PASSION FOR LEARNING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19648, 6 September 1926, Page 2

PASSION FOR LEARNING

DOMINION’S YOUTH KEEN. BISHOP WEST-WATSON’S VIEW. “Education in New Zealand is a step further ahead than it is in England. ’ said Bishop West-Watson when address ing a reunion of secondary school old boys held in the Memorial Hall al Christ’s College. Christchurch. “In the Dominion education has. reached a stage beyond that which lm> Y tended to harden class prejudices,’’ * continued Bishop West-Watson, “an I at present there is a passion for learning in this country. The youth of New Zealand is coming forward and nuiking the most of opportunities held out by greater education. The whole system of education in New Zealand is far beyond what is generally expected by visitors who come here from other parts of the world. It is a grand thing and the people of New Zealand must feel proud of the great progress they have made.” It had been said that although education in England was advancing apace, there were still factors in th--educational system of public schools there that fostered class pride. This was true to a certain extent and i; was bad for England. Those who re:iUsed this hoped the day was last approaching when it would be abolished. Education was not merely a means to an end. He wondered sometimes whether people were counting 100 much on the machine-made type ot education, and were being obsessed by a desire to push through examinations and reach the top. Failing to appro ciate the beauties of life they strove to fit themselves in order that ilu\\ might gain more for themselves. 'IL man who did not take his share in the bigger things of life was waste pro duct. In the schools of New Zealand Im saw great hope for the future < i tie world. They were educating thru pupils to become men who would serv< the interests of humanity, and in tluthey were accomplishing a great work The man who was prepared to tor sake his own gain to make the world a happier place was the man most "ceded to-day.