“Rapid Dissemination Of Knowledge Essential”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 15

“Rapid Dissemination Of Knowledge Essential”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. “Our age is one of rapid social change accompanied by increase of new knowledge and scientific invention without precedent or parallel in the long history of mankind,” said the United States Ambassador (Mir A. B. Akers) at the polytechnical prize-giving of the Wellington Technical College. “In such a time we must do all in our power to strengthen our systems of education. We must know that a free society today demands that we continue learning or face the threat of relative national deterioration. “One of the great issues of our time is the conflict between the concepts of open and closed societies. An open society is an order of community life in which the values of human dignity are cherished, and in which all values—most especially power —are broadly shared.” Mr Akers said the closed society still prevailed in some parts of the world. In such societies meh had to live largely separate and secluded from their fellow men elsewhere, subservient

to governments and institutions over which they had little control. “There is a growing awareness abroad in the world that all of us must now learn or perish. The basic requirement for a developing and growing nation, whether young or old, is the rapid dissemination of knowledge and the speedy application of the new tools, which science has given us, to the betterment of the human condition and the construction of a durable peace. “Education, broadly based, is regarded by all who respect human dignity as a most powerful instrument for the realisation of individual freedom and as one of the greatest guarantors of an open society,” said Mir Akers. Sydenham School.—Mrs P. Bedford has been appointed president of the Sydenham School Parent-Teacher Association. A member of the school committee, Mrs Bed- : ford is also a member of the Christchurch South Inter- : mediate committee, and a - delegate for both schools to • the Canterbury Parent- ’ Teacher Federation. ]