TRADES SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 201, 26 August 1935, Page 6

TRADES SCHOOLS.

The recent admirable movement to establish a trades school in Auckland appears to be jeopardised by the announcement that apparently Mr. W. S. La Trobe, superintendent of technical education, desires this need to be met by evening classes and technical scbools for trade workers. Those who moved in the matter seemed to be desirous of helping those not in employment, and this surely is one of the most valuable aspects of the work. It must be apparent to observers that a fairly large proportion of children who lack the capacity to grasp theoretical and abstract teaching, and are therefore handicapped, are particularly clever with their hands, and to such a trades school should prove a great boon. At present the gateway to both technical and secondary schoo l education for these children, unless their parents are sufficiently well off to pay fees, is the proficiency test, and consequently many of those highly suitable for handicrafts are precluded from advancement. This fact would appear to give ample justification for provision to enable potential artisans to receive preparatory training in the actual trades which they wish to take up. Great Britain Ims approved this plan, and in spite of the report which"seems to express Mr. La Trobe's opinion, one can only hope that our present Minister of Education will not endorse the views appearing in your recent issue. For a considerable time T have felt that to confess that we are unable to do anything for any portion of our young manhood is a confession of weakness," and, on the other side, cruelty to many, who with right training might make skilled workmen and useful citizens. X. G. GRIBBLE.