Education: Two Kinds

NZ Truth, Issue 931, 29 September 1923, Page 1

Education: Two Kinds

It must be admitted that a tech- . nical education is practical. That an academic training, that is, grammar school and university; is also practical has not always been satisfactorily proved. Culture is worth while for Its own sake, but it is folly to forget that it does not of itself support a wife and family, or pay rent. Unfortunately a highbrow training predisposes a man to accept certain intellectual fads and frills, by which he justifies or condemns every subject under .the ' sun. And it appears a sad waste of time, when neglecting a technical training, to spend! years m the acquisition of languages for which the stur dent m later life has little or no use. It should be remembered, that it takes , a lifetime to learn a language thoroughly. Life is short, and most men should .learn those things which may be translated into cash m, the battle for existence. Half knowledge, and unfinished courses of study m half a, dozen branches, is fatal. Yet how often do men spend year after year at the university before getting out into the city where they are to begin to learn something really useful and profitable about the profession that has yielded them a degree? -Thfe goclally advantages offered by a professional education have drawn too many dud recruits into the professional ranks. When the tech- . nical training andi Its prospects arc made even half as attractive as those of grammar school and university n milestone 'will be passed on the road to industrial peace and prosperity.