NOTE AND COMMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3726, 28 April 1899, Page 5

NOTE AND COMMENT.

Although, a.i Mr Blair justly pointed out

EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL PKOOHESS.

in his remarks at the opening of the addition to 'Wellington Technical School buildings, it is erroneous to suppose that the aim of

such a school is to teach young people trades, yet it is clea. that, the practical knowledge and mannai dexterity acquired at an institution of that kind must greatly aid in the rapid acquisition. of a trade. A recognition of this truth was doubtless the underlying motive that impelled the Industrial Association to make such strenuous and successful efforts to secure an extension of the accommodation for tne Wellington Technical School. That association, composed ns it is of manufacturers and others interested in the industrial development of the country, has displayed a mixture of enlightened self-interest and praiseworthy altruism—which under existing conditions is the basis of true patriotism and progress—in giving such generous aid to the cause of technical instruction. The manufacturing industries of this country—incipient though' thrtKondition of many of them still is—' employ about one-third of all the breadwinners, who annually draw m wages about £2,000,000. Mr Samuel Brown, in mentioning these facts at the inaugural meeting the other evening, further remarked that he estimated at £0,000,000 the capital invested in manufacturing industries in New Zealand, while the yearly product of these industries reaches a total value of £12,000,000. It is obviously to the advantage of those who have such large monetary interests at stake to see that the intellect, the hand and the eye of the youth of this country are all trained in the best possible way, with a view to the efficient acquisition of. whatever' craft they may elect to pursue. So far ns Wellington is concerned, the people have shown a fidl appreciation of the efforts made in that direction; and the outcome must be that New Zealand will be able meantime to hold her own against 1 the competition of the world, and ere long become self-sufficient in the industrial sphere. Parents, who find a difficulty in placing their boys and girls at remunerative callings, cannot be too grateful for the efforts of the Industrial Association, the Government and the Board of Education to extend the manufacturing industries of the country and to see that young people are thoroughly equipped for industrial pursuits. There is a disposition on the part of those who dwell in cities to 'ook

HOMES IN THE COUNTRY

with longing eyes upon a small estate in the .country Where, ““far ' from" ‘“ the madding crowd,” they might

enioy a season of quietness and repose. If the gratification of this desire is beyond their means

cr , ; convenience, city...folks, become eager in their agitation for land for closer settlement ; arid it is' this : earnestness on the part of the residents of the towns as much ks the desire ,of the fanner for land for his sons, that has enabled the Minister of Lands to prosecute with such vigour and success the settlement o. the lands throughout the colony. These measures, excellent as .they are, have not, however, fully satisfied the longings felt by city dwellers for an opportunity to enjoy the independence and comfort that a homq in;trie country can provide. And now we learn that: Mr Onghtou’s 'farm, at North Taieri, a feiv miles out of Dunedin, ana within half an hour of the city by rail,’lias been purchased for settlement, ’ in' rfreas of from three to five acres. The execution of this scheme will give Dunedin 'working men, artisans and clerks an opportunity of acquiring a home in the country within easy distance of their employment. A similar project for the benefit of the Auckland workers is also being developed.

There was a time when the idea of “three acres and a cow” was spoken

what : is HONK IN KNOI.ANU.

of with contempt by those who had little sympathy with the needs of thei people.

These good folks ’had Hundreds of acres,. perhaps thousands, and found, with their great ideas and as great expenditure, we had almost said extravagance, a difficulty in living, upon their land; but it has been conceded »y all who have closely iitiKliecj |he - .p'eni&nnt;lifo in England, that fin industrious man can make more than a decent livingupon so small an area. , We; notice that' at Methwold, in Norfolk, a new, order of land settlement has been inaugurated. The land is being taken possession of, not by country folks, but by clerks and the better sort of artisans, who have become •tired of the pressure and Unhealthy ednI'clitions of city life, Many of The holdings are only two acres' in extent, and rihe settlers SeeriL to] do yjrjr . ],We i are told of one- man who has done excol- ; lently on as little as half an acre'. ■ He i bought half ah acre of,land and gradually i covered it with glass houses. , The sale : of his' produce -enabled- him to build- a i good sized privrtte house in one corner |of his small estate, and to bring up a i family of twelve or fourteen children. ■

Some time ago. Hr J.esSe Codings, who, is

well known because of; his it interest in'agricultural af- • ' fairs, paid a visit to'this 1 colony in Norfolk, arid was

why no’ Also HERE ?

. deeply impressed, with what he saw there. He saw- how men'inured to city life toot kindly to'.country life and prospered. , A spirit of mutual help animated the colonists, and ■ although every man was “on his own,” yet the spirit of true socialism permeated what Mr Jesse r Golfings 'described as the free, healthy find not unprofitable life of'the ■ colony. We do not know that so small areas, even, in, close proximity to the cities, would provide an adequate living for meit in this country ; but there can be no . question that an industrious; man who had say only casual work in the city, would be atle to profitably employ himself on his “off days” at his. home, with its three or five apres, in the country. 'iThis 'is pretty certain to be the aim of those ; who have purchased the estate'close' to , Dunedin, anu.as.a means pf relieving the congested conditions of city life it rahst

have the commendationof all who desire to see their fellows healthily mid happily employed,., Is it not time that the people of Wellington were, bestirring themselves on this subject ? : No colonial city has such great need of an outlet for the congested town population. , The local members of Parliament ought to take up this question with vigour.