KAIWAIWAI.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume 2, Issue 74, 14 May 1873, Page 2

KAIWAIWAI.

(l-SOM A COEEESPONDENT.) May 11. It is truly cheering to observe the anxiety that is everywhere shown to elevate the intellectual aud moral standard by educational means. Prussia, the most paternal and benevolent of all absolute G-overnments, is perhaps, on the whole, furthest advanced as to national education, excellent ot its kind and so provided as to be within the reach of the poorest in the state. America has for many years past imitated amongst its republican people the course pursued by Prussia; and different as the people are in every other particular they are signally alike as to their wise anxiety —in the language of a popular American writer—that “ every one should be so educated that however humble be his origin he may be set out in that course which, if his talents and opportunities in life permit him to pursue it, may lead him to the highest attaiments in knowledge.and virtue.” England has at last adopted the Prussian system with little exception, and Victoria—which, of all the Australasian colonies, is always foremost in public matters of a laudable character has done the same. New Zealand is also ripe for compulsory education, and in a year or two hence that salutary measure will doubtless have become law amongst us. Unless, indeed, statutory power on the subject is established many will remain in stark ignorance, notwithstanding the facilities that are already, and may be hereafter, at the disposal of our community for acquiring knowledge. Not a few well meaning, but not quite so well judging people, are very fond of express) ng ( thern sol vs to the effect that what they choose to call a little edu-

cation is abundantly sufficient for the multitude. There must, say such reasoners, be laborers; all cannot live by labor purely intellectual. So far no fault can be found, with the statement of the rase; but miserably illogical and very mischievous is the inference perversely drawn from that statement. Education was never designed to thwart labor, but on the contrary to sweeten it, and lead those who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow into sources of enjoyment totally unknown to the illiterate. If a man is only a chimney sweep, says the illustrious Sir Isaac Newton, he ought to be an educated man ; and the great statesmen of the present day—'Mr Grindstone and Mr J. Mill—have repeatedly given utterance to similar sentiments. It is gratifying to find that our own pro- ; vince has in a comparatively short period made no small progress in ( demolishing the strongholds of ignorance through the exertions of its Board of Education, who are evidently desirous of “ lengthening their cords and strengthening their stakes” with a view, to promote the welfare of the , rising generation.

The upper Wairarapa Lake teems with ducks and black swans, and sportsmen have lately had successful limes of it on us banks.