THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1885.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7222, 10 January 1885, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1885.

The sittings of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which has been holding its annual meeting in this city during the week, were yesterday brought a close. These have been attended, not only by a large body of local teachers and of those associated with or interested in the work of education, but also by delegates from branches of the Institute in all parts of the colony. The subjects which have engaged the attention of the members have necessarily been of a somewhat technical character, not perhaps possessing much interest for the general public, but at the same time having a direct and very important bearing on the whole field of education, together with the way and manner in which it may best be cultivated and be rendered productive of the highest results. There can now be no doubt that this Institute contains all the elements of an effective organisation, and has acquired gradually a position in which it may exert both a guiding and elevating influence on the commonwealth. At its several meetings ample . evidence waT furnished that its members are collectively as well as individually imbued with the idea that the practical training of the nation's life lies virtually in their hands. There , is, certainly, no more noble or ennobling work than that of preparing the youth of a country for the duties to be performed in after life, whether these be connected with the numerous industries which engage human activity, or with commerce, engineering, architecture, the law, the church, or even politics. And it is surely a most healthy sign that, looking at their calling in this light, the whole teaching stall of this colony are desirous, in the true sense of the words, to magnify their office. So long as they continue to regard and exercise their functions in this spirit the evil, which some mistakenly appear apprehensive of, that of having the people over-educated, cannot happen, seeing that genuine

teaching begins by holding labour of all kinds sacred and aims at preparing all classes for the doing of it in the most approved and thorough fashion. Such ought to be, and such we believe is, the mission of our New Zealand education system ; and if members of the Teachers' Institute continue to address themselves to the working out of this mission in the same spirit with which they now seem to be actuated they will undoubtedly prove the true founders of the cation's future prosperity. Another thing which specially has distinguished the meetings of the Institute on this occasion, and which is one of the best auguries of its usefulness, is the feeling of loyalty to each other cherished by all engaged in the work of education. Whatever part of that work they may be severally employed in they are on principle disposed to regard it as a grand whole, to each of whose relative parts equal importance is to bo attached. This view of their work cannot fail to foster and evoke a sentiment of true brotherhood among all the workers. It was accordingly gratifying to notice in the President's opening address, as in the reported proceedings at all their meetings, the prevalence among the members of this conception of their respective functions, and the generous spirit which is begotten of it. Anything like jealousy on the part of those employed in primary education of their brethren, whose duties are connected with our secondary schools, there was no symptom of. Nor among those belonging to either of these divisions did there appear to be any such feeling entertained towards the more limited number entrusted with our University training. To this catholicity of sentiment ample testimony was borne by several of the speakers last night at the banquet given by the Auckland members of the Institute to their visitors from the South. There as well as at the ordinary business meetings the supreme desire evinced was to look upon all the branches of our educational system as leading up to each other, and forming a harmonious unity, and all who are occupied in the various departments as co-partners in duty and purpose in sympathy and hope. We have no hesitation in affirming that the late meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute has made a very favourable impression on this community, has done good service to the cause it exists to promote, and has given very gratifying promise of increased influence in the future.