EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2164, 15 August 1895, Page 28

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE.

Wellington, August 7.

The conference convened by the Wellington Education Board was commenced this morning. Delegates from all parts of the colony were present, aud Mr J. B. Blair, chairman of the Wellington Education Board, was appointed chairman. He briefly referred in his address to the syllabus and the question of technical education. He thought it would bs more difficult to import more technical education in tbe schools than wrs beicg done at present. Di-aw-ing was, to his mind, the only technical subjeot which could be advantageously taught in the schools.

Dr Newman proposed that the teaching cf arithmetic be curtailed in the board srhojls. The Chairman thought that that was a large order, and difficult to carry out. The Rev. 6. Barclay cpnsidered that many of the .subjects at present taught were already too much c.ur tailed. After some discussion the Chairman said that the question was too wide a one to be considered within the scope of the couference, and counselled the mover to narrow his resolution. Dr Newman then withdrew the original motion, and substituted this motion :—: — "That technics! education be more largely given in the State schools." The Hon. Mr Montgomery thought that the technical subjects to be taught should be defined. On the motion of Mr G. Caraon (Wanganui) it was decided t3 go into committee to cons ; der the resolution. — The sommittee suggested that Dr Newman's resolution be agreed to, with the addition that the kindergarten system be taught to children and technical subjects to the others. A committee was appointed to draw up a definite scheme. The conference then adjourned until tomorrow. August 8. At the sitting of the conference to-day Dr Newman brought up the report of the committee on technical education, which urged tbe conference to request the Minister for Education to reintroduce his Manual and Elementary Instruction Bill of 1892, with a view to it being passed this session ; also that the regulations should be amended so as to make provision for kindergarten teaching ; that the conference request the Minister to take steps to enable boards to make provision for evening continuation schools, and that a capitation for pupils attending such schools be provided by legislation. — The resolution in its entirety was agreed to.

Mr Badger moved that tbe building grant should be distributed on a more satisfactory ba*i*, especially in new districts, than obtained ab present. — This was agreed to.

A series of resolutions by the Rev. 6. Barclay, who urged the preparation of a new text book on elementary work in political or social economy, ethics, and morality, were rejected.

The conference intend intetviewing the Hon. Mr Reeves to-morrow «.« to the introduction of his old bill, but virtually the proceedings of the conference were concluded.

' At the Education Conference a resolution was carried that an amendment be made in the School Committees Election Act so as to provide that no one under 21 years of age should be allowed to vote,. at school committee elections.

August 9. At the conference to-day Mr Mills (Marlborough) moved a resolution to aik the Minister to alter the act so as to do away with the friction between boards and committees as to the reappointment of teachers. A loog discussion ensued. The majority of members, whiie agreeing that the prtsent proceduce was unsatisfactory, declined to vote for the motion, because they considered it would place too much rower in the bands of committees. The motion was therefore losb.

The Hon. Mr MacQregor (Otago) moved a resolution that the boards should bs elected by theelectors of the colony, and that the Minister be asked to amend the act in that direction. Tho motion was lost by the casting vo'.c of the chairman.

The motion by Dr Newman in favour of a national system of decimal notation was agrted to.

On the motion of Mr Udy (Auckland) it was reiolved to ask the Minister to amend the act by enabling boards to eit'-bliah central fchcols for children after passing the Fifth Standard, with a view to giving children a more practicil education than is afforded bj the present schools.

The usual compliments to the chairman terminated the labours of the conference D-gpUTATION TO THB MINISTKB FOB EDUCATION.

from the Education Conference waite<j upon the Minister for Education this evening. Mr Blair, as chairman, introduced the deputation, and brought under hio notice the resolutions carried by tbe conference. He urged that something in the direction of technical education should be dona this year, otherwise the" good results of the conference would be considerably diminiahed. Mr Blair explained the resolutions separately. Mr Bridge

(Wanganui) spoke as to the distribution of the building grant and the claims of the various districts. The conference, representing both large and small boards, was agreed that there should be a more equitable distribution. Dr Newman said the conference were very anxious that tbe Minister's own Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Bill of 1892 should become law this session. They thought it would settle the difficulty for many years to come. Friends of the conference in Parliament would assist the Minister as much as possible.

The Hon. Mr Reeves in reply acknowledged the important and representative character of the deputation, still he thought it a pity that official information was not given to the Minister or to the permanent head of the department. Neither was any eort of invitation extended to him to be present at the conference. Co-operation between Ministers or the permanent heads of departments was very desirable in the interests of education. He (Mr Reeves) had to depend for his information as to the proceedings upon short reports in the newspapers. He was glad to see that public opinion had now come up to his Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Bill. However, it was a question of funds, and he could only put the matter before the Cabinet and hope for a favourable answer. There was nothing in the act to prevent the kindergarten system being applied as (•ujrg.-sted. The regulation only dealt with results, not methods, Ho concurred with those who urged the claims of kindergarten methods. If there were any difficulties by reason of regulations, he would help to have them removed. He must tell them frankly that he would not give them any help as regards continuation schools. AU the money available was required for ordinary education purposes. Besides, he was opposed to the system on priuciplc ; it would tempt children from the ordinary schools. The distribution of the building grant was evidently a burning question at the conference. He was glad to see that his system was generally approved of. There were obher things to be considered besides the progress of settlement. He would be prepared to consider fully any information supplied him from different boards. If cne district obtained a larger grant one ye»r, that would have to be considered in making grants the following year. Mr Rseves admitted that legislation was necessary to prevent minors from voting' in mining diutriets. As to the introduction of the decimal notation, if adopted by the rest of the Empire, New Zealand would tot be found to stand in the way. He did not think legi-lation was necessary to give boards power to adopt a uniform system throughout the colony in the appointment of teachers. He had no intention of working the act in any narrow spirit, fit-turning to the question of building grants and the principle of their distribution, he said it was in reality a question of funds available. They had at present to make £45,000 do when about £60,000 was necessary. However, he could not propose to increase the vote, but hoped, with the assistance of the members present, to induoe Parliament to keep the gr*nt at £45,000.

Before the deputation withdrew, they assured the Minister that they had no intention to acb discourteously to him by not inviting him to be present at their deliberations. They would ■fcave been pleased to have him with them, but ftared as Parliament was Bitting h« could not spate the time.

The Minister said that he was quite satisfied witli the explanation, and the deputation withdrew after thanking Mr Reeves ior his kindness.