Denmark's Example.

The importance of the education of grownups is now recognised. The Bulletins of the World Association for Adult Education clearly show that all progressive nations are developing this side of their educational systems in ways suited to their special circumstances and needs. The striking example of Denmark has had the widest influence.

New Zealand knows of Denmark as a leader in the dairy industry and as a our principal competitor in the English market. But not so many are aware of the romance that lies behind Denmark's march into the front rank of this industry. Everyone knows that it was due to co-operation, but not so many realise that this co-operation was made possible by the deeper insight into social and economic problems, the wider sympathies and outlook that were developed through a remarkable system of education among the adults of the rural population. By this means the Danes have been enabled to obtain a greater amount of a better product.

But this, after all, is but a minor advantage, great as it is, for through their Folk High Schools the Danish people have widened their interests and sympathies and obtained a much greater satisfaction in life. And after all, vital living is what we are here to achieve. What Denmark has done New Zealand can do; the means lie to our hands, provided we are prepared to put aside our prejudices and to throw ourselves as citizens into this effort—not of reforming other people but ourselves, a task which (as Carlyle pointed out) is much more difficult.