LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23324, 9 May 1941, Page 12

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

R.M.H.S.— Commander Kersley, St. John Ambulance Association, Christchurch. EDUCATION FOR “RESULTS” Sir,— My object in writing, as you will recall, was to support your protest against an utterance by a responsible official which was calculated to bring contempt upon the elements of scholarship. I further contended that in the reaction against the dry pedagogy of former years the standard of instruction in our schools has fallen and continues to fall. You have now had evidence enough to judge that both from those who support my contention and from those who profess to oppose it, evidence is forthcoming. I have little sympathy with methods now happily discarded, and I welcome the new attitude of understanding and sympathy with the child. But what is called the new “method” is largely a welter of theories, and much teaching to-day is by way of experiment. This was to be seen in the remarks of my fellow-graduate who flourished his degree beneath the statement that “the socialising of the individual, his acquiring of those graces (and airs?) which enable him to live and work with others” is the aim of education. But surely, education is a preparation for life; no narrower definition will do. To-day it is truer than ever that “knowledge is power”; a lower or an incomplete standard of instruction spells incompetence and discouragement. The child must be prepared to take his place in a community of a definite intellectual, literary and cultural standard. This standard was hardly won by the race; and it will not be easily acquired by the child, or imparted by the teacher. “H.M.” deprecates the tendency of schools in the past to cater for “intellectuals,” and of one grade of education to look forward to the next. Let it be admitted that in the past “retardates” were neglected. Are we now to redress the balance by holding back those more gifted? And is It not the function of each stage of education to fit the student for the next, whether he is to continue or not? The same writer, faced by the difficulties modem students find in a timehonoured test, would abolish the test. Let me make two points here: the remarks of recent examiners show that the pupils’ deficiency is pronounced in the English test, the prescription for which has no special reference to future studies and which cannot be crammed. Second, the existence of tests is essentially democratic. Your readers may be aware of the long struggle to introduce them in the English Public Service, by way of replacing what is now termed graft. Does it not seem that in more than one way our system is progressing backwards? Finally, let me remind you that my remarks apply to 'primary education and its direct results in secondary education. I say emphatically that there is a standard in the essential subjects which we should demand. No new methods dr added interest can compensate for failure to reach such a standard. Surely, citizens should be awake to this threat to our national standing, and the handicap which is being placed on the citizens of the future.— Yours, etc., C T May 6, 1941. LThis correspondence is now closed,— Ed.. “The Press.”] A RETURNED SOLDIER’S COMPLAINT • Sir,—l happen to be a 1914 returned soldier, ana not being 46, I was called in the fifth ballot (territorials). After being examined on April 10 and agam on April 28. I was told , (over the telephone I had to use) that I was not fit for. either overseas or territorial trainings My .complaint is that I should have ,to ring the Area Officer. : His department should have notified me. If this is the attitude of the Defence authorities, then this will be a long; war. Of course, the shortage of paper may have been the e “" 1914 SOtDIEH. May 7, 1941. , SUMNER- HOMtT< GUARD Sir,—General dissatisfaction Jias been expressed , at the way in which 'Sumner Home Guard Committee < b.« carried out its business, and as -a fog that, during my advocacy of the inclusion ot the ' , Trade Union nominee, Mr D. Dick, it was necessary for me to cross swords with the chairman, Mr J. E. Tait, the Mayor qf Shmder, in the name of constitutional procedure: Following this, the chairman without reference to, the committee, made an objection to my presence bn the committee, stating that if theNedcllffs Burgesses' Association's representative was 'npt relieved of his duties., two members of the Sumner Homef Guard Committee would resign. Tha matter was discussed and rejected. A good-deal of muddling: took'place, to which some of the members strongly objected. Ultimately, The secretary, Cr. P.-C* Fenwick, resigned. Had the chairman been present at the recent meeting. ‘ his - right to preside would ' have'been challenged. If this bungling Is itaken- as, a - guide;. If. is no, wonder , tMtitbe hflrougfi affairs are jn an awful mat; and, I think, the Mayor and the councillor named would be rendering the community a better service by ;home and digging in the y gardbn.—Yours, etc., . * HERVEY HAMILTON. Sedelifb, May 7,1941. MIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND Sir.—ltwbuld appear that my letter under the above'heading published in “The Press’’ of Saturday touched “Who’s Ateard” on a, tender spot. Is he one o&tfae, or, as be to the “Blitz'm lkisland,” is be;one of the many “homies” of: who have entered this country since-the outbreak of the pre< aemv#ar to take the places of those, yoUhg New Zealandersvffiohave:ieft; these shores tbvfight fbr England? ! I hm yet to meet the “homey”, whop lUHter industrial ability; is ukely. to Sgrive a New Zealander of lug job. Therefore; I repeatNe.W. Zealand must be careful .fo of' future foimlgranta.—Yours, * etc., ' May 8, 1941. ' , Sir,— May I question your-discretion In*. allowing the letter written by "N.Z.” to be printed at the present thne. Such,a controversial, topic .could guridjr’be put aside ' ended. This letter seems too much like-kicking a man when he is down. Row 'can any person who reads the papers and tries to realise not* only the'bravery, ,but also the* suffering of the English people, talk about the “dole” and wish for immigrants from / another country? Does “N.Z.” know thdt the United States also has its unemployed? The Immigrant we kna>yi3 better than the immigrant we do not knew.:. We have some knowledge of English "characteristics, but the youth ‘ OtThe United States is mostly an untd The average; New , •*-. „, w , anyone who ipan- and • woman * .(including

