MINISTER of education.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 7

MINISTER of education.

A FULL DAY OF WORK. VISIT TO TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Yesterday morning, at 9 o’clock, tho Hon. R. A. Wright (Minister f Education), accompanied by Mrs Wright and his private secretary (Mr W. I. Deavoll), paid a visit to the King Edward Technical College. Mr Wright was received by Mr T. Scott (chairman of the Board of Managers), Mr J. Horn, M.P., and other members of the hoard, and cscortecd to the Burt Hall, where he was given a rousing reception by over 500 students. In a brief address, Mr Wright expressed Lis sympathy with technical schools and technical pupils, and said In* was pleased to see before hir so many young people who were intent on devoting themselves to technical subjects with a view to acquiring knowledge to suit them for a trade, a commercial c.. mg. of a professional. Notwithstanding all that might be said about unemployment—and he did not say it did not exist—ho had lived long enough to know that the man or the woman who qualified for his or her work would not be long in tho ranks of the unemployed. Further, the man or the woman who was not afraid of work, or who did not look for the maximum amount of pay for the minimum amount of work, would not lack employment. It would bo well for everyone to recognise there was no royal road to success. He urged the young people to develop perseverance and industry, and they would bo successful in life. On the motion of Mr Horn, M.P., a vote of thanks was accorded the Minister, and the pupils heartily cheered Mr and Mrs Wright, Mr Horn, the Board of managers, the staff, and others. Tho Minister visited several class rooms and saw the young people at work. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The Boys’ High School was visited shortly after 10 o’clock. Mr Wright's attention was directo' 1 to the Gab of Remembrance, which he and Mrs Wright viewed with reverent interest. The Minister was met by Mr Morrell, rector of the school, and introduced to members of the Board of Governors— Mr J. C. Stephens, Mr J. M. Callaway, Mr H. Webb, Mrs S. M. Park, and Mr C. R. M’Lcan (secretary). In the school hall tho boys, 700 in number, were assembled, and the visitors, the members of the Board of Governors, and the teaching staff took their scats on tho platform. The Rector welcomed Mr Wright, and proceeded to mention the names of old pupils of the school who had risen to positions of eminence in various walks at life in the Dominion. He was proud of the fact that these ex-pupils had acquired a good name for the perloimancc of their duties in their respective callings. Some of them, like other Otago men, had gone north and risen fairly high in centres in which they had found greater opportunities for. their exertions. The boys of the school had gone forth ready to do to the bust of their ability their work in whatever vocations might fall to them, and wishing to add something to the traditions of the school. (Applause.) He also welcomed Mrs Wright to the school. — (Applause.) Tlie Hon. Mr Wright thanked the school for the welcome to Mrs Wright and himself. The school, he had been informed, was very full, and the ground surrounding it was insufficient. He hoped the same mistake in respect to ground would not be made in connection with the school about to be erected in Macandrew road. He had listened with interest to the rector’s remark that many old boys of the school had taken up honourable positions in public and civil life. Where there was a good school, with a capable band of teachers, it was only to be expected that many of the pupils would ultimately take a prominent part in the affairs of the nation, and of tne Dominion. It might be that there were before him that day boys who would some day occupy positions in the Cabinet. If they were as well qualified to do their work as others who had preceded them it would be well for the country, because the names the rector had given were the names of men who had made a most creditable record for themselves. He knew the hard study manv a young man had to undertake to qualify himself for the position he was aiming at. Some people, of course, gained their end through the effort of others, but after all, there was nothing so valuable in life as the experience a man pained by his own individual effort. —(Applause.) Those people who, like Micawber, were waiting for something to turn up would be disappointed, and the people ivlio would make their way in life were those who were determined that by industry, perseveronco, and application they would attain the object in view.—(Applause.) The 801010175 gave a “haka” in honour of the Minister, producing a volume of sound that made the hall ring. On the motion of Mr J. O. Stephens, tho Minister was thanked for his address, and lusty cheers were raised for Mr and Mrs Wrieht, the board, the teachers, and the old bovs. GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The Hon. Mr Wright, accompanied by Mrs Wright, and members of the Board of Governors, were welcomed at the Girls High School by Miss King, tbo lady principal. The pupils had gathered in the hall, and occupied all the space on the floor, and in the gallery. In a few words the lady principal introduced the Minister. . The Hon. Mr Wright said he was pleased to see such a largo assembly of girls, and expressed the hope that every girl before him was doing her best to acquire a first-class education. He be lievod that girls should bo educated just as thoroughly as boys. That was the aim of the Education Department Girls should have equal opportunity with boys all tho world over, and why not? Women were to-day taking an active part in all departments of life, and they should ho educated to fill well the positions they took up. Let the girls before him make ample use of the time they spent at school, so that when they left school thev would have acquired an education that would help them in after life.—(Applause.) , . . The lady principal assured the Minister that from the appreciative way in which tho girls bad listened to him, she could see he had quite won their hearts. —(Applause.) Cheers were given for tho Minister, Mrs Wright, the board, and the teachers. BOARD OF GOVERNORS. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Mai lard, Webster, Calder, and Somerville, representing the Old Boys’ Association, waited on the Minister, and asked for representative of the association on the Board of Governors. It was suggested that the ex-Girls’ Association should also be represented. The Eon. Mr Wright said it might be necessary to introduce legislation to increase the representation at present allowed on the board, if the request were to be oiven effect to. Ho would look into the matter. Mr Mallard said the association would place its views on the suggestion in writing, and forward them to the Minister. SCHOLARSHIPS. A deputation from tho High Schools’ Boards brought under tho notice of tho Minister the position of scholarships given by private benefactors to boy and girl pupils of the two schools. Under the re gelations a free place cannot bo held by a pupil together with a scholarship exceed in fil' pei annum in the case of a boy or girl living at home. Comparatively re contly Mr John Blair left provision in his will for scholarships to the amount of f!25 per annum to pupils of the boys’ and girls’ schools, to be awarded to those scholars whose parents are not in a posi tion to educate fully their children. The result of the regulation is that the Government compels tho holder of such

scholarship to pay his or her fees at the school, and it was submitted that in tho result the Government takes part of the scholarship. The Hon. Mr Wright promised to take the matter into consideration. AT THE UNIVERSITY. In the afternoon the Hon. Mr Wright visited the University Buildings. Before setting out to look at some of the rooms, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.l’., Chancellor of the University of Otago, welcomed the Minister to the institution. The difficulties of the University, he said, were mainly those of finance, but they were glad to acknowledge that they received every possible consideration from the department. The main difficulty surrounding the University at present related particularly to special schools, and they knew the Minister and his officers were endeavouring to Lind a solution of that problem. The Hon. Air Wright made a suitable reply. The Minister was shown through various parts of the buildings, and at his own request was taken to the now Medical School in King street, whore, under the direction of Dr Malcolm and Dr Hercus, he went into a number of the class-rooms. Mr Wright and party then proceeded to the Home Science Department, where they were entertained at afternoon tea.