AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6017, 27 August 1887, Page 3

AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.

The great Industrial battle amongst the Nations, which is to determine supremacy in the future, has been prominently referred to in the course of the present election campaign. The San Francisco mail brings information which serves to demonstrate the immense importance of the subject more clearly, and which shows thatthestruggleisbeginninginreftlearneat. On June 13, a preliminary meeting wrb held at the House of Commons, under the presidency of the Marquis of Hartington, for the purpose of forming a National Association, the main object of which shall be the promotion of Technical Education. As an outcome of the preliminary discussion, certain suggestive "subjects" were formulated. These included the formation of a Board of Advice and Recommendation; the spread or" information as to the progress of Technical Eduoation both at Homo and abroad; careful enquiry as to how far the present public schools and the present educational system meet the necessities of the working classes, besides other points bearing on the matter. Thereupon a circular letter was sent out, and on July 1, in the rooms of the Society of Arts, the inaugural meeting was held. Other nations, Lord Hartington pointed out, had been quick to perceive how science was being applied, more and more closely, to the industrial occupations of the world ; and other nations had* made practical application of the great fact. It was no longer, indeed, a question of what it might be well to do. Already the position o£ affairs had become imperative. England must move in the indicate! direction, and move energetically. The opinions of the President were fully shared in by the numerous distinguished men who were present. The formation of the Association followed as a matter of course, and step 3 were forthwith taken to secure the assistance of the chief towns and of the large industrial centres. The Society of Arts itself, as our readers have been informed on previous occasions, has for some time been working with the same end in view, prizes for competition amongst workmen being offered in such directions rs may stimulate the union of subtle brain and lissom linger. Looking, from an outside standpoint, at the great and special effort now being made, we can observe how peculiarly apathetic England has been with regard to the means for conserving her industries, and the well-being of her vast industrial population. We can, lnoreovor, appreciate the fact that England is waking up to the importance of advancement in technical knowledge, and to the desirability of being no longer laughed at on account of her Freetrade fallacies. One other fact we can appreciate with even more keenneaa, and that is, the necessity for the people in this Colony to look sharply after their own Educational and Industrial interests.