CHILDREN'S DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 8

CHILDREN'S DAY.

It was a happy idea* to gather the children of the city and suburban schools to take part in the week of dedication by which the opening of the Auckland Town Hall is being celebrated. That' so many . thousand children could be mustered so quickly and so easily was- very aptly stated by the Mayor to be a magnificent illustration of the discipline of our educational system; but that State and civic dignitaries should attend to do honour to this special function was equally an illustration of the place-' that has been taken by.'the schools in our national life and in our civic organisation. Lord Islington struck the right note when ho pointed out to the * multitude of children that this is the day of equal opportunity and that it lay with each one to do their utmost" for the good of New Zealand and of the Empire as well as for their individual advancement. Whether the coming generations will be as good as those which have passed or are passing is a much debated 1 question over which none need disagree, for Time will make the test and- that infallibly. All' that we' can do is to train and equip the rising generation for the strenuous battle which awaits it the gathering at the Town Hall yesterday was evidence that the teachers of the public schools are doing their best in this direction and need be in no way'ashamed of the result. - - ■•