SCIENCE OF THE HOME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1786, 26 June 1913, Page 6

SCIENCE OF THE HOME.

AND MACARTHY FUND. CALL TO BE MADE FOR AID. A' conference called by the Education Board at tho rcquc*t of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, was held yesterday afternoon. Mrs. A. Ji. Atkinson presided. The object of the conference was to discuss the propo?al of tho society that the trustees ot the Macartliy Fund should be approached upon tho matter ot* setting aside a sum sufficient lo establish, a Chair of Domestic Science at Victoria College, and also to consider the best means of establishing a thorough system of domestic science instruction. Mrs. Atkinson, in opening the - conference, said that in the past she thoueht too much attention had been devoted to other sides than home-making in the education of girls, to the exclusion of the home-making qualities. What they wero now to consider wfl-s how they were to set about gaining this important prolicieucy in home management —whother to work by the establishment of a Chair of Domestic Science at Victoria College or by tho establishing 'of hostels' to carry out definite schemes of training for this purpose. The Inspector-General. Jtr. llogben, Inspector-General of i Scnools, was c-ailcd upon to explain what had been done by the Education Department in this direction. He stated that the course lor giris in the secondary schools was practically the same as that followed by boys. He quite disagreed wiili this. Tho sexes should receive a sound training, but on different lines. Domestic work was quite us "scientific" as any other work, but it was conceded that "they must aim at putting- it.on a higher level. Ho thought that they must keep separate the functions of a training college and of a university. At Utago Unitersity a course for home science and domestic arts had been established that would, he thought, be sufficient lor present needs. l-Wi'tccn (Otago) bursaries had been awarded for girls who gave proj. mise of becoming experts in domes-tie science. Tne Department looked to it .to provide a number of domestic experts for the future. Every woman teacher entering the training college luul now to take a course in domestic but it was not always given under, the best conditions because of the lack of experts. 11l many of tho schools, cooking was taught by itself. It stood alone. That should not be. The direction, of the tastes of the average girl lay in the direction of the home, and it was right that she should be trained to take charge of a home in an intelligent manner. If she were trained on 1 broad lilies, her education in literature, history, science, end general knowledge would not be lessened. Mathematics should certainly be reduced. What they wanted to get lor girls was vocational training. The schools aid require outside teachers, but teachers on" the staff for domestic science, M.d the Department was to blame in sending girls away to cookery classes, instead of having it as part of the school life. Then there fras the question of hostels or I heir equivalent. Domestic science cannot bo taught in. parts, and, if secondary teach-, ers wfere to be taught properly, they must have a chance- of seeing how everything was done, just as it was in the nome. They must have several hostels, because they could not train students of different degrees of intelligence, age, training, and different stages of maturity of mind. He advocated three types of hostels. Mr. Lee proposed that a secretary bo appointed to act in conjunction with tho committee presently to be. set'up. Mr. Stewart was appointed.'

The Chief Inspector. Mr. T. It. Fleming (Chief Inspector), the next speaker, saiu that, in the schools of his district, they were trying to remedy the point that Mr. Hogben had touched upon, in cookery instruction. In securing training iu liomo matters it was likely that they would havo to do away with some of the examinations, for the reason that so many parents wished their girls to,prepare for this 0' that one. What lie,would like to see would be the morning taken up with subjects such as English, history, geography, and tho afternoon to be entirely devoted to the different branches of domestic science. In the primary schools it would be but the first training in scientific methods, but very fair results could bo obtained. In the secondary schools a much deeper knowledge would bo acquired. In the matter -of examinations a test, would be made at the end of the year, and this, with the marks given upon the whole of the year's work, would establish the standard of proficiency reached. / Other Speakers. Miss Kilroe, B.Sc., outlined tho work tlwt was. done throughout tho Wellington province in the matter of domestic science. *t was hoped that a course of dressmaking in the schools would lie established, also a course of a year s hygiene and laundry work. • Miss Helyer, principal of the Mount Cook Girls' School, thought that parents were largely becoming converted to domestic science for their girls. . - Miss Phoebe Myers questioned whether the teaching of domestic science was' to end 111 making tho "home feeling. It was the distaste for hume liie tnat had to be combated.