know that the society has a right to its title—however one may disagree with their viewpoint, or the particular expression, of it that now brings certain members, into the Courts. Then your correspondent falls into error in supposing these men, who are attempting to express. their views in public, are all young men seekmg prison as 1 a place of refuge. Several of those, on trial are married with families. . Two ; have three children each-so Their caUingiup is not immiwhilst the, .Rev; O, E. Burton is not only a married, man jvith children but is also over-age. I would suggest that Mr Keeley ask the Howard League for some facts about the prison system, and • I think be will then see that only a person of sincere and sttpng convictions is likely to Finally* for those who do. not realise it -that the “obstruction of police” mentioned, in the reports of these case*: does -not indicate violence but merely &; persistence in speaking after, a .police request to'desist. - This constitutes "obstruction” in the legal sense and they are, therefore; arrested. —Yours, etc., , ■;, V. K. THOMPSON. [C. W. . Keeley, if he wishes, may briefly; reply; otherwise this correspondence, is closed.—Ed, “The Press”! ... ; ■ ' - FRUIT, CONTROL " Sir,—The fruitgrowers- say/thatcontrol is'-only for the duration of; the war;' ' Thbse.engaged-in export production and import’ trade will : have 1 - very much. the same; internal : commitments to meet as before-the Japse of shipping facilities. It. yrilL he necessary for the GoverhihbntTh help them to meet their obligations” to keep the internal economy/functioning., For those industries to'shrink in capital value would ■Tetard‘"progress When the' war is over. : The legislation of the Labour. Govemment/Jhas. beenenacted to. build ,up . a natiohaTihjintrqllstnicture .to: protect the against .the evils ;produc- • tion and^uhernployment.' Thjs national control’glriiWUfeVis.hotfoolproof—witness Tribunal? However,.^ebßij9ete:.as^ it;is; : ' if this structure is wantonly broken. the New: Zealand -will; again , go througrt a period bf national.economic ■ and will reap another harParty; (rofts®ihC|as' sweH" ,as, She , fot; a i TetnporOry total: eumwatioh of export and import > tradeandplanfor such an event. A Strict. fixation-of- -prices; and - rationing of all comroodities ilor which we; me wholly .or pdriiaily dependent' 1