THE PROPER USE OF LEISURE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 30 November 1912, Page 9

THE PROPER USE OF LEISURE.

The chief effect of an inquiry into the use of leisure would be, I believe, a determination on the part of public ODinion to give better training to the children. The claim of education is now primarily to fit a child to earn a living, and therefore he is taught to read and write and learn a trade. If it were seen that it is equally important ta. fit a child to use well his leisure many changes would be made. He would be taught how and what to admire. His imagination would be developed and fed on the facts of history and nature, and his various capacities of mind and body would be trained. Public opinion greatly stirred would discover means not dreamt of at present, but there are two practicable suggestions which out of long experience I presume to urge as immediately. advisable. The first is the general substitution in schools of fortnightly holidays in the country for the popular day treats. The longer period gives time for childern to become familiar with country sights and sounds. They learn to appreciate lis quiet/ and to discover interests much more exciting than those of the streets. They lay uv> treasures which they never exhaust, nnd prepare.the way for future fruitful holidays. . . The second suggestion is that the large airy school buildings and plavccrounds should be more ,i: r o r fj v | IS ed in teachin.ee children how "to. enjoy their^ leisure.—Canon Barnett, in the Westminster Gazette.