Principal of Girls' High School. ■Miss M'Lean, principal of the Wellington Girls' College, thought that ill tho secondary schools too little was being done in domestic science. In England and America it liad como to .-occupy So large a place that it seemed possible too much timo might bo set aside for it. She was entirely in sympathy with Mr. Hogbeu in his statement that domestic scienfco must be taught on scientist principles. There was a great difficulty in getting trained tcachers. Mr. Hogben had said that Dunedin could supply all the trained touchers, but could it do so-in tho near future? Tho expense of establisliiiijj a Chair at the University- would, be vC'i-y great, but she thought something might be done in connection with the training of teachers if a post-graduate course were established where diplomas were granted, which allowed students to study partly at the University and partI}* at home. ' • Mrs. livsjns proposed the following resolution: "In the best interests ol tho community it is desirable that further facilities be provided in Wellington for the furllu.T training of girls in home life." The resolution was seconded by Miss Myers.

Resolutions and Debate. In speaking to the resolution, Dr. Platts-Mills indicated all that was included in domestic science. It made for the making of home mistresses, liot homo workers, tor cultured .companions, for citizens of the world for the highest framing il. was possible to get for body, mind anil spirit. The teachers of it must bo graduates and women, of tho world ablo to express tlramselves to the public and to their students. ■ ' Miss Richmond did not expect so much. What' she asked for was that every woman might be made capable in the management of her home. Miss ICilroo thought that an alternative to a Chair of Domestic Science at the University would be a domestic. department at the Training College. It would be a place where teachers might learn how to teach homo science. Mr. Hogbcn explained at length all tho ivork that would be included in the course obtained at tho proposed hostels. At the present time much of the knowledge which they proposed to have taught could only be obtained at a medical school. He was not in favour of (-stabtithing another cliair at Victoria College. The two next speakers were Professor Picken and Mr. Mathcson, after which the resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Another resolution was brought forward by Mrs. Evans to lite elfect that the trustees of the Macarthy Fund be respectfully requested to allocate money for either (a) the establishment of a Chair of Domes, tic Science at Victoria Cullege, or ()>) tho establishment of hostels to afford further facilities for practical training, and thus supplement the training already giveii in 'technical schools. This was seconded by Miss I [elver. Professor Picken brought forward the amendment that the first, part of the resolution in regard to tho proposed establishment of a Chair of Domestic Science at Victoria College bo deleted. He gave as ouxi of tho reasons against tho DroEo:il

tho fact that the Victoria College' Council had considered very carefully the question of t'lio application to llio Jlacartlij Fund, and hint- detenuinert its policy, which was quite opposed to tho coursu proposed. Tilt- ujuondinont was seconded by Mi. I'leming and carried. ' lioth Jlrs. Atkinson and Dr. PlaitsMills objected to a statement made l>y n previous spuiker that the dignity of domestic work was recognised. Dr. PlaitsMills held that without tho degree conferred by the University it never would l-cncli its highest level. Miss M'J.ean moved an amendment that the Macaithy Trustees bo requested to set aside a delinitc sum lor the advancement of home science in Wellington, this Mini to be expanded by promoting tho subject in primary and secondary (ieliools aim in the University, also in the establishing of hostels in connection with secondary and technical schools, the training colleges, and University. This was seconded by Lady Stout. After some discussion Miss M'Lcan withdrew her amendment.

Jlr. La Trobe outlined a plan for tho housing of students and the carrying on of tho work. Any hostel established should, he thought, be specialised lor domestic vork, and supply the necessity for girls who aro either studying in the hostel or preparing for domestic pursuits. Jlr. Temiant expressed liis appreciation for tho work done lor the Training Col-k-ge by tho existing hostels—the women students of Victoria College (Jlrs. thornton) and The Friends (Jlrs. Hell). lie strongly advocated a hostel, and was satistied with the trend of the meeting. After a considerable amount ol' discussion tho second part of the resolution brought forward by Jlrs. Evans was altered, and, as cnrrieit, was to Iho oil cut that the trustees of tho Jlacavthy l 1 mid be respectfully requested to allocate money i'or tlio establishment of hostels in connection wilih training colleges, for all'ording further facilities for practical training in homo science, and tluis supplement the training already givi-n in technical schoo s. A committee was set up to collier with lt ie secretary in regard to the presenting of tho request-to thc'Jlacnrthy trustees. It comprised Jlrs. A. It. Atkinson. Jlisi Kilroe, Jlr. La Trobe, Jlr. 'iennant, ami Jlr lirown. A vote ot thanks to tho education Hoard for its interest and support in the movement was proposed and sec- • onded with heartiness.