TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7733, 1 March 1909, Page 1

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

In an address dealing with technical education, Earl Grey, the GovernorGeneral of Canada, said that one thing which was of as nnich national importance to Canada as the tariff question lay in the skill and efficiency of the rising generation of the citizens which would result from a: thoroughly efficient technical education system. He regretted that the British North America Act rather handicapped „tha Federal Government in the matter of helping educational projects financially. His Excellency stated that a short time ago one Englishwoman had bjher own unaided efforts called a conference of educational experts from all parts of the Empire, and that this remarkable achievement had had most excellent results. Earl Grey said he would venture to prophesy that at the Imperial Conference fixed for 1911 the first motion raised would be connected with branches throughout the Empire which should always be in touch with the central" bureau. Such a proposal, if carried into effect, would, he said, be of immense benefit to Canada, where each section of the country had its own separate and different system of education. For the successful realisation of such a fine scheme all Canada, his Excellency declared, should unite in a great and steady effort, the result of which would bring about a reformation of the Dominion's educational methods, and be an incalculable benefit to the--future generations of its citizens. The Federal Government have now under consideration a proposal that a Federal Commission should be appointed to investigate the whole question of technical education in Canada. The movement- is strongly endorsed by the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, and indeed by the leaders of thought and enterprise throughout the country.