COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 14484, 9 March 1917, Page 7

COMMERCIAL EDUCATION.

AFTER-WAR PROBLEMS.

A public lecture on the study of modern accountancy was given last night at the I University College Buildings by Mr. W. H. Hemingway, F.P.A., New Zealand, lecturer in accountancy and commercial law. In the course of his address, the lecturer touched on many points of vital import-' ance connected with .the readjustment of trade after the war, and the need, for commercial education and organisation. Great changes had already occurred, not only in politics and industrial conditions, but in regard to education, particularly commercial education/..,and ..there was every reason to believe that even greater changes would occur-in .'the near future. '' Wo must never forget," said Mr. Hemingway, " that success on land or sea* against i Germany ; does ~ ; not necessarily mean ;we are going to be successful in capturing German trade. 1 .; Germany won her commercial position largely on merit. However badly the Germans are beaten, they will havo great recuperative powers, even greater than France after 1870. The Germans will make, are now making, strenuous efforts to recover their. commercial position. When militarism is brought to a stop is it not reasonable to assume that the energies which were centred in militarism will be directed to commerce? Hence when competition again begins to operate tho capture and retention of German trade may bo a more difficult matter than most people seem to realise. It, is our national duty to begin our preparations— that at once. The lesson Great Britain has had in organisation during the last two yearH should prove .one of the greatest possiblo value towards commercial success in the future. But our education must follow. -To place ourselves even Ja a position to be really successful, our educational system should be thoroughly overhauled, .particularly commercial and technical education." ;;'; "". 1 Emphasising .the value of commercial education, the lecturer spoke of the. effort made some five years ago by ' the Now Zealand . Society df Accountants to induce the senate of the University of New Zealand to include as optional in the matriculation course commercial subjects, such as practical book-keeping.;,, Whilst recognising the undoubted value of dead languages for ■ professional and culture purposes, the Society ;of Accountants considered that those destined for commerco should 'rather be given a grounding in? commercial subjects. The suggestion, however," was not adopted. It was, therefore^"' particularly interesting ,to note that :in the amended regulations governing' the equivalent of matriculation for ? the : University of Mel- ? bourne, it- had been decided rto add '.'.two? subjects which form part of- every /complete course? of commercial education; •;. The two subjects added to the school-leaving examination—equivalent to? matriculation --by the senate of the University of Melbourne .were (a) commercial manciples, and ■(b) commercial practice. , ! There. was no doubt that were such subjects added to the New; Zealand ? matriculation j: syllabus it could only redound to the commercial welfaro of the country.