ALREADY 400 EXAMINEES

Evening Star, Issue 20973, 11 December 1931, Page 1

ALREADY 400 EXAMINEES

ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCIAL SCIENCE ORIGINATED IN DUNEDIN An unobtrusive, yet none the less effective, movement of dominion-wide usefulness has been and brought to an effective functioning stage in Dunedin during the past few months. ... The educational and examining Association of Commercial Science seems to have filled a long-felt want, and the success that has attended its efforts during the initial stages augurs particularly well for its ultimate success. The idea originated amongst a small coterie of educational enthusiasts who appointed Messrs L. D. MTver and H Prouse to wait on Mr G. T. Errington, of the Otago Expansion League, te enlist his active interest and support. With these were associated Messrs A G. Sievwrigbt, E. D. Smyth, W. G. Fernie, and others. A meeting was arranged at which representatives from various public bodies and leading educationists were present, and it was decided to proceed with the movement. At first it was decided to prepare the ground for activities in 1932, but so much enthusiasm was created and the demand from students was so insistent that it was decided to hold examinations in 1931. These will be held at the Technical High School commencing on Monday, December 14. A feature of this association is tho fact that financially it will be selfsupporting and will add in no way whatever to the cost of education. For this year -examiners, supervisors, and other's are all giving their services gratuitously, and the Board of the Dunedin Technical College has given the rooms for examination purposes. From an attractive little booklet that lias been issued the following information is gleaned:—The Association of Commercial Science of New Zealand (Inc.) is a group of business men and prominent educationists who, actuated bv a desire to help boys and girls to find their niche in life and fill it efficiently, have ■ banded together in furtherance of ibis object. 11 be association proposes to encourage boys and girls to pursue a course of study bearing on their work of salesmanship, bookkeeping, shorthand, typing, commercial art, typography, and m general business practice and principles. At present many boys and girls pursue a secondary school course without any definite aim before them, and finally leave school totally unprepared for business life. Valuable years are thus wasted, and employers annually receive further supplies of untrained assistants. Examinations will be conducted annually by the association, and the certificates and diplomas issued will enable employers accurately to gauge the proficiency of those who apply for positions. If employers can be assured of a supply of trained and efficient employees business must benefit. Rapidly-changing world conditions demand new and higher standards of efficiency on the part of all engaged in commerce. The universities are providing courses of study which bring their undergraduates more closely into touch with scientific business. Everywhere there are indications of the close alliance that exists between the college and the business world. Those able to matriculate will find much to interest them in the Bachelor of Commerce and accountancy courses of the universities, and to these students this association extends its good wishes. It is, however, to those entering or engaging in business without opportunity, or, perhaps, desire for University life that this association makes its appeal towards greater business efficiency through definite study. Many/a great soldier rose from the ranks, and the A.C.S. has been formed for the express purpose of encouraging those in the front line .in shop, warehouse, and office, the rank and file of the commercial army, to attain greater _efficiency through study of, subjects directly connected with their daily work. The association seeks to assist such towards a broad outlook, and to this end has raised its examination standards as milestones of success in keeping with the dignity of business. The standards have been set by qualified business men, and those who attain to them arc assured that no mean value has been placed on certificates issued under the seal of the association. Candidates may enter for single subjects or for a complete group, credit being given for each subject passes, but no certificates shall be issued until all subjects comprising a group have been completed. Upon completion of a group or subjects a successful candidate shall be entitled to have issued to him a certificate given under the seal of the association. Such certificate is to indicate the particular group in which the candidate has been successful. _ As indicative of tho form of examinations the following is taken from the 1931 syllabus and shows the junior group:—

Salesmanship Group.—(l) . English; (2) arithmetic; (3) principles of commerce, I.; (4) salesmanship and advertising, I.; (5) commercial .art, I. Shorthand-Typists’ Group.—(l) English; (2) arithmetic; (3) principles of commerce, I.; (4) Shorthand, I., eighty words p.m. (minimum); (o) typewriting, 1., thirty words p.m. (minimum); actual speed o. dorsed oil certificate. Bookkeepers’ Group.—(l) English; (2)'arithmetic; (3) principles of commerce, I.;* (4) bookkeeping, I.; (o) typewriting, 1., or geography or commercial art, 1. , _ ' Printing Trade Group.— (1) English; (2) arithmetic; (3) principles of commerce, I.; (4) typography, 1., and advertising; (5) commercial art, 1. Tho association is not competitive with any other form of examination by any bodies at present carrying out such work, and the rim of the Association of Commercial Science is supplementary to any such work, and is an earnest endeavour to do something beneficial to the rank and file of the industrial army, and more especially to the nonmntriculated student. Practically all tho subjects that form the basis of the examinations are taught in the secondary, private, and correspondence schools, but up to the present 1 no systematic grouping of the subjects pointing to a definite goal has

been carried out by an outside examination _ body, j ’urthermore, it is the intention of the association to’ encourage certificate students by giving regular lectures on sucli subjects as principles of commerce, commercial art,and kindred subjects so vital to the efficiency of commercial assistants. For the examinations this year nearly; 400 entrants have been received, mostly from Dunedin, of course, though Christchurch and Invercargill will bo well represented, where branches are now, in course of formation. Encouraging letters have been received from practically all over the dominion, and the prospects for 1932 are such that success is assured. Mr N. Atmore, late Minister of Education, in accepting the office of patron, penned the following remarks:—“ I hold the opinion strongly that it is not less education, but more education of the right kind that is required, if we are to adequately equip the girls and hoys for the business of life with its increasing complexities. The. gap between school and business requires bridging, and any assistance you can give to the vocational guide movement' will be highly commendable. I feel sure that your movement, initiated in Dunedin, where so many good things have originated, will speedily spread over the whole dominion, as it will fill a long-felt want. I shall be glad toi have a talk with you on my next visit to Dunedin, and in the meantime accept my assurance that I shall he pleased to do everything possible, to assist you in all your efforts. With congratulations and very best wishes for future success.” The office-bearers are thoroughly representative, and are as follows: —• Patron, Mr H. Atmore, M.P.j president, Mr G. J. Errington; vice-presi-dents—Messrs T. Conly, W. G. V. Fernie, E. R. Grace, S. Hastie, J. 11Henry, W. Lambert, L. D. MTver, H. ; Prowse, A. C. Sievewright; Iron, secretary, Mr E. D. Smyth j Iron, treasurer, Mr W. B. Steel; Iron, solicitor, Mr MF. Hanan; Iron, auditor, Mr H. Kitchen Anyone desiring further information can obtain it at the office of the Otago Expansion League or from the secretary, Mr E. D. Smyth, care Mathesoir and Roberts Ltd.