HELPFUL ADDRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 51, 9 December 1932, Page 3

HELPFUL ADDRESS

TWELVE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL BREAK-UP,

MR A. L. JONES'S REMARKS

An interesting address to the pupils of the Ashburton Technical School was given at the break-up ceremony this afternoon by Mr A. L. Jones (chairman of the Board of Managers). Addressing his remarks primarily to those pupils who were about to leave the School, Mr Jones said they had been associated with the School for a year, two years, three years and in some cases longer. Their ultimate desire had been to fit themselves to their station in life.

"Education in its broadest sense," he said, "does not necessarily mean teaching people what they do not know; it to a degree means teaching them to behave as they do not behave. It is not teaching youth the shapes of letters and tricks with numbers, and then leaving his acquisitibn to be turned into undesirable avenues, and his knowledge of literature to lust. It means, on the contrary, training them into perfect exercise in kingly continence of their bodies and souls. It is a painful, continual and difficult work, to bo done by kindness, by observation, by guidance, by precept, and by praise, but above all by example. "What we have a right to expect of New Zealand boys and girls as a result of their passage through schools, is that they shall turn out to be good New Zealand men and women. The individual can best become, good by being good in youth. Not a goody-good, but just plain good. I do not mean they -must love only the negative virtues; they must love the positive ones also. Good in the largest sense, should include all that is fine, straight-for-ward, clean, grave. "The best young people I know, the best older people I know, were good at their studies and their business, fearless, and stalwart, hated and feared by all that was wicked and depraved, incapable of submitting to wrong-doing, and equally incapable of being aught but tender to the weak and helpless. Use of Knowledge. "To those of you who are about to enter in your chosen career, be it in an office, in a trade or on the land, carry with you the knowledge of your calling acquired at school and use it to the best advantage," continued Mr Jones. "Experience will broaden, and lengthen your knowledge. Let the principles of good citizenship, good character and all that goes to make a real man or woman, which have been inculcated into you by your teachers at school and parents at home, radiate from you and reflect credit to both your school and parents. "It is upon the activities and behaviour of those who pass through this school when in their occupations that judgment is passed. The traditions of your school demand your attention to what 1 have said—do nothing that will reflect detrimentally upon the high esteem of your school. You are going out into the world to create new traditions, to bring fresh laurels of quality and credit to your Alma Mater. "You, as young men and young women, are about to face the world in extraordinary times—times that will apply the acid test to your courage and grit, and prove your worth. This afternoon you are boys and girls. To-morrow you are young men and women, taking, your place in the larger life'for which your years of schooling have been preparing you. Responsibilities of citizenship will automatically fall upon your shoulders as you pass through that gate after this ceremony. Do you realise your responsibilities? If you do, then it is your duty to accept them. In but a short time the reins of Government will fall into your hands, directly or indirectly, and it is for you to apply the ideals which have been' fostered by your education and the -knowledge so assimilated to the solution of besetting problems—social, municipal, national, perhaps international. The School of Life. "Your thoughts and actions should not be confined to merely sell-aggrand-isement but to the betterment of all those with whom you will be associated, society as a whole. Your life's activities up to the present have been confined to the four walls of practical and theoretical education combined with the development of your physical self. You arc now enrolling in the greatest of great schools—that of life—and becoming a pupil to the most exacting and hard teacher—that of experience, if you have been assiduous in your studies, true to your conscience and honest in purpose, your entry into your new role is handsomely facilitated.

"You have reached the experimental stage of life. You must put into practice your teachings and work out your own salvation. Your efforts will be attended by success or failure. By the former will you be inspired to further conquest; by failure will you be taught the error of your ways and develop the desire to overcome your difficulties by care, thought and precision'. Failure is the first assistant to experience. As this subtle teacher moulds . your life, so will come originality in thought, consciousness of effort, success, and satisfaction of being a separate entity in life's schemo of things, the satisfaction of your contribution to the things that matter in this world you live in. To my mind there are twelve golden rides to he observed throughout life for success and happiness.

"(I) The value of time; (2) The success of perseyerenee; (3) The pleasure of working; (4) The dignity of simplicity; (5) The worth of character; (G) The power of kindness; (7) The influence of example; (8) The obligation of duty; (9) The wisdom of economy; (.10) The virtue of patience; (11) The improvement of talent; and (12) The joy of originating. Combine these principles with your belief and faith In Christianity and your life, despite its many failures, set-backs, and disap-

pointnients, will be a noble one."

Mr Jones referred to those pupils who would continue their studies next year and to them he said:— "You have had a year of continuous study. During the recess, forget all your little trials and tribulations, forget your studies, but do not forget your learning. Take the opportunity of availing yourself of exercise, recreation, fresh air and sunshine. By so doing you will resuscitate your mental centres, improve your health and return' next year full of energy and vigour, keen to re-assume your lessons. Mental development goes hand in hand with physical culture. It is of little use placing valuable composition in a weak container. In a like manner, it is unwise to forego your health in an effort to load yourself with knowledge. A healthy and well-developed body aids to a healthy and well-developed mind.'.' Concluding, Mr Jones offered his congratulations to the pupils who would later receive and added a few words of encouragement to those from whom the laurels of victory had been withheld. He extended congratulations on the past year and wishes for a happy and useful vacation.