AMERICAN TEACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1922, Page 7

AMERICAN TEACHERS.

WELCOMED TO CITY. '**"" A party of American school teachers arrived by the Makura yesterday, and were later accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson). There are twenty-five ladies in the party, the majority of whom are from Hawaii and surrounding islands, although several are from the Eastern States. Mr. C. Kirkpatrick, who is the headmaster of one of the Seattle schools, is also travelling with the party, several members of which are continuing the voyage to Sydney for the purpose of a short stay in Australia. The other members of the party intend touring the Dominion, and "ill rejoin their colleagues at Wellington and return to San Francisco by the Tahiti. The teachers have taken advantage of the long vacation, which extends from June until September. When extending a warm welcome to the visitors the Mayor read a telegram from the Hon. C. J. Parr. Minister of Education, in which he expressed his pleasure at the visit of the teachers. This could not but result, he said, in advantage to the teachers and children of both countries. He hoped that he would be able to meet the teachers and diecuss matters of educational interest with them. Mr. Gunson emphasised the long bond of aseocia-tion between the British people and the United States. The bond between the "Britishers of the South" and the citizens of the CJreat Republic was also strong. Good feeling betwepn the countries would be further strengthened by givh visits. ' On behalf of the inspectorial staff, Mr C. W. Garrard, 8.A., the senior ineneetor, welcomed the visitors. In the course of his remarks he stated that they would find so much in the Dominion thn't would interest them that they would be loth to leave New Zealand (Laughter.) He hoped they would return and make a much lon?er stay. Mr. G. W. Murray. on behali of the Education -Board. alsc ■welcomed the party. He likener! their yisit to a peaceful invasion If there bad been more visits of the kind, however, he believed there woulc have been no necessity for the Genos Conference or the discussion at The Hasrae. Educationists in the Dominioi ■were always pleased to welcome teaclien from the United States or Canada. Mr. E. C. Purdie and Mr. N. H. S. La-* respectively representing the Educatioi Board staff and the teaching profession also tendered welcomes.

Mr. Charles Kirkpatrick replied on behalf of the visitors, expressing their keen appreciation of the welcome that had been accorded them. He was satisfied that if the teachers of both countries inculcated into the minds of the hove and pirfe of the United State? and New Zealand the ideals and true aims of the Anglo-Saxon race it wouUl mean progress and the uplifting of the race generally. They were proud of their AmrloSaxon descent, and proud to meet the Xew Zealand members of the teaching profession, as the visit would undoubtedly mean a better understanding and eympathy. It must be to mutual advantage and understanding.