STYLE OF HANDWRITING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19969, 10 December 1926, Page 11

STYLE OF HANDWRITING.

BUSINESS. FIRMS’ OPINIONS OBJECTIONS TO PRINT SCRIPT. (Special to Daili Times.) AUCKLAND. December 8. The question of the teaching of print script yvas discussed by the Primary Schools Committees’ Association following upon 'receipt of report from the Director of Education, Mr J. Caughley, dealing with the investigations he bad made into the matter. Mr Caughley said the department invited the opinions of about 50 managers of business houses, insurance offices, banks, and professional firms on the respective merits of curtive writing and print soript. It was found there was a very strong objection to print script, specially on the part of the banks. Out of 16 replies received from the inspectors and managers of banks, 14 were whole-heartedly for the cursive style, the great objection to print writing being that it offered great facilities for forgery. Some of the banks stated that they would not allow a customer to sign in that style, as the risk of forgery would be too great. One bank in Christchurch stated that it preferred print writing for ledger work on account of its clearness and neatness, but print script signatures could not be accepted for banking or legal purposes. _ Of the 27 replies received from houses and large business and administrative firms ; IS were strongly in favour of cursive writing. Some of them objected so strongly to print script that they would not be ' prepared to accept any boy for a position in the firm who used that style of writing. One firm preferred print script for appearance and cursive style for speed. Four firms were distinctly in favour of the print script stvle, three of these being located in Auckland. The Chairman, Mr G. Brownlie, a member of the Auckland Education Board, said there was nothing in the regulations regarding the teacning of writing. The teacher alone was the judge whether he should , teach it or not. The Rev. A J. Greenwood: That is the most remarkable statement I have ever heard made in connection with education. It is most essential that writing should be taught. Mr T. Aitken said the position was scandalous. It was resolved that the director be thanked for his letter, and be asked to take steps to have cursive writing taught in all schools from Standard I upwards.