EDUCATION REFORM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 198, 7 June 1929, Page 2

EDUCATION REFORM

"A MAN-SIZED TASK."

APPROVAL OF MR ATMORE'S POLICY.

(Special to the "Guardian."* ' AUCKLAND, June 6. i Owing to the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Harry Atmore represented the Government and was th£ principal guest at the Auckland Advertising Qlub's luncheon. Mr C. H. Codlin, manager of the Auckland "Herald," was in the chair. The Minister addressed the gathering at the invitation of the chairman, and dealt with the necessity for a change in the educational system on the lines of his previous public utterances. At the conclusion of the address Dr. E. P. Neiale, secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said that hecounted it as an honour to be called upon to propose a vote of thanks to Mr Atmore for his able and interesting address to the members of the club. The question of education reform in this country was a most difficult one, but Mr Atmore had convinced all oi them that he was working on the right lines. (Applause.) For years our education system had been too much dominated'' by traditions copied from the Old Country, which were quite unsuitable for New Zealand conditions. He instanced the study of French in our secondary schools. This was the outcome of'the fact that England was only a few hours' sail from France, but New Zealand was very much further afield. It would be much more logical if the children in the schools of the Dominion had to study Japanese or Maori. The question of the bias which the education system should give was a most important one, and they wei'.e pleased to have Mr Atmore's assurance that he would see to it that there was a bias in the direction of farming pursuits. There was, of course, the danger that we might go too far. At the present time only a small section of the population was engaged upon work on the land. It was certainly a move in the right direction to create a taste for the land, but side by side with the Minister's efforts there would require to be increased facilities for settlement upon the land. Mr Atmore had before him a man-sized task, but after listening to his address they were all convinced that there was a man-sized* man in charge of the portfolio of Education at the pnesent time. They all wished the Minister every success. The motion was carried by acclamation and with much enthusiasm.