TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

: EXTRA PAY FOK STUDENTS. The Petono Technical School managers waited'on the New Zealand Employers' Federation Conference yesterday as a deputation, which was introduced .by' tho llov. Mr. Thimpson. Mr. Hope, one of the Board of Managers, stated that for some time past the attendances at the school had been falling away, and they, as a board, had to devise ways. and means of checking the drift. The proposition thev wished to place before the employers of tho Dominion was that the employers of lads who had attended a technical school for two years should receive something extra by way of emolument to those who did not receive instruction at a technical school.

Mr. Castle (secretary of the board) read a letter to the elfect that the Wellington Technical School Board was inclined to support tho proposal. Mr. David Eobertson srid that so far the Wellington Board had not been given an opportunity to discuss it. Personally,, ho was against the proposal. Employers had been so worried with this and that demand in regard'to wages that he'would now prefer that all such matters were settled by the Arbitration Court. ."I'm speaking as an employer, not a member of the board," added the speaker, "and I don't believe in it!"

llr- George London, of the Petone Board, said .increased attendances surely meant a greater sphere of usefulness ;and that being so, conceived it to be lair that the boys-'Who make themselves more efficient should get increased emolument. The K-e.v. Mr. .Thompson did notthink they, were asking too much.' They wanted the lads ■to attend the school instead of knocking about the streets or going to picture shows. Jlr. David Robertson interjected, that ho made itcondition that all his apprentices should attend tho Technical -School. (Hear, hear.) Mr. La Trobo (director of tho 'Wellinglon Technical School) said that it must Iju conceded )hat the boy who went to school was worth more .to his employer than tho one who did not. The boy who attended school was, moreover, one of ambition, aud that always counted as oilo means to efficiency. Mr. T. Ballinger (a member of the conference) agreed that one reason why the boys did not attend school as they should was that they were too fond of sport. He advocated a scheme whereby those gaining a proficiency certificate at the school should bo given an extra penny an hour, which would mean another 3s. 9d. per week on to their wages.

Mr. J. H. Williams said he thought that the employers might meet the boys in the'matter.

Mr. lialiingcr said he was a firm-be-liever in technical education, and bad always taken a keen interest in it. He deplored the poor attendances. . Mr. Williams: "How would it be, Mr. Robertson, to make attendance at the school part and parcel of the deed of apprenticeship:-'' Mr. Robertson: "Oh, we're bothered with too many conditions already." (Laughter.) Mr. William Hopkirk, chairman of the conference, said he was glad to meet tho deputation, and the matter "would be considered. If they could agree to something concrete that would help things along they (tho deputation) would hear from the conference later.

The conference subsequently passed the following resolution:— "That tho federation approves of the principle of recognising the benefits of technical education, and that the question be. referred to the Advisory Board of the federation with instructions to confer with Hid representatives of technical education boards, anil draft a scheme whereby technical education may bo recognised by employers and report to nißliated bodies for their consideration."