THE GOVERNOR ON EDUCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 366, 17 September 1874, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR ON EDUCATION.

In the cour.se of his speccli at the banquet given in his honor at Wellington, Sir James JForgusson said : — The want of education and the want of zeal on the part of the people in the cause of education, gi\'e rise to much anxiety in the minds of many thoughtful men ; and whatever be the course of events in the colony, I am also sure there is no subject of more importance than to see that before many years pass over there shall be no child living, except those living very remote from centres of population, who has not received a sound education. (Hear.) But, gentlemen, let me remind you with all respect, that it is not sufficient to have a school in every hamlet, it is not sufficient to set apart funds for its maintenance, it is not sufficient to compel a child to attend it,, but to see that those under whose charge tho children are placed, are thoroughly competent to teach them. 1 1 will not do for those to become schoolmasters with whom othor trades have failed. (Hear.) Education, if it bo not real, will produce but poor effects ; and a schoolmaster himself is of a. highly honorable and scientific profession. Tho art of teaching mv.st be taught, and it is not sufficient children .should Ijo sent trooping to school for a certain number of hours every day, unless Parliament sees that the education t)int is givon there gives a fair return for the moneY that is expended on it, and unless pay- \' - *

meat be mule contingent on results, and these resalts be ascertained by iiubpenideiit inspection, you cannot for a moment depend tli.it your education will be satisfactory. Bat, gentlemen, to have schoolmasters, which arc absolutely neteosary for the pjurpose, you must manufacture them for yourselves. , The supply ut Home is not greater thljfjthe Remand ; and you must have the means of 'preparing your schoolmasters in the first place, and make the profession one of honor, so that the most important profession in the country may attracti a fair shaie of the best men to be got. I was privileged in the province of Canterbury to lay the foundation stone of the first Normal School in New Zealand ; and I was glad to know that it was to be erected and maintained on a scale which, might be expected to produce an adequate supply of schoolpiasters, not only for that prov&ce^'biitj aM for others. I know that Otago is doing something in the same direction, but all New Zealand is not comprised in Otago and Canterbuiy. If I might take advantage of my position to do so, I would most earnestly commend this subject to your individual attention. It 1 lias oft&i Deeir Said" that in these communities one prevalent evil and danger is undisciplined youth. In some countries this has risen to an evil of great magnitude. How, gentlemen, is this evil to be guarded against and checked but by home and. school "discipline ? Home discipline the State cannot, supply, but school discipline it is its solemn duty, to Beoure. With abundant schools, with organisations such as are wholly "\> ithin means to secuie, you Avill raise up a population to whom you may safely confide the destinies of the country ; for I firmly believe that, among an educated population, no matter how far the franchise be extended, you may look for the only true pancea against class jealousies, and the only safeguard against national j corruption. (Cheois).