" WELL WORTH WHILE "

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10822, 11 February 1921, Page 7

" WELL WORTH WHILE "

INSPECTORS’ CONFERENCE PARLIAMENT AND PRIMARY EDG CATION. THE MINISTER’S COMPLIMENTS. At Hie close of yesterday’,; sitting of the School Inspectors’ Conference, the Minister for Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr), who had to leave the same evening for the South Island, said that he wished to express his high opinion of -the conference and of the results achieved by it. It had been a most useful assembly. In a word, it had proved itself to be the Parliament of Primary Education. (Applause.) It differed, however, in many respects ■ from some Parliaments he knew (Laughter) - notably in one thing— not every member of the conference had wanted to talk. It was very different among the eighty gentlemen, in another place, (laughter.) There seemed to be a reticence on the part of the average inspector which Was -remarkable in these days- (Laughter.) But he did not quarrel with that, because it had enabled the conference to get through a great deal of work; and very often those who eat and listened got the most benefit from a conference. The principal benefit was to be found in the exchanging in a frank and full way of the opinion and ideas of those coming from all parts of the Dominion. The inspectors had not as many opportunities of meeting together as lie would - like them to have. In these days of the grading of teachers, which was perhaps their most responsible task, it was most necessary to give them an opportunity of exchanging views as to their methods of appraising the value of teachers, and of their work. There was also an undoubted -benefit to himself and to his department. To him personally, it was a great advantage to hear the point of view of the men who were doing the walk, of the man in the field; and he wanted specially to stress the fact that no conference of this kind on such subjects a 6 they had discussed that day would be complete -without . having those engaged in the teaching profession also there to state their point of view. (Applause.) It was, as he had found throughout his public life, very important to get the other fellow’s point of view. HIGH LEVEL OF DEBATES. He complimented the lady inspectors and the lady teachers on the awe way in which they had taken their part in the discussions, adding that he could not speak too highly of Hie whole tone and level of the discussions they had had. He said advisedly that a high level of ability had been shown in the discussion of the all-important questions they had had before them. He ’ particularly appreciated the valuable speeches and suggestions made by the principals of the four training colleges and by Professor Shelley, of Canterbury College. (Applause.) He thought it was a happy idea which brought- them to the conference, for upon the principals of the training colleges depended very largely the .character and the ability of the future teachers of New Zealand. (Applause.) The opinions expressed by Prqfessor Shelley had been as a breath of wind from another world; and while he might not always - agree With the professor, he could assure him that any opinions he gax © utterance to would receive Hie careful conscientious consideration that the evident careful preparation of his , remarks entitled them to. (Applause.) They should always welcome an outside point of view. There was a danger in this little country of ours of getting into a nit; and we should always be ready to receive with open minds and with, if aniything, a favourable Idas (be views and beliefs of other lands which were progressing along the road of national -education. (Applause.) H« did not need to delay them further, except to express the hope that they would all meet again in a year’s time- (Applause.) That _ depended upon the state of_ our public finances amongst other things; nttt he would ■ count it a misfortune if this annual conference were not continued. (Applause.) -Rcr-wisherf them all during the comingvear every happiness and success. (Applause.) 'He was sure they would be all the' bettor for the conference and for the important and succemful discussions they had had. He was satisfied the conference had been well worth while. _ ■ _ On the motion of Mr T. R. Fleming, seconded bv Mr T. V. Wells, and supported by Professor Tennant., on behalf of tbe inspectors, the teachers, and the training college principals respectively, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Minister for the live interest be had shown m the work of the conference and in educational matters generally.