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Evening Star, Issue 16625, 7 January 1918, Page 4

It was a thoughtful and informative

address that Mr Technical Education. F. Neve delivered at the opening of the conference of technical school teachers at present being held at Wellington. Naturally, he did not fail in according emphasis to that species of education, mistakenly called technical, which aims at equipping a child for his occupation in life. Making all allowance for the partisanship begotten of Mr Neve's association with technical education as principal of the department of natural science in the Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, it is difficult to Tosisfc the conclusions at which he lias arrived. In brief, his address was not simply an exposition of the merits and national usefulness of vocational education; iKwas also, both by implication and by express statement, an effective exposure of the demerits and shortcomings,; from a "national point of view, of the what is commonly called secondary education. Mr Neve finds that technical differs from secondary education in that it eliminates the dead languages, and clothes the' " dry bones of science and mathematics in a mantle of usefulness and common sense." This is severe criticism of the high schools which the State has endowed throughout 'the country—we opine too severe. Nevertheless, it is based upon some hard and stubborn truths. There are certain facts which ought to be faced squarely. In the first place, as pointed out by Mr Neve, over 90 per cent, of those who work for a living are occupied in agriculture, commerce, Industry, and other pursuits apart from professional. But our whole secondary and university system of education has been built up to furnish training to the professional minority. Indeed, anything above a knowledge of tho three R's was until quite recently deemed both.

unnecessary and unsuitable to those employed in industry and commerce. Higher education was the prerogative of those destined for the professions. " .Hence the adaptation of the institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of this'class. For centuries the classics have been associated with professional training. They obtained their pre-eminence at the Renaisance, and a sacred tradition makes it-hard to dislodge them from that pride of place. Truly, they have nourished great statesmen, sharpened the wits of great lawyers, and deepened the wisdom of great divines. But what of service have they for the preponderating mass who can never enter the charmed circle of the professions ?' The ■times have vastly changed since the high schools and universities of the British Empire were founded. The world has passed into an engineering and scientific age, when successful industry requires t'ho assistance of deep scientific knowledge.

Ninety per cent, of the breadwinners of New Zealand want 'equipping with a portiou of this knowledge. Indeed, without peradventure, they must needs obtain this equipment if the industrial efficiency of the people of the Dominion is to be on tho high level reached in the United States and in Germany. The commercial competition of tho nations is a very living thing. To be mastered in the strugglespells national decadence. So far as concerns national strength and power, at is more important to have a thoroughly skilled artisan population than to have a professional class made facile-tongued by the classics. In short, the prime defect of this country's system of higher education is that it is fashioned to suit less than 10 per cent, of the people, when the paramount need of the time is a system designed to supply the wants of over 90 per cent, of the people. The country is pursuing the joolish policy of seeking to cramp GO per cent, into a mould fitted for 10 per cents We hope that tho 10 per cent, will never forgo the study of the classics, and we trust that suitable schools will always be available for them. But it is not the secondary school, as presently constituted, which should form the normal continuation of the primary school; it is the technical school, with its curriculum adapted to the expected vocations of the students. Furthermore, as Mr Neve points out, the realisation by the student that his studies were intimately connected with his life work sharpens his interest m them, and gives " a remarkable impetus to independent investigation." The following extract from Mr Neve's address, explaining the vocational, training of the agricultural student, indicates the distinctive feature of technical education :

# After usual laboratory work dealing with nitrogen, nitrates, and nitric acid, the agricultural student would make experiments showing tho effect of nitrates on plant growth, illustrating the process of nitrification and the work of the bacteria that are responsible for the nodules on the roots of leguminous crops. In physics specific heat would 'be considered in relation to 'soil temperature, with special stress on air and water content; capillary attraction would * be studied m connection with mulches and soil moisture; a consideration of economics would extend to absorption and root pressure; while the study of solution would include soil, minerals, and manures, with their relative solubility in water and root acid. This is education which, trains tho mind and makes efficient for production, and the vast majority of the people of any country need such, and not a classical education.

A letter received from Perth, West Australia, by tho last mail indicates how seriously the food supply has been affected by the strike. The writer, who is a Government official in Perth, states that his family have had no supplies of butter, or salt for some weeks. He says that ho is hoping to have half a pound of salt sent him in a few days buch a small quantity is evidently a bis consideration now that the commerce of ferth has been so dislocated by tho labor trouble.

