PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 627 



of the returns rather than co-operation for the increase of financial returns 

 of both parties.' 



One of the most humiliating things of the present War has been the mutual 

 relation of the two in this country in what is probably the most critical period 

 in our history. I will say more later on this subject, but there is no doubt 

 the subject of industrial education needs earnest consideration. Take the 

 first, the education of the professional man — the class, for instance, joining 

 such institutions as the Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineers ; we find 

 in one respect a most satisfactory progress as to what is insisted upon before 

 such men are allowed to join one of these bodies. All such institutions 

 now demand technical diplomas or University degrees, and, in addition, satis- 

 factory evidence of practical training. But to prevent injustice to the man 

 who may be self-taught, they hold examinations conducted by recognised men 

 of standing in scientific and technical subjects. Great as this progress ha.^ 

 been in recent years, there is a great deal to be done. In the first place, 

 professors and teachers of engineering and technical subjects have to deplore 

 the miserable previous training of a large number of students. It seems still 

 to be a common idea that if a boy is unable to make any decent progress in 

 the usual school subjects he can be sent to a technical school if he is useful 

 with his hands, under the pathetic impression that the success of the engineer 

 depends upon his hands rather than upon his head ; and the first year or two 

 at a technical school or college is thus taken up with work that ought to be 

 done at a secondary school. It is not fair to put all the blame upon the school, 

 for I have known students coming from the classical side of such a school with 

 no knowledge of science and very little of mathematics who have taken the 

 highest places in the engineering course, and, after entering their practical 

 work, rapidly risen in the profession, and this was because such men had been 

 well trained to apply their mind to any subject and had a sound foundation 

 upon which to build. This only shows that a good student will always rise 

 to the top, and does not prove that the present school system is the best 

 for an average boy or makes him work as hard as, for instance, the corre- 

 sponding school in Germany does. A large number of thinking men are 

 convinced that our whole education system seriously needs reform. I say 

 this not merely in reference to scientific education and technical training, 

 but to the whole attitude of mind of the young of all classes of the 

 community towards the serious work of life when they leave school. I will 

 allude to this under another heading later on. In the matter of education and 

 its bearing upon technical training, we have, then, a good deal to learn 

 from Germany. There are some things that we think are quite as good if 

 not better in this country, but there is no reason why we should not try 

 to find a way to adopt the better features of education from our enemy, 

 and, while retaining independence of thought and originality, inculcate firmer 

 discipline, for there is surely a happier medium in this matter. 



There is one matter before passing from this subject which calls for remark. 

 I see in the report above alluded to there is a great divergence of opinion 

 concerning the wage-earning value of highly technical students. Here again is 

 a matter which in itself is worth a very careful discussion. The question 

 depends first upon the student himself, next upon the kind of training he has 

 had, and then upon the nature of the work he is expected to do. The blame 

 in not getting the best results from a well-trained student is very often due 

 to the employer, and our Section might do something to bring professors and 

 employers into closer touch, and both employer and professor may have some- 

 thing to learn from each other. 



In leaving this subject I cannot help pointing out what important con- 

 tinuation schools are to be found in the meetings and discussions of the 

 younger members of various engineering societies, and how much a young 

 engineer learns in the preparation of a paper. Anyone who is accustomed to 

 take the chair at .such meetings will bear witness to the excellent outlay of 

 money represented by the award of prizes and medals for such work. Many 

 men to my knowledge have got jobs through thus showing acquaintance with 

 a special subject or originality of thought. 



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