EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 October 1926, Page 2

EDUCATION.

AND THE EMPIRE. REMARKS BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION., By Tftlegraph—Press Association ' HASTINGS, October 7. Speaking at a citizens’ luncheon this afternoon, the Minister of Education said many agreed that the education code now trended too much to be scientific and theoretical, but experts who were best' qualified to judge held that the primary, secondary, and city curriculum was as near perfection as_ possible, and lio had the greatest respect for tho experts’ opinion, but they would not oppose other people holding opinions of their own. Two committees were beeing appointed to consider the primary and. secondary curriculum, and lie thought one or moro sound business men should be appointed to assist tho experts with their views. Is was the opinion of many that the schools were not turning out pupils as fit for business careers as thev were twenty years ago. Experts held that tho preparation for an avocation in life was only one’side of education, and he would not say they were not right, but it must be admitted that one of the principal uses of education was to train a boy or girl to use tho intellect when they enter business. That should not be lost sight of. Speaking of trade within tho Empire, tho Minister said that he was in entire accord with tho Mayor, that the importance of Empire trade should be taught' in tho schools. New Zealand’s best customer was Great Britain, and countries that put mi a tariff against British and New Zealand goods could not blame us if we retaliated.