The following delegates have been elected to attend the triennial conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, to be hold in Wellington in February:—North Island: Traffic department. Messrs T. G. Glasgow and M. Lee; locomotive, Messrs A. Whisker and R Hastedt; maintenance, Messrs F. C. Carr rld I ,f J - Churchhouse; workshops, Messrs J. Elliot and R. Moore. South Island: frame, Messrs P. Gaines and E. A. Davis • locomotive, Messrs D. Wilson and P. Roche; maintenance, Messrs J. W. Elliot ?? T A „F- Eggleton; workshops, Messrs "J. YV. Toomey and W. Sullivan. _ A young Australian holding a commission in an English regiment writes to his parents in Melbourne of the courage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. He says: " During a show lately I had to spend the night with the infantry in a very advanced position more than a mile in front of our guns. The Prince of WaJes came up to our pill-box in the morning. Ho is a wonderfully stouthearted youth, and I believe they cannofc keep him out of it. He is sure to ' get it in the neck' some day. I believe he would ' g «° £ ver the to P ' if he g ot half a chance." For a small profession the architects of Now Zealand have a fine record in the war. No fewer than 15 fellows and 57 associates have gone to the front, and four have gained military honors, and eight have given their lives. That,'for a profession with such a limited number of members, is a record which would be hard to beat."—Mr W. H. Winsor, president of the Canterbury Master Builders' Association, at a farewell given to a member on Friday evening last.

The Rev. J. Perkins, Anglican vicar at Clutha, went to Port Molyneux yesterday to conduct the intercession service there. Finding that there was a large number of holiday-makers on the spot, he met the needs of this larger congregation by holding service in the open air. a large gathering taking place on or about the verandah of Henderson's store. The rev. gentleman read tho proclamation, the congregation -sang tho National Anthem., and a simple and hearty service followed. The offering was devoted to the local Red Cross.

So fax there is no rush bv returned soldiers for the general fanning land placed at their disposal by the Government. Apart from the discharged soldiers who weTe in possession of land before enlisting, only 27 leases have been taken up in Otago. There are sections still to be had at Clifton, and the area at Otanomomo that was reserved for soldiers was not applied for, so the Land Board let it for grazing. The present demand seems to be for sheep farms. There is no reason, however, to feel disappointed about the slackness of the inquiries. Tho majority of the returned soldiers are broken m health, and need rest or light employment in the meantime. As they grow stronger in their native air. they will be more prepared for the strenuous life of a farmer.

Two well-known Dunedin dancers—Miss Winnie and Master Edward Robinsonwere very successful at the Terauka and Timaru sports gatherings on Boxing Day and New Years Day. These juveniles, who are always te the fore in any local patriotic movement, secured between them one special, six firsts, six seconds, and one third prizes out of 14* entries for Highland dancing. This is a most creditable performance, and Avill take some beating. These talented, performers will appear at the bowlers' choir concert at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night.

We are advised by nrivate telegram that the Crown Law Office is of opinion that Mr Hugo Friodlauder is still chairman of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and remains such till the biennial election of chairman. This opinion confirms that given by Mi- Wilding, of Christchurch.

Mr Paulin telephoned at 2 p.m. : Strong"-N.E. winds; fine for 24 hours; electrical indications.

The Rhine bridges," says a London contemporary, " are an obvious target for our ,bomb-carrying aeroplanes when they begin the great offensive on Germany. Everything that comes from the heart of Germany to our enemies on the West front must come across the Rhine on bridges. Omitting those at the Dutch end, tliere are numerous bridges which our airmen may encounter. Somo of them are these: Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Bonn, Cobienz, Mayence, Worms, Mannheim, Speyer Germersheim, 'Carlsruhe, Rastatt,. Strassourg Breisach, Mulheim. The Rhine is the longest river in Germany, but only about 400 mil es Q f its total length of 730 miles are in German territory. Starting trom Rotterdam, there is first the Lower Rhine, about 200 miles to Cologne: then the Middle (or tourists') Rhine from Cologne to Mayence, 116 miles; and next the Upper Rhine, Mayence to Ba.se>, dbout 209 miles. The Lower Rhine is the commercial portion of the river. At Mayence the river is about 500 yards wide, at Coblenas 400, at Cologne 430. Mannheim is one of the chief ports of Europe, and tho port of distribution throughout Southern Germany of food and raw material. Duisburg is a great Rhine harbor near the mouth of tho Ruhr, a Rhine tributary which, was canalised by Frederick the Great. The Rhenish-Westphalian coalfields are adjacent here. One bridge destroyed would not make a great deal of difference to the enemy, but the destruction of these bridges in groups—the groups from Coblenz north, or the group trom Mayence south—would be a verv heavy blow." J

