WELCOME TO CITY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 8

WELCOME TO CITY

N.Z.E.I. GATHERING

JUBILEE CONFERENCE

Delegates to the jubilee conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute were given a civic welcome in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, at noon today by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop). The large attendance included representatives of other educational organisations, which are holding their annual conferences in Wellington this week: After apologising for tho unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Education (the Hon. K. Masters, M.L.C.), Mr. Hislop said that it was a particular pleasure to have the opportunity of welcoming to, the city, delegates to a conference representing the educational institutions of tho country. Despite criticisms of various kinds, they were all proud of the educational system operating in the Dominion. From the time of'the drafting of the original Act up to the present time education had been one of the principal topics.of discussion in.the community, and had grown enormously in the place it occupied in governmental functions.- Unfortunately, the economic difficulties of the times had led to the curtailment of many services, and the postponement of numerous activities which many of those present would like to see put into operation. However, it was not only in., the field of education that such unhappy restrictions had been imposed. Mr. Hislop said he tpsted that, the deliberations of the conference would result in some alleviation of the difficulties confront-, ing tho educational world. He hoped that tho delegates would have an enjoyable stay in Wellington, and that the conference would be a profitable one. Mr. N. T. Lambourne, Director of Education, expressed the good wishes of the Department towards the conference. In a young country like New Zealand, fifty years was a long time, ho said, and there had been many educational changes, in all of which the N.Z.E.I. had taken a prominent part. PRIVILEGES OBTAINED. , On behalf of tho New Zealand Secondary Schools Association, Mr. \V. A. Armour congratulated tho N:Z.E.I. on the attainment of its jubilee. A jubilee, he said, was a time both for rejoicing and stocktaking, and it must be agreat joy to the. members of the institute "to have accomplished fifty years of fine work on behalf of education in the Dominion. As an ex-member he remembered the work not only of the central body but *also of the district branches, which gave splendid service. Those who belonged to other organisations were indebted to the N.Z.E.I. for many of the privileges they enjoyed. He hoped that in tho next fifty years tho institute would accomplish at least as much as the great leaders of tho past had accomplished. Mr. A. Jones extended tho congratulations of the Technical School Teachers' Association. Ho felt that tho public should know more of the nature of the wonderful work that was being carried out by the ■ institute, and he hoped that tho .jubilee celebrations would have the desired result. One of the characteristics of the members of the N.Z.E.I. was their sincerity. They had been particularly fortunate in having had for their officers men of wide vision and great capacity and knowledge concerning educational matters. Mr. Jones said he thought that during the next fifty years the changes would be still be more marked, and that whatever amount of energy, skill, and sincerity might have been applied to the work in the past, even more would be required in the future. PRESIDENT'S REPLY. In returning thanks on behalf of tho N.Z.E.I. for the Mayor's welcome and the,congratulations of the other organisations, the- president, Mr. W. F. Abel, said that tho institute was born in Christchurch in 1883, and during the fifty years that had elapsed it had kept, before its members as tho chief plank of its platform the improvement of education in New Zealand. He thought he could say that that objective had been faithfully kept in view. They hoped that tho day would soon come when there would bo a workable f edera-1 tion of all brandies of teachers in the | country. (Applause.) Teachers woro i engaged in an important occupation, I that of educating the children of tho Dominion, and he thought he could fairly say that upon the results of I their work rested the couutry's future.] After a long experience, he knew that. tho teachers were doing their work as ! thoroughly and efficiently as they j could. Educational problems were i never finished with. Changing times ! meant changing methods, and they had | to keep their minds young and fresh in order to tackle the problems. i The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.