where there was only one main centre the suggested alteration might lead to the country members swamping the town representatives. He trusted that this matter would receive the Minister's most careful consideration. Mr. Dolby and Mr. Retd also addreiscd the. Minister. The latter referred to the junior cadet system, and believed this should be revived. He quoted figures showing the growth of the movement in other countries, and- mentioned that General Babington and the late Lord Kitchener spoke highly of the training of junior cadets. He thought that teachers should be encouraged to re-introduce this in the curriculum.

MINISTER IN REPLY. The Hon. .T, Hanan said th» question 5f increased capitation had beeij placed before him at Christdiurc*. There they asked for what was out of all reason, bearing in min-l the finances of ti>.e Dominion. At Ohristchurch they favorei a preferential rate, and that meant one rate for Canterbury, another for Auckland, etc. That also made it a difficult ■ 'Ucr to assess what should be paid vilin? cost of coal, etc. There would o'iie difficulty in making a universal "St. He hoped tlia* tiie Department be able to improve the subsidies Rnd thus improve the position of committees. Regarding the matter of free school hooks, a vote .was places on'tns Estimates, but the results wer« not satisfactory, particularly from a health point of view, Stiil the scheme ha<t worked well in America, Canada and Italy,, where it was very popular. He would not object to a uniform sot of hooks, but he believed that variety was desirable, in that the interest wag more sustained. Still the .question of uniformity lay in the Boards' hands. The Boards could do a lot. in this matter If they wished. Orography and history could very well be uniform but m reading matter he favored variety. Coming to the matter of publicity of'debates In the Council of Education a motion had been brought forward to admit the press, but the Council thought that many of tho matters discussed, whilst of inters eat to the teachers, might not be consids ered worthy of reporting in detail. The point raised was a new one and he would refer the matter to the Council. The next question was that by Mr. Dofty regarding bovs and trades. Ho thought) the hoys would secure better results if they remained at school till the age of 15 instead of 14. In England they haj continuance classes, and likewise m Amtralia. Compulsory day classes we» more desirablu than night school. In his opinion evening studies 'were not desirable, because a boy or girl after .a day's work was not in a fit mental state to study, feeing already fatigued. Til England the railway authorities allowed the young people off in the day to attend school, whilst they were further encouraged 'by the sotting up of debating societies, etc. The higher the standard of skill and schooling, the better were the results for the employer and for the worker. They all desired that their young folk be fftifled artisans. They should do everything to encourage a high standard of efficiency regarding our products, and this coijld bo secured by giving the boys every nssistance. He touched on boys and girls who left school too early,' before their education was completed", and later on paid the penalty. The comparison made by boys iivho had received a 'liberal schooling in the higher classes with those who had left earlier was remarkable; it was :\n eye-opener and made one wond if the Government, had got adequate results Tvom the money spent. He wm pure tin; cost would secure better results if tlioy persisted in the age being higher than M for leaving school. 'Mr. Rrid's' suggestion as to the reintroduction of junior cadets was next reviewed. He could not hold out any hopes of this at tho present time. He spoke plainly so as not to be misunderstood. He paid a specul tribute to tho work of t he Boy Scouts and hoped that this ivvork would grow". Tiie Minister invited questions, but the talk became conversational, arid tho deputation then retired after thanking the Mini.ier for tiie courteous hearing they had received.

TO-DAY'S ITINERARY. From tin- itinerary arranged for to* day it will bo sera that, the Hon. 3. A. Hanan Ims a busy day in front of him. Starting at 0 a.m. he will visit tha West End school, and then proceed t* the Westown district, to Vogeltown anil Fitzroy. At 11 a.m. ho will visit tha Girls' High School, proceeding afterward* to the girls' boarding house at Strandon. The Boys' High School and boarding house will also be visited.

At 2.30 p.m. he will meet the Board of Munition nt, the Education Board» office, whore also deputations from Wtstown Progressive. Association, and West End School Committee, and the Yogel(own and Fitzroy School Committees will wait on him.

At 7.3(1 p.m. a deputation from New Plymouth residents will wait on the Minister re the High School, and at 8 p.m. lie will meet the High School Board of Governors, Stratford will bo visited on Saturday.

The Minister has received a request From Hawera to meet a deoutation froo» the School Committee on his return.