Tho event of this month in connection with the garden competitions promoted by _ the Amenities and Town Planning Society is the vegetable and fruit garden competition, for which entries close tomorrow. _ In order to place small lots on an equality with large ones, tho merits Only and not the bulk of tho crops will weigh with the judges when they make their rounds early this month. Sergeant-major Wheeler, who escorted from Dunedin to Invcrcargill the Southland soldiers wlio returned by the hospital ship, has been asked by the men to publicly return thanks to the railway officials in particular and to the Invercargill people for special consideration shown to them. The. kindness tendered made the homecoming an experience to bo remembered.

Tho funeral accorded to Private Edward Sninsbury yesterday afternoon was carried out in due form* by the Defence authorities, under the direction of Captain Myers, A.A.G. The Fourth Regiment Band, under Lieutenant George, played on the route from the Hospital to the Anderson Bay Cemetery, and the Returned Soldiers' Association provided the pall-bearers, the drivers, and the firing party, .Sergeant-major Johnson and Sergeant Glasse having detail command. The Rev. Vincent King, who was with the soldier a.t .death, conducted the service. a,nd Bugler Hill sounded 'The Last Post.' Whilst waiting for thr- start Private Woods, nn Anzao man. had ono of his feet hurt by a horse standing; on it, but the injured man wont through his dutv. Samsbury belonged to Queenstown. He wont away with the ]gfcli Reinforcements, and was at the Somme. He wns laid out with trench fever and a wound in the shoulder, and returned last August. Two of his brothers are at the front. A draft of CI men will leave Dmiedin on the 15th inst., by special train at 1.15 a.m., bound for camp' at Wellington. So fax there are 266 men .available, and that will probably bo about the strength of the draft from Dunedin and tho South.

There are Tib cot cases amongst the Ofcago and Southland soldier invalid® who have reached Auckland as part of Draft 134. Tliis is one of the biggest batches of returned mon that have been carried. The Southerners get to Dunedin to-mor-row night. The Rev. 0. Bush King is one of tho party. Ho is returning on duty. Sincethe maternity allowance of £5 for each child bom within Australia came into operation on-October 10, 1912, a total of £3,418,960 has been distributed to mothers of the six States. The claims for the allowance numbered 683,792, but this does not mean that this totall represented the number of births in the Commonwealth during tho period referred to. A very small percentage of parents did not claim tho allowance, but m the case of twins only £5 was allowed. In addition, 2,931 claims wero rejected for various reasons during the five years.

One of the most recent recruits in South. Australia is John Clyde Ha%, a product of Quorn, who joined up on his eighteenth birthday. The youngster is a second of the Commander-in-Chief of tlie British foroo in France.

An astonishing total of what wasto of bread means is given by tile 'Church Gazette' in the following supposed autobiography of a wasted slice of bread : —" I am a slice of bread. I measure 3in by 2in. My thickness is half an inch. My weight is exactly one ounce. I am wasted onca, a day by 48 million people in Britain. I am the bit left over, the slice eaten when really I was not wanted. lam tho waste orust. Collect mo and my companions for a weelf,* and we shall amount to 9,380 tons of bread. Two shiploads of good broad wasted—almost as much as 20 submarines (if they had luck) could sink I If you throw me away, or waste mo, you are as good l as adding 20 submarines to the German navy."

Mr C. M. Terry, a Sydney merchant, who returned from America a few days ago, says there are no words to describe the manner in' wbicUi America has plunged into tlie war. " It's something staggering," lie states, "and has to be seen before heiiovod. The whole country is ' Hooveiised.' Mr Hoover, the Food Controller, has the whole land absolutely in his grip. He (or, rather, his follow you from the breakfast table to bed. The Government have taken over the control of things in wholesale fashion. Only recently they took over tho whole of the railway systems east cf Ohie&go. What that means perhaps enly an American can realise, and then there is tho way they have handled the German-American element. At first it was a case of '~s.Qep your mouth shut and we'll let you alone.' Now they are bundling them out c? their homes, whole districts -at a time. The waterfronts are toeing absolutely swept clear of aliens, as are also certain prescribed zones. If you ask mo l;ow many wen America has sent over to Fra-Bce, I can only reply that tho rumora range betwesn 20OJ00O and 500,000. By the end of nest June, however, they do hope to havo 1,000,000 or more in the firing line."

