The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1931. “YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 234, 2 October 1931, Page 6

The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1931. “YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE.”

Gloucester Street and Cathedral Square CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND. London Representatives: R. B. BRETT & SON NEW BRIDGE HOUSE, 30/34 NEW BRIDGE STREET LONDON, E.C.4.

ought to be on their guard against the plausible argument that the future of the child is threatened by any movement to bring the education vote within reasonable compass. They should consider rather whether it is not a fact that the future of many boys has been threatened by the unfulfilled promise of post-primary education that had no bearing on their vocational aptitudes, and perhaps carried them beyond the stage when they might have been apprenticed to a trade. Keeping boys at school is preferable to throwing them oh an unsympathetic labour market, hut it is at this stage that vocational guidance becomes all important, and the nature of the school training should be more closely investigated. The mischief is that post-primary education is not confined, as it ought to be in most cases, within vocational channels, and there are very few boys going to secondary schools who do not cherish the hope that they will avoid industrial occupations altogether. The bearing of apprenticeship restrictions on this phase of the problem of the child’s future might very well be reviewed, and possibly will be reviewed, in any amendment of the Arbitration Act, for the age before which a boy may be apprenticed is the most critical age in which to examine the nature and quality of his education.

A SATISFYING HOBBY. 'T'HE OPENING of the Canterbury Horticultural Society’s Show spells, for the gardener at least, the passing of the winter’s discontent, for this event is the first official recognition of spring. Since the early crocuses and snowdrops spread tentative blooms to the sun, every hour has brought some new unfolding flower, and the man or woman who has not seen these things has missed many hopeful and sweetening influences at a time when they are needed most. Gardening is a hobby at once inexpensive in its demands and lavish in its returns. It jewels the hours with wealth to satisfy the creative spirit of man. Where horticultural societies flourish, artificiality in the people’s mental outlook withers, and a community which encourages all the agencies for increasing the interest in flower culture must find very satisfying rewards.

KINGSFORD SMITH’S SECRET. ' I ''HE English newspaper that discusses Kingsford Smith’s secret might also have addressed itself to the official mystery of why this brilliant airman, who is admitted to have rare technical skill, courage and good humour in adversity, and to have accomplished every long distance flight worth attempting, should have received no encouragement from the nation, which has spent fabulous sums in establishing speed records that are insignificant compared with his performances. Lindbergh’s future was assured when he had flown the Atlantic from west to east, but Kingsford JSmitli has flown the Atlantic in the more difficult direction, and the Pacific as well, apart from his other amazing achievements between England and Australia, and his services are still entirely unrecognised by the nation. His technical and flying experience are no doubt being enlarged by his latest voyagings, but it would give the greatest satisfaction to the public to know that the value of this experience was acknowledged by the nation in some tangible way.