E.—l

This was an active year for the Child Welfare Branch, particular attention being paid to the selection and training of personnel and to the preventive work of the Branch. Housemasters are being appointed in most of the boys' homes in order to make more possible the diagnostic and remedial work for which these homes exist. The Weraroa Boys' Training Farm was completely reorganized during the year, with very satisfactory results. Early in the war the main block of buildings was handed over to the Air Department, the boys being temporarily accommodated at Hokio and the Central Development Farm. A new institution block will be completed at Levin by the middle of 1940. An outstanding event of the educational year was the Centennial Exhibition, of which the Education Court contained a remarkable display of exhibits from schools of all types. May 1 express the Government's thanks to the multitude of persons, young and old, who contributed to the success of the Education Court. I would make particular mention of Mr. W. Y. Dyer, Chairman of the Wellington Education Board, and Mr. W. i. Deavoll, its Secretary, to whose efficient and devoted work in organizing accommodation over ten thousand school-children from all parts of New Zealand owe their opportunity to visit the Exhibition. Education is, in its very essence, a co-operative undertaking, and it would be no small task to enumerate in full the many organizations and groups of individuals who have collaborated with the Department throughout the year. All—administrators, teachers, members of controlling authorities, and others —have given skilled and generous service for which, I realize, they want no special thanks, but I should like them to know that the Government is appreciative of the work they have done for the children of New Zealand. I must make reference t'o the retirement of the Director of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, M.A., 1.5.0., although this actually took place in January, 1940, after the close of the year covered by this report. Of Mr. Lambourne's abilities, wisdom, and devotion to the cause of education I cannot speak too highly. Not the least of his contributions was the spirit of friendliness and mutual trust he did so much to establish between the Department and all those concerned with education. The Department suffered another loss during the year through the retirement of Dr. J. W. Mcllraitli, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, who had won for himself the respect of primary-school teachers throughout New Zealand. His place was taken by Mr. A. F. McMurtrie, Senior Inspector in the Department. Education, like all other social services, has felt the effects of the war, but every effort has been made, consonant with the prosecution of the war, to protect the essential work of the schools. A large number of teachers and students have joined the armed Forces, many of them in the positions of responsibility for which their training and educational background have fitted them. The rights of teachers serving with the Forces have been safeguarded •in every respect, so that no man will suffer professionally as a result of enlisting. Early in the course of the war Mr. E. Caradus, Senior Inspector of Secondary Schools, was seconded to the Air Department as Director of Educational Services, and he has secured the fullest co-operation from teachers and school authorities in the scheme for bringing applicants for admission to the Air Force up to the requisite educational standard. Yet ultimately the effects of the war on the schools may be deeper than any of these external changes can strike. There is amongst all concerned with education a growing realization that it is in the schools that future citizens must not only learn how democracy works, but must also develop a passionate belief in the fundamental human values for which democracy stands. How to achieve this more fully without resorting to the methods used in the totalitarian States is one of the major problems that faces the schools in every democratic country. I believe that it can be solved. 2. TYPES OF SCHOOLS. The present position in regard to our school system is outlined in last year's report.

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