The New Zealand United Master Bakers' Conference will be held at Christchurch on the 16th inst. Messrs F. G. Lauren - son, T. S. Dearie, and J. Wootten have been appointed delegates from Dunedin. Ma- H. H. S. White (secretary of the New Zealand Association) will also attend the conference.

Shipping Was fairly brisk at Dunedin last week, b€t with the departure of seven or eight vessels during the past throe days the port now presents a somewhat deserted appearance. Work was resumed on the waterfront last Thursday morning, and was continuous up to Saturday. A Union collies and another large vessel were engaged in discharging general merchandise to-day, and a fair amount of labor was absorbed. Matters should improve as the week progresses, as seven or eight Steamers are due here between now and Sunday next. Amongst the number will be the Te Aran and Kaituna with general cargo from Auckland, and the Corinna with general caTgo from Wellington.

Women a;e very rapidly learning to adapt themselves to avocations never dreamt of before tha outbreak of the war. W 7 e have heard lately of 'bus conductors and motor drivers, farmers, and window cleaners.. Visitors te the Grand Operahouso, Wellington (says the ' Dominion'), may have noticed that for the first time in thti history oi the theatre a lady drummer i& being employed in the orchestra. She h®-. a bass drum, two timpani, sids-drttm, and triangle to attend to, anf] does so in first-class style. Ladies are also beicg nlbre freely employed in'the string section of theatre orchestras than hereto-Core. ,

Onr, WelSngton correspondent opines that Sr A. Bell (chief of the inspecting branch at th« head office) will be the new Secretary <& Education.

A ' Star' reporter, hearing that Professor Park had been spending part of his vacation at New Caledonia, asked that gentleman how the war is affecting the French settlement. The reply was that New Caledonia is commercially having a. doze. France's action in ceaawg to sand prisoners there made the place somewhat slow, and now the Republic has withdrawn its subsidy, so that the colony has to live on its own resources, and it is prepared to kick out actively on its own account. Trade is made duller, too, than it otherwise would be by the withdrawal of the Messageries liners. They are wanted for war purposes. Tho only communication with Australia is by a little steamer, once month. Whilst the professor was at Noumea there were a number of New Caledonia soldiers spending their leave at their own homes. Under the Frensu law every soldier is entitled to periodic leave to be spent in his owii district. This law, no doubt designed to suit men residing in France, must entail some expense and trouble in regard to the colonial contingents.

The experiences of tho present -war surpss in variety and in strangeness all the imaginings of story-tellers. Descriptive writing is at fault in their narration. Tho only way to tell the tale is to use plain words and set down the facts.. Here is a marvellous example. One of our young men who came back on the last trip of tho hospital ship carries on his body 48 shrapnel wounds. Ho and another man were signalling, when a bomb burst between them. The Otago man was peppered, bxA has come home. His mate was blown to pieces. The only permanent hurt sustained by tho survivor is in one of his haeis. He poohpoohs sympathy, and, though thankful to be alive, lie scouts the suggestion that his is a remarkable case, his reply to any suggestion of that sort being that ho knows a New Zealander who has 96 marks of the same sort. " There is room there for thousands of families," remarked a Gisborne man who recently returned from his first visit to the East Coast to a Gisborne reporter. He went on to say that ho was favorably impressed with what he saw up there, but thought that it would bo far bettor for the Natives were their large blocks of land cut up and leased to pakeha settlers. Uudor present conditions they were doing no good for themselves. The registration of aliens under the Act recently passed •is nearing completion so far as the Dunedin district is concerned. To date 484 persons have been registered, so that tho alien population of our City may be set down at about 500. . The City Fire Brigade were called out at 10.5 last night by a malicious false alarm given from the box at tho comer of Dundas and Forth streets. At 9 this morning the brigade's help was requisitioned to extinguish a grass fire in Maclaggan street. A corporation laborer,had been "burning off," and the fire had got beyond control. No damage was done. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than moet whiskies, but is worth tho money.— [Advt.] * Ansell's tailor-made costumes are as practical and useful as they are attractive. Ouo quality—tho, best.—[Advt,.] Despite restrictions, the famous Watson's No. 10 whisky still sold. Ask for it.—[Advt.] Dunedin Ladies! Kindly impress upon your local storekeepers the desirability of stocking plenty of "No Rubbing" Laundry Help. J. Rattray and Son, Ltd., wholesale agent for "No Rubbing."—[Advt.] New season's photographic toods; excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 6s. Send your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. 'Phone 1,144. —[Advt.j