18 A. LIVERSIDGE. 



will use their influence for the promotion of science teaching in 

 the schools of this State. I do not advocate the teaching of 

 technical or applied science in ordinary schools ; in fact it should 

 not be taught at such schools ; but the elementary principles of 

 chemistry and physics should be taught, and taught thoroughly, 

 b>oth orally and by illustrative experiments, not because the latter 

 are interesting and perhaps pretty, although if they are so much 

 the better, but because the experiments either prove something 

 or help to the understanding of something. The experimental 

 demonstrations should in all cases be followed by practical exercises 

 performed by the pupils themselves. 



Technical education, or the practical application of science, 

 should be reserved for the Technical Schools or Colleges, and to 

 the University for the higher or professional branches. It may 

 be thought that sufficient provision has already been made for 

 technical and professional education in New South Wales, but I 

 do not think that that is the case. It is quite true that New 

 South Wales is not yet a large manufacturing country, but with 

 its wealth of coal it ought to be one in a few years time, and we 

 shall then want trained men to occupy highly responsible positions. 

 Such men require the highest possible training, which must include 

 a good broad foundation of general education upon which the 

 professional education can be built ; and it is none too soon for 

 us to see that means for such training is provided, the weakest 

 point at present being in the schools. The industries of a country 

 cannot be maintained by capital and labour alone, the highly- 

 trained intellect to direct and control is also required ; i.e., the 

 co-operation of money, muscle, and brains is necessary. 



The Metric System of Weights and Measures. — Closely con- 

 nected with the subject of science teaching is the necessity for 

 teaching the metric system of weights and measures. The so- 

 called system of weights and measures used in Great Britain and 

 its offshoots, came down to us from the early Egyptian times, but 

 they have deteriorated in the process, for the measures of length, 

 volume, and weight have not that systematic relationship to one 



