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Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3219, 13 November 1880, Page 2

Last session there was a debate in the House of Representatives on the subject of technological education, but it was felt that the opporcunity was not favourable tor giving practical effect to the recom-

mendations of tho various speakers. Any proposal to add to the burdens of the ; country at a time when the watchword was . severe retrenchment in all branches of : tho public services would have been unpopular, and therefore unsuccessful, and the gentleman who mooted the subject only did so with the object of preparing the mind of tho country for some practical scheme at a more favourable juncture. Wo trust. however, that next Bossion a committee if tho House will bo appointed to enquiro into the subject. In the neighbouring colonies there is a strong demand for establishment of technological schools as a moans of educating the population in the higher branches of industrial art, and thus enabling tho next generation to compete with foreign countries in the raanufactuic of the raw products of tho soil, instead of continuing to be dependant on supplies of imported goods. Sir Homy Parkcs recently presided at a conforouco in Sydney, which was attended by many influential representatives of educational institutions, trade societies, and local manufactories, aud at vhich tho establishment of technological institutions throughout New South Walos was trcnuously advocated. It was pointed out that tho School of Arts in Syduey hud already accomplished much good by imparting special training to persons engaged in different pursuits in order to better qualify them for the trades and professions. New South Wales now possesses 80 mechanic institute!", with an aggregate of 54,000 volumes in their libraries, and it is now proposed that a Technological Collego shall be established in Sydney, which shall form tho centre of organised industrial training throughout the colony. Tho credit of initiating tho Couforonco is duo to the Trades and Labour Council, which distributed circulars and iv other ways aroused interest in this important subject. Mr Edward Coombes, C.M.G., one of tho speakers of tho Conferenco, described the roinarkablo benelita conferred by technological institutions in various parts of tho world which ho had visited, and pointed out how countries which continued to sell their products to foreign manufacturers, iustead of developing their own skill and labour saviug machiucry, would bo retarded in their natural progress aud prosperity, tho expansion of their commerce, tho growth nnd comfort of their population, aud generally in tho social happiness of tho community. Tho following resolution was unanimously agreed to :—" That it is thcreforo respectfully suggested that tho Government should institute a proper system of technical education in science aud art throughout the colony, under tho direction of competent, lecturers and teacher?, and that the instruction afforded bo principally of a practical character." In this colony nothing whntever has been dono in this direction, though there arc some healthy signs of an awakening perception of its importance. A few weeks nt;o a deputation waited on the Piomier at Christchurch and urged tho Government to take action. Mr Hull was obliged to confess a lamentable ignorance of tho subject ot toclmoloxicalcducation, but promised, in tho usual stereotyped form, to bring the matter under tho notico of the Cabinet. Tho fact is, our Now Zoaland politicians aud leaders of public opiuion become fossilised by long residence iv the colony, and have no conception of the rapid march of industrial development iv other countries. Wo arc glad to ace that an Industrial Exhibition is to bo hold in Duncdiu next year, and that it is proposed to erect a buildiut! that will bo permanently available for tho purpose, or for public recreation when not required far the primary object for which it will bo orcctcd. Wo trust sorno one of our most influential citizens will initiate a similar movement iv Auckland. On however humble a scale the first attempt mi^lit bo, it would be a beginning, and would year by year develop.