“DANGER POINT”

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 68, 14 December 1931, Page 10

“DANGER POINT”

Germany in Europe PROFESSOR’S OPINION Education in America “Germany struck me as being the danger point of Europe,” said Dr. G. E. Thompson, professor of modern languages at the University of Otago, on his return yesterday from a visit to the United States, England and Europe. He had noted that General Smuts had said a few days ago that if Germany failed, England would follow next. He quite agreed with General Smuts’s view, and that was why he viewed the present position in Germany with considerable apprehension. Every second person he met in Austria had said: “We have no money.” The financial and social condition of Germany appeared to be very bad, Dr. Thompson continued. Austria was in practically the same condition. In Vienna he was in the midst of a series of student riots, Communistic and anti-Semetic. Every morning when he left his abode he had to pass through a cordon of police which was around the university buildings. American Education. , Dr. Thompson said that what Impressed him most .in America was the

tremendous effort that was being made to improve education. He was particularly struck with the magnitude and efficiency of the high schools. Junior high schools, where pupils commenced at about the age of 11 years, were now an integral part of the Amoricnn system. Their merits or demerits were not discussed now; they were merely accepted. Dr. Thompson thought that this type of education would be definitely adopted here in the future.

Another type of the American system which interested Dr; Thompson was the junior college. These colleges dealt with the university students for the 'first two years of their course. This' meant that when they proceeded to the university college they could follow a more intensified and specialised course.

Oxford Type. In the American universities there was a very strong movement toward the Oxford type; that was by tutors instead of by lecture classes. The Americans were always seeking to improve their system. Dr. Thompson lectured in a number of colleges, and everywhere he went he was received with extraordinary cordiality. Everyone appeared to be extremely Interested in New Zealand, and especially in our educational system.

Dr. Thompson has been away from New Zealand since January last. He spent three months in the United States, toured through England, Scot--1 Vi. and Ireland, anil then went to Germany, France and Belgium.