NO GREATER TRUST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11382, 6 December 1930, Page 5

NO GREATER TRUST

PROFESSION OF TEACHING

INSPIRING ADDRESS BY LORD

BLEDISLOE

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. A very enthusiastic gathering marked the closing until next year of the Teachers Training College. Kelburn. _ ,

The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe attended and were given a rousing reception. His Excellency said it was a particularly congenial task to address them, for in the ■ days of his childhood, his great ambition was to he a teacher and he agreed with Mr. Lomas, the principal, that teachera required to be trairfed. Their principal had also said,_ “Do not .be tied overmuch by tradition.” With that he also agreed, except ip such, matters as loyal tv and patriotism. “I have never addressed a potentially more influential audience than this,” asid His Excellency. “There is no noblpr profession, thap yours, none more designed to have, a more certain or move' powerful influence on your coup try and the Empire to which you belong. It is not merely an occupation? to which, any. man or wo plan might put a hpnd with a fair measure of success. Teaching has become an art in every sense of the word, and requirs a considerable amount of preparation and examination in order to excel in that art. It is not only a profession, but it is a great Imperial trust. There is no greater. You are in what lawyers call a fiduciary position, rather than that of - beneficiary. ■ If anyone, is entering the profession of teaching to-day moved by motives of selfinterest only, I suggest he or she should seek some other occupation or vocation. The teaching is a trustrequiring patience, determination, clarity of mind, and self-confidence, without ■ conceit-, loftiness of aim, altruism. Upon' what were . their high ideals based ? If you do not teach religion (and most- of you will not),” said His Excellency, “at least show that you are inspired by religious faith, and religious conviction and by so doing you - ♦will carry '.much .greater conviction as regards the -ideals of life with those plastic and impressionable young mipds which it is your privilege to mould for their own and their country!s good; A'child to-day ha. 4 got tp be traintd according ;to its bent, and acoor;,ifio- to ■ the potentialities . for employment which might- be 'forthcoming.”