MINISTERS AT WORK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143781, 3 May 1912, Page 3

MINISTERS AT WORK.

DISCOVERING TBJ NORTH ISLAND. Per Prcec Association. MASTERTON, May 2. The ..on. J. A. Honan. Minister of Education, officially opened the Assembly Hall at the Masterton District High School to-day. He was accompanied by the Hon. Te Rangihiroa, Minister in charge of Maori Councils. Addresses of welcome having been given, Mr. Hanau spoke at considerable length on the education question. He stated that public opinion on this ..Question must precede legislation. In reference to the university, Mr. Hanan said • that the new Ministry had, decided to extend the principle of free university education by opening tho door to university bursaries somewhat more widely than hitherto. Such bursaries had been tenable only by those who. gained credit in tho university junior scholarship examination, even although they had not obtained scholarships. It was now proposed that university bursaries, carrying free university education, should be open to all who had completed satisfactorily four years of the secondary course. After referring to the work of technical schools, the Minister stated - that we must endeavour to educate public opinion, in order to ensure ithat hoys and girls after the age of fourteen should attend continuation classes until they had reached the age' of eighteen, fie felt that in many cases there was a period of idleness which was not in the interest of those concerned. Mr. Hanan outlined ■ the scheme which had been adopted by the Government, providing for the medical inspection of school children. He also urged the importance of education to equip children for various walks in life, laying stress upon the agricultural course, which had developed into n science. The Hon. Te Rangihiroa spoke of the advantages of education to the Maori race. WANGANUI, May 2. The Hon. H. G. Ell, PostmasterGeneral, had few leisure moments today. In the morning he received Chamber of Commerce deputations relative to the requirements of the town and district. In the afternoon he inspected the harbour works and was driven to various points of the town, and visited the public and scholastic institutions. In the evening ho again received deputations. To-morrow morning the Minister will leave for llangnvahia, where he will open tho new post office in the afternoon and attend a banquet in the evening. OVERFLOWING ENTHUSIASM. WANGANUI, May 3. The Hon. G. Ell, amongst other places, visited the Collegiate School, and declared that the buildings were the finest in New Zealand. He had heard a good deal about them, but they surpassed his expectations, es- ; pecially tho main school block, which he said contained one of the finest 1 halls in the Dominion and tho chapel. i The Minister emphasised the advan- ! tagos of such an institution in mould- / ing the character of the young men of New Zealand. MORE ABOUT ELL. FEILDING, May 3. The Hon. H. G. Ell, PostmasterGeneral, with Mr. D. Robertson, secretary of the Postal Department, arrived at Feilding this morning, and were met by Mr. D. H. Guthrie, M.P., E. Goodbehero (Mayor), and other public men. The Ministerial party proceeded to Rangiwahia, where the Minister opens the new post office building. The settlers are to tender a banquet to tho party to-night.