Correspondence

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VII, Issue 2002, 27 July 1907, Page 3

Correspondence

TECHNICAL EDUCATION. 10 THB BMTOK.

Sir,—Without pretending that technical education is the panacea for all tho ills that do pervade the universe, or that it will regenerate mankind, it may yet Ijo permitted mo to point out some of tho advantages of such train-ing-advantages not always discerned by many of our toilers, and often misunderstood, especially by tho rising generation. . ' There is an unfortunate circumstance connected with the dissemination of knowledgo, in that tho majority of mankind como into this world very young mid uneducated. lam open to correction on this point by some budding philosopher or " phootbnllcr," of course, but as it was the opinion of Sir Isaac Newton, and is also held by many men who havo reached life's allotted Bpau, I accept it as correct. • Most peoplo know how to value the result of technical training when they are purchasing, say, a house, a dress, or a suit of clothes, or eat a wellcooked meal; but wo are inclined to forget tho failures which preceded the success. To obviate these failures is one object of technical education, and when it is allied wth the natural adaptation of tho individual, we may reasonably expect success. Tho importance of technical education is also increased by the fact that we have a protective fiscal policy in forco. Tho ostensible reason for our protective fiscal tariff is to encourage local manufacture, and you havo alroady. pointed out that our manufacturing industries are not keeping pace with tho increase of population. Surely then it must be apparent to all that, unless like others, wu also technically cducato our workers, wo must either be content with inferior articles, or pay the duly increased price for foreign goods. I read that American boot manufacturers havo attained such a pitch of perfection in light boot wear, that colonial workmen are often unable to successfully competo even with the protection afforded by tho tariff. The oicinl figures for 1805 show that from the United States wo imported boots and shoes to the value of £Gl,loO, while from Germany came boots and Bhoes to the extent of £2399 during tho same period, while we sont America leather to the vnluo of £1599.

I am personally acquainted with two young ladies still in their school days who uro attending the technical cooking classes in Auckland. They are excused froiv tho primary school upon certain dayo, and go from the North Shore to attend their class. In this particular instance thoy have made- good progress, an 1 delight to think that they can show their mother how to cook. The mother prefers to let them think they can. Rudimentary agriculture is another subject that all children should have some knowledge of, for what can promote self-respect and independence so much as the knowledge that it is necessary, and they can individually produce their own means of sub'dstence, and are not necessarily behoven to any one for employment? To assist them in this direction is the object of tho movement, and I have written not to attract attention to myself but to help to concentrate efforts upon establishing those classes in Waihi within tho short space of time specified, and thus show to our iiciGiigli Fathers tho way in which wo would have them to walk.—l am, etc., K.N.D. Waihi, July''3rd, 1907.