The Dominion FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1927. TRADE SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 11, 7 October 1927, Page 10

The Dominion FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1927. TRADE SCHOOLS

* In a speech in the House of Representatives on the subject of the Apprentices Bill, the Minister of Labour indicated that it might be necessary in the future to establish trade schools in order to keep up the supply of apprentices for the skilled trades. To do this, he explained, would involve a reconstruction of the existing technical school system. This opens up a very big question, in which precipitate action would not be wise. It is admitted that an adquate supply of skilled workers is a vital consideration. It is admitted also, both on social and economic grounds, that this supply should be drawn from the native-born population rather than from abroad. In theory, the Apprentices Act should have solved the problem. In its original form it has failed to realise expectations, but the wider scope which in its amended form it will give the apprenticeship committees may produce better results. Weaknesses which experience of the working of the principal Act has revealed have now been removed. The Minister’s reference to the future necessity for trade schools, however, indicates that he does not regard the present facilities for increasing the supply of apprentices likely to be wholly effective unless supported by a foundation of specialised instruction. To attempt this by a reconstruction, of the existing technical school system would involve very careful study of the question from its purely educational aspect. It is an established principle in modern educational practice that the true and only function of education is to equip the student with the qualities which will make him a good citizen, with also a foundation of trained intelligence, which, added to his special aptitudes, will enable him to become proficient in his accepted, walk of life. ■Education of itself will not make a good doctor, or a good lawyer, or a good carpenter, but a soundly educated than is likely to be a better doctor, lawyer, or carpenter than an ill-educated one. From this point of view it is important to inquire at what age the trade school student would be admitted, and to what extent the general course of secondary education at present provided by the technical school curriculum would be affected by what one presumes would be a more specialised course in craftsmanship. Education and / craftsmanship should be soundly balanced, as much in the interests of the skilled trades as of good citizenship.