THE BROTHERHOOD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 16 October 1911, Page 6

THE BROTHERHOOD.

ADDRESS BY Ml!, F. M. B. FISHES, jM.l'. "Glances Backward and Forward" woa the subject of an interesting address by Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M:l\, to members of tho Wellington Brotherhood at Tho Xew Theatre yesterday afternoon. In opening, Mr. Fisher made a few references lo history with a view to show that the problems of life which wera being discussed by the world to-day wero substantially the problems which had confronted people at intervals for thousands of years. Impoverished sections of tho community had, from time to time, revolted against the over-accumulation of wealth by a few. Tho condition of affairs which allowed the displacement of labour by machinery, without making proper provision for those displaced, presented a problem for solution by the present and succeeding .generations. In the last few hundred years, considerable progress had been made in the right direction, and now a great deal mnro value was placed ou human life than formerly. But, while we flattered ourselves here in New Zealand that the country had very advanced legislation, tho fact was that' New Zealand, from an educational point of view, wanted a revolution—it was sadly iu need of educational reform Every lwy and every girl should bo equipped with knowledge which would effectually guide them in shaping their destiny. Tho town boy was ordinarily in contact with more vico than tlie country bov—the street (srncr, tho cigarette, the picture show, ote. Tho way lo counteract these influences was to givo him his life and education in tho country. Secondary schools should bo in the country, and not in the city, and (hero was 110 reason why such a sehemo should increase the cost of education, li, tho United Stato> and iu Canada they had founded agricultural colleges to tako 'boys out of city and place them wliere, in addition to the ordinary education which they received, military training and knowledge of farming were important portions of tlie course. And all the. time the lioy was taught that ho must support himself, and that tho work which he did not only paid for his maintenance, but also earned him wages. Why could not such a scheme be carried out'here? The- difficulty in Hie United States in some cases was that the land was hard to get, but in Now Zealand they had Crown lands reserved for educational purposes, and also the human material. All that was wanted was energy and enterprise. It was singular that, in a country whoso future existence depended U))on its agricultural wealth to a very largo extent, there should be only 011# agricultural college. Aud, while not spent ing against the system of military train* ing, he thought that it was more singula! still that the Govornnunt should expend so much money in teaching people tlw art of self-defence, and yet neglect to teach them the arts which would be usei'u! in everyday life. Continuing, Ah. Fisher staled he should like to see industrial and agricultural colleges o-ta!'lislio.| throughout the coun- | try, where Mie scholars would be tairrlit, a'-ove a!'. I) he self-reliant, instead 0) '•depending so Much on their parent". The Govern 1110:1! s"e:ued lo bo of tho opinion that when 0 farm post or orchnri! nasi was reported in some part of the o»un. try. it could stamp it out by srnd'n- nn expert to make, inquiries. A bctie- v-.y would be the American system of rstalv. lishing an agricultural college in the dis. triet, and setting young minds to fiirht (he pest year by year. In oonchwon. tho sneaker said thoai'U <-,f statesmen nowadays should be to kebp the population balau'ed between (own anil country, to encourage scientific pursuits, to make opportunity as far as possible equal for all, and to equip all in such a manner (hat, when op|»rlunity arose, they would be able to take advantage of it. The Rev. JO. 0. Manures presided. Solos wero sung by Miss Ivy .tones and Mr, Oakoy. Mr. W.' Jennings was accompanist.