N.E.F.

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22431, 18 June 1938, Page 18

N.E.F.

* A VALUABLE RECORD

Modern Trends in Education. Proceedings of the New Zealand N.E.F. Conference. Edited by A. E. Campbell. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. 501 pp.

In July, 1937, 13 men and one woman did more than any other single agency had ever done to make New Zealand self-conscious in matters of education. The greatest hindrance to educational progress in this country is the lack of an enlightened, agitating public opinion. Educational controversy is usually over trivial or sectarian subjects, and, generally, New Zealanders regard, and have been taught to regard, their educational system with satisfaction. Teachers and laymen who attended the meetings of the New Educational Fellowship Conference and heard the wisdom, wit, and asperity of the various eminent visitors could no longer be complacent. It was not so much the words and theories of the experts that shook their hearers (most of what was said had already been printed), but the strength of various civilised and gracious or incisive personalities. The missionaries did their work and passed on, leaving much enthusiasm, many converts in high places and low, and much hppe. Their influence persists in many a classroom throughout the land, and, it is whispered, in the conclaves of the administrators. These must, by all their powers, try to keep public interest in education keen and vigilant. From public opinion flow agitation and the speediest means of reform and freedom for experiment. Education is as important as fruitgrowing and air-transport, and must not be obscured by the dust and smoke of political conflict. The publication of the proceedings of the N.E.F. Conference is timely. It comes at a time when initial zeal may be flagging, and when the prospect of changes makes definite, fresh iriformation valuable. It was a difficult task to procure reports of so many and such varied lectures; but all the visitors, except Dr, Rugp, are characteristically and thoroughly reported. For the editing of the volume the highest praise is necessary. The grouping of lectures under appropriate heads is well done, the index is, without overflowing, full, and the pruning away of trimmings has been ruthless. The production of the book is equal to that of the last few educational books put out by these publishers, and is highly creditable.