WHEN LEAVING SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19513, 17 December 1926, Page 14

WHEN LEAVING SCHOOL.

THE BOY AND THE: WORLD, GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ADVICE. THE PURPOSE OF. EDUCATION. The boy who is leaving school to take his place in the world was offered same sympathetic advice by the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, speaking at the breaking-up ceremony at King's College yesterday. One wonders what you are going to make of the life which is opening out before you," His Excellency began. " I do not intend to be too solemn, but you must realise it is rather a solemn occasion I think you will find that school has been jusit a miniature of what the world is goi.ng to be to you." His Excellency said that a great part of the object .of education was not so much scholastic learning as the acquiring of a knowledge of humanity. Proceeding with his remarks, he said: "I hope you will become leaders in the true sense of the word. There are men who have made a great name for themselves, but who have been drivers, and not leaders. Now, men who drive can do great things, and they have done so, but. an infinitely greater man- is he who leads by the force of his character. You may not know how he does it, and he probably does not know himself, but it is he who has the greatest' influence for good. The man who drives consitutes what we call a 'oneman show'—he must be there to see it done—but the man who leads will leadpeople on to great tilings, even though he may not be there himself. (Applause.) "Another thing I would say to you: have high ideals. We all have to make up our minds what our capacities are, and then be determined to get to that point. But set your standard high, for even though you do not get there the effort will do you good. It is so easy to say? ' I am fit for so much and I will do just that much.' Too manj' are satisfied with setting themselves too low a standard, and when they gain their goal they think they are very fine follows. It is a very much finer thing to set a high standard and strive to reach it. The possibility is you will reach it." The Governor-General spoke of the need for some great ideal or incentive, and said that all service in life. should be an attempt to be of use to one's country, even if it were only the giving of honest private work. " You will find that the world is a bit of a lonely place," added His Excellency. " When you go amid new scenes and strangers you will come up against difficulties, and you will feel discouraged. At such times remember the influence of the school chapel. Some of you have been there for the last time to-day. Remember what you have heard there, and when you come up against difficulties and loneliness, as you certainly will, .think of that great maxim: 'Be riot affrighted, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest-.' " (Applause.)