EASY CHEAP SEWING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12404, 23 August 1918, Page 8

EASY CHEAP SEWING.

Minson’s ar 0 the agents for the Davis and Uaytoma sewing machines Nothing to touch them for value. Ten years guarantee.

President, Mr M. I). Acland; secretaries, Mr J. B. Struthers, 129. Holly Road, and Rev L. G. Whitehead, M.A.‘, Boys’ High School. Tutoial Classes—History, Redcliffs, Monday, 7 30 ; Economics Riccarton Tuesday, 7.30, Christchurch, Wednesday, 7.30. Philosophy,—Thursday, 7 30. Voice Culture- and Elocution—fnday, 7.30. Popular Lecture, Saturday, August 24, “ Public Health,” Hon G. W. Russell. 8. Headquarters • Trades Hall. Objects: Education of the Democracy.

Much is being said these days about the great need for an educated democracy. It is, however, not nearly so well recognised that we cannot get the result by methods of aristocracy. The essence of democracy is self-direction, and this applies not only to the things of the will, but aiso of tho mind. In fact, the only guarantee of ever producing a democracy is by making democrats. When general compulsory education was adopted, some forty odd years ago, a statesman of the old school of aristocracy said that it was necessary to begin to ‘ educate our masters.’ They’ve been doiug it with mors or less success ever since. They have skilfully seen to it that tho working classes have been educated in a w r ay that would not unduly disturb the other classes in the balance of society.”— John Darbyshire.

Gunner H. J. Hunter, in a. recent lettoc to Mr J B. Struthers, secretatj of tbo "W.E.A., gives a fen 1 additional, details of the scheme for the education of New Zealand soldiers in Great Britain, which was launched some limo ago hy General Richardson. In his communication ho stated that “ In a speech delivered in Hornchurch Camp General Richardson appealed to us to support him in this scheme, pointing out that after the war labour problems would arise, and these lectures would assist mon to see both sides of a question ami thereby materially assist m avoiding friction.” Th 3 lectures referred to are to bo on economic matters, and are bo bo compulsory for all ranks, while it is also proposed to add another subject for study which may be voluntarily selected "Gunner- Hunter states that tho majority of tho men are showing considerable interest in tho scheme, which is based principally on the tutorial class system of tho W.E.A., and as a majority of tho teachers have _ been selected from the university-brained men in the Dominion’s forces—our late tutor, Sergeant Condliffe, is one of them—the classes ' should bo productive of much useful work, besides assisting to implant in the minds .of many of our fighting men a desire to continue their studies after their stem duties in Europe have been completed. In connection with this matter it is interesting to note that the. authorities in the Dominion have been approached on numerous occasions by the W.E.A. in its endeavour to establish classes ,on siuiilar linos to those now in operation in England, but so far little notice has been taken of tbo representations.

It speaks a great deal for tho influence and tho cosmopolitan tastes of tho association that it has been able to secure the icrviccs of men who represent every conceivable variety of thought and 00111-3 from every branch of political and social life in the Dominion, and tho association’s syllabus of popular lectures this year is an excellent, example of the interest that, is being taken in the movement by them. Tiro Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, has now definitely consented to deliver the next popular lecture. which will be held_ to-morrow evening, and bis subject uill deal with “ Public Health,” and the following ns a synopsis of the lecture; ibe Birth-rate-Loss of Population—Duty andßecpousibilitv of the Stale—The Health System— of the lltfiMr Do-partmeut—-Sale ot ! Food and .Jrugs .inlections Diseases— Bacteriologists—Tho Hospital System—Toning un the Sys-tem-How the Cost is Raid-Proposed Nationalisation of Hospitals— l he Meutal Hospitals—Maternity Homos—l Junket Societies —A National Medical Seivico Required—lmportance of I üblic Health arising our of Loss ot Alan Power by the War. The Hon G. W. Russell’s address will commence, at 8 p.nn, and a record attendance is anticipated.

In connection with the discussion between cultural and technical education tho following from the “Highway/ is particularly appropriate in view ot recent debates at the Educational Oouferonce-

Whether the part-time school? which the English Education Bill proposes to establish aro to be used for the provision of narrow technical training, was raised on an amendment by Colonel Wedgwood to delete the word “'instruction” and insert the word “'education.” The uii)iV:spy frequency with which the word “ instruction ” makes its appearance in the Bill is disturbing to the minds of those to whom the qualitative aspects of the educational problem are even more important, than