THE YOUNG NEW SUNDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 98, 24 April 1908, Page 5

THE YOUNG NEW SUNDER.

! INTERESTING COMPARISONS.

PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.

At the quarterly meeting of the Auckland Educational Institute this morning, an interesting address was given by Mr. H. A. . Milnee, 8.A., Principal of the Training College, who has recently airived from England. Jβ* Milnei dre w same interesting comparison* of the differences existing in the educational systems dt home and in New Zealand. Referring to the hygienic advantage* enjoyed in the Dominion, Mr Milnes said that New Zealand school children had the opportunities of splendid playgrounds, atid at Mt. Eden and Epsom the children had playing areas which home Schools could never approach. In fact many English schools had no playgrounds at all, and the only recreation are* was that 'provided «tt the' roofs. In New Zealand schools he also thought they were much more patriotic, and he had never seen such a display at home as he had seen here, while none of the schools' possessed flagstaff a similar to thcee he had seen in New. Zealand!. . One disadvantage was that in the Dominion there were practicially no swimming baths connected with the schools, and he thought there was room for a lAg improvement in this respect. "It adds 20 per cent, to one's enjoyment Of life to come to New Zealand and see the children here," said Mr. Milnes, "after witnessing the condition* under which they live at hdme. It Ss.often painful to see the sufferings of the little children in England, where there is so much acute poverty, And one feels s6 utterly powerless to assist. So that it is a treau to come to New Zealand ana sec people who are healthy and happy, and have time to laugh. In some of the Home schools it is actually necessary to provide the children with breakfast before trying to teach them, otherwise they would not possess the strength to ao their work."

"In New Zealand," added Mr Milne, "you get a better class of pupil in the State school. At home the man who can afford it will not allow his child to attend the State school, but in the Dominion there is altogether a different' Reeling, and the children Of the rich, as well as the poor, attend, so that it is evident. that parents realise the State school is the best the State can do. Here the children Seem to possess more intelligence, and more initiative. Probably it is environment which is responsible for thin fact,'but it is true that the teachers have much better material to work upon, and the children show more resource, and a greater ability to tackle, problems!"

Touching on the question of corporal punishment, the speaker said it was to be regretted that there was a strong movement at home in favour of the abolition of corporal punishment. In his opinion it was impossible to do without it. He did not believe any teacher could manage a class of So boys for three months and maintain discipline without holding over them the fear of punishment. Iα his experience there h.id never been a teacher who could do without it. He looked upon it as a last resort, but he believed that for the moral training of children it was necessary' to have some such form of punishment. Speaking on the matter of the school curriculum, Mr Milnes said he thought that, in New Zealand schools the subject of physical geography Was overdone, While singing he did not regard as being properly attacked. Referring to the status and duties of New Zeaund teaches, he said they were in a much better position than English teachers, though their salaries worked out. at about the same. One department in the New'"Zealand schools, however, he thought needed special attention, and that was the teaching of infante. To place 120 infante in one class he regarded as little short of criminal. Mr Milnes dealt at length with' other subjects of interest to teachers, and. at the conclusion of his address was given a hearty vote of thanke.