Popularising Science

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 11

Popularising Science

Sir,- —Noticing in a recent issue the report of the annual meeting of the Philosophical Society, I venture to applaud the idea of popularising science. For some time past I have been en-' gaged in endeavouring to increase interest in astronomy, more especially in regard to the “rising generation.” The college and school principals in Wellington have expressed their thanks for the opportunities afforded the pupils and quite a number of the teachers themselves have accompanied the pupils. Several; other keen amateur astronomers have assisted me in this work, not forgetting the staff of tbe Government Observatory. We have found there definitely exists a keen desire for knowldge, not only. - among the young people who ue hope will “carry .the torch” to-morrow, but. among the older. Of course, the huge success of the Workers’ Educational’ Movement, the sales of “Outlines,” etc., are all evidence of the prevailing desire for knowledge. Perhaps only the “Outline” of subjects is desired, but even to have that is something. My (somewhat humble, perhaps) opinion is that there cannot be such a condition aS “over-education.” There are, and always will be, a class on whom instruction even in the simplest things will be wasted, but it is only through the wide dissemination of knowledge that the world can progress; so I conclude with my best wishes to the efforts of the Philosophical Society.—l am. etc.. ALFRED QUINNELL. Wellington, Nov. 11.