28 Industrial Training and Technical Education. 



There seems to me every reason why the subject of education 

 for the people should be taken up on definite lines without 

 delay. As the child is father of the man, so the education of 

 the child should lead up to that of the adult. Were it resolved 

 upon, though we have lost the start, it would not now be too 

 late with our superior natural and financial resources to regain 

 some of our lost ground. 



The financial aspect of the question calls for some remark. 

 The establishment and progress of these schools and museums 

 is due entirely to Government initiative, and they are main- 

 tained at Government expense. They could not be supported 

 without it. It depends upon the point of view from which the 

 question is regarded whether it be considered as a legitimate 

 tax upon the nation at large or as a bounty given to foster 

 certain industries. I am inclined to agree with the Manchester 

 Committee who consider that the work to be done requires 

 Government control to fix where the schools shall be placed, 

 to appoint competent instructors, and to keep the Museums 

 constantly supplied with the newest appliances and examples. 

 Much as we may be in favour of decentralization we must 

 confess that local bodies have neither time nor knowledge to 

 deal with so important a national work, as it is entirely foreign 

 to the subjects with which they are in the habit of dealing. 

 Money granted for these purposes should be from Imperial 

 funds, as it would be most unequal and unfair to raise them by 

 local taxation. There are public bodies existing, such as 

 omniverous South Kensington or the Colonial Institute, 

 which, with a little change of personnel, might be entrusted 

 with a national scheme. 



I wish, gentlemen, at the risk of some little repetition, to 

 press upon you not only that the present Elementary schools 

 fail to give a bread-winning education suitable to the require- 

 ments of the poor, but that their system is directly opposed to 

 the teaching and experience of the last 30 years in favour of 

 Industrial training. For teaching to be successful, the 

 pupils must be physically capable of sustaining their attention. 

 A child cannot be physically fit without health, and health can 



