SPIRIT OF BRITISH PEOPLE STILL HIGH, SAYS ROTARY SPEAKER

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1950, Page 4

SPIRIT OF BRITISH PEOPLE STILL HIGH, SAYS ROTARY SPEAKER

“Restricted transport prevailed everywhere when I returned to England and it was very difficult to travel far,” said Mr H. R. G. Percy, who was guest speaker at the Wanganui Rotary Club luncheon yesterday. Mr Percy, who has recently returned from England, gave some of his impressions of the England he knew before coming to the Dominion in 1939 and the England he returned to in 1947. While in England he was a member of the teaching staff of Oundle School, which has a roll of more than 600 boys. Among the subjects catered for was engineering, and the school was equipped with an excellent workshop. All the boys received organised instruction in tnc workshop. The science branch of the school was unexcelled. There was a tendency to [cram boys for examinations as a high standard was required to enter the I universities and the avenues of com- | merce. Taken all round, the y>eaker thought that the New Zcr’Z -I boy between 15 and 16 years was better educated than those in England. Mentioning the name of the Rt. Hon. W. J. Jordan, Mr Percy said the New Zealand High Commissioner was an excellent ambassador for the Dominion and was very popular in Government circles. | lie said the people of Britain had endured much in the war years, but their spirit was undaunted despite some minor grouches at times. The [loyalty of the Dominions to the Mother Country was much appreciated in England and was a great stimulus in (he difficult times, said Mr Percy in Conclusion,