"BURNISHED IDEALS."

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1919, Page 2

"BURNISHED IDEALS."

NEW ZEALAND'S "SALVAGE CORPS." London, Dee. 20 Three of New Zealand's University professors, camouflaged respectively a"s ii -sergeant., a corporal, and a private, attended a conference of -educationists from the New. Zealand soldiers' camps in Midland a short lime ago. " At (his conference, explained Captain Kirk, Director of Education, New Zealand Forces, in the Westminster Central Hall last Tuesday, advice and assistance were given with regard to" the establishment of classes in all the camps. The problem dealt with by the Xew Zealand Armv education .scheme is that of keeping the troops engaged when military exercises are purposeless, and when it is time to turn the thoughts of the men to pursuits .of peace.

Already the sick and wounded have made progress from needlework in lied to. wood-carving and rajia weaving outside,, ami-'cabinet-making, drawhur, designing, ahd a-dozen other ttsefuf occupations have been taught. Limbless men have overcome their indifference, and in one class an ev-farm worker who lost his left arm, and has only the thumb on the right hand, has learnt to write shorthand at the rate of 70 words a minute Wind soldiers go to St. Dunstan's, where they receive light and guidance to the realms of self-support. Training in useful vocations has been given to many New Zenlnnd siek, wounded and convalescent soldiers, who are also taught how best to exercise their privileges as citizens. These men, says Captain Kirk, will be sent home with hurn,*hed ideals and a new inspiration for high citizenship.