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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5
[miscellaneous paragraphs]
The various type-composing machines are marvels of ingenious and beautiful mechanism, and can do wonderful things—but it is just the little simple things that bother them all. We doubt if there is a composing-machine yet invented that can be coaxed into « turning » a parenthesis-mark, or a comma for a quotation when required.
If the correspondence of the new Minister of Education with the various local Boards is ever published, it will constitute a Parliamentary paper of unusual interest, and of a much livelier character than the generality of such documents. He has officially circulated not only a resolution of a trades union, but an anonymous article in an Auckland paper, fiercely attacking the system. He has not, so far, sent Typo or the Schoolmaster to the Boards for their consideration, which is doubtless due to an oversight on his part. Some of the Boards have « received » his circular in silence; Dunedin politely requested an explanation, and now Westland has sent a reply which is a good example of plain speaking. It has been extensively reprinted already, but is worth quoting in full: « This Board cannot regard the letter submitted by the Education Department from the Trades and Labor Council of Otago as an important movement of the public mind with respect to the administration of the education system of the colony, for the following reasons—(1) That the Trades and Labor Council of Otago is an organization comparatively unknown, and therefore any opinion expressed by that body on the vital question of the education policy of the colony cannot be accepted as authoritative, impartial or conclusive. (2) That there is no evidence in support of the allegations contained in their letter, that attempts are being made to introduce the Southern Cross Readers into the public schools against the wishes of a very large majority of the parents, or that the working classes have in any way expressed themselves so on the subject. (3) That uniformity of school and text books in the State schools is not desirable, nor is it expedient for the Government to undertake the compiling and publication of such books in direct opposition to private enterprise, and moreover in view of the excellent series and choice of school books obtainable in the Colony at a nominal cost. (4) That twelve years' experience of the working of the Education Act proves that ample provision exists for the protection of the best interests of the public through the many Boards of Education and school committees through the colony (all of a representative character), who have fulfilled the highest expectations of the State in dealing with the important question of education. (5) That this Board regards with disfavor any ill-advised and vicious interference on the part of any self-constituted organization with the present system of education, which is a blessing to the people and an honor to the State, and considers that Parliament alone is the proper arbiter in dealing with the abuses, if any exist. That the disparaging reflections contained in the article of the Auckland Herald of the 7th February, on the education system of the colony, do not apply to the Westland Educational district, and this board is of opinion that generally it is a libel on the colony; and further consider that undue prominence and importance has been given by the Department to the views of an unknown and irresponsible writer. »