Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1911. COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10224, 27 April 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1911. COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

The question of restoring the balance between capital employed merely for its dividend increment, and capital so employed as to produce concurrently with the proper interest for its owner good employment for his fellow-citizen, is one which vitally affects the people of New Zealand, as it does those of other portions of the British Empire. The subject is at present being actively discussed hy prominent thinkers in the Old: World. Lord Furness, in a thoughtful article in "The Times," say§ that slowly we are realizing the need for scientific research—the value of pure research ere the stage of applying result is reached. The actual work hitherto done in the way of technical education is only now dimly making itself felt, and too many of us still regard it as an unnecessary addition to the impost of rates and taxes we are called upon to bear—we are so concerned for immediate results. But the whole thing needs to be gathered up, and toned up as well. We need some genius of organization, some heavensent Minister of Commerce, to gath-

er up into an effective whole the sound, though rather blind, efforts that are going on around ub in a variety of directions, to the end that our country may reach to higher attainment in the progress of the world. Technical education in more liberal measure, scientific research generously encouraged these on the home side would yield abundant returns. Abroad our Consular service needs a wholly new development from the commercial standpoint. And between home and ■abroad there is a great gap to be filled in the training and equipment of men as "business bringers"—demanding almost a new profession. We have chartered institutes for all sorts of professions and quasiprofessions, conferring a status that attracts men of good all-round education. Why not a Chartered Institute of International Commerce? Business education as a | whole has most (inadequate attention, and is very limited in operation, and is confined mainly to the preparation of those who are feeling their way at the' threshold. Here alone there is need far wise national effort in making the lowlier ways of commerce more readily accessible; but when one cojnes to consider the equipment of youth for the prosecution of commercial transactions of a high order thero is a distinct 'blank. It is left entirely to individual initiative how best to set about achieving the object in view • what languages to acquire and how best to acquire them in order that one may be able to operate independently in any business affair; the commercial methods of our rivals, their banking arrangements and financial systems ; the distribution of national resources; methods "of transit and the course of trade generally ; and so on and on over the whole ground, A school of men graduated upon some such method would be invaluable to the trade and traders of this country. Given that it were established, we should; hear little or nothing of our insular methods in commerce; our wares would be put before the peoples < f the world in a manner that would meet with their ready opp-ihen-sion, and it would be an easy matter for any manufacturer to acquaint himself of and to comply with the exact desires and wishes of his customers.