The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-10-29 00:00:00

MR. ADDEILLEY ON TIIE EDUCATIONAL
MINUTE.

The annual distribution if prizes by the Association
for the Promotion of Dlnentiou in the putiteke to„),
place on Thursday afternoon, at the boardsroom of the
North Staffordshire Railway atation, Stoke-npou-Trent.
The Reshot. uf Lichfield ids-aided, sict waa supported by
Mr. Adderley, M.P., Arclidensin Moore, the Rev. Mr.
Notria, the Government Inspector of Schools, the lice.
Sir Lovelace Stainer, and a large number of the clergy
and gentry of the distiict.
Mr. Adderley, M.P., in addressing the meeting, staid
the greatest intervel was inanifeated by the wind°
county of Stitt:era in the distribution of tl.exe prizes,
aod he felt convinced that the increase in this descrip-
tion of meetings showed that the eouttry was growing
Isere and more satisfied that the venting o annual
money rewards washeconsing • most important feature
in our idan of national education, sod that meetings
like the present would do more than the national granta
from the Privy Council. (Hear, bear.) Indeed, it was
his opinion that they ought not to look forward too
much to that description of eubahly, hut rely more on
the voluntary envied.' which woe given, and the
intereet which was manifeeted by the employers of
labour in the causer of education, mot umelt more to the
awakened iiherest and appetite of the parents of the
children themselves for teeming. That wee, after all,
the most important point ; all the rest, to nal an old
proverb, was but the taking .1 the horse to the pond
that alone wee making hits ill ttic when he was taken
there, lie hod been much struck by what had been
I tone in this way by Mr. Reiland, the member for
Gloucesterthire, who watt rem of the most enlightened
agriculturistn of the presi lit day ; and so strenuous
had his exertiens been in the cause of education, that,
in a very large circuit round his farm, none of the
children of labourers could get employment unless they
could read and write, and that feet being petfectly well
known to the parents, they took good care to send their
children to school. (Near, hear.) At the saute time,
such was the edvaucage to the labourer that the farmers,
when they OnCe obtaimal a good skilled labourer,
succor on 111,3' account parted with him. (Cheers.)
They loot in that county succeeded, by such means, in
doing what they never could accomplish by Government
suhatlies, backed as they were by the goodwill and sup.
port of the employera of labour, and all the intelligence,
zeal, and exertions of the clergy. That proem' that it
was necessary to create in the people themselves an
appetite for educatioi., and be of the VCry best InCand
of stimulating and creating that appetite was tin;
periodical distribution of prizes by institutions like the
pressent. (Hear, bear, and cheers.) It produced a
spirit of euitilstion and a roper Rinbition antoug the
scholars theuißelves, awl he could not but believe that
such institutions wealsl do more for the promotion of
education in Staffordshire than all the money which
they got from the Treasury, atd what was still more
valuable, all the money which they got from the elm
ployers of labour. (Hear, hear.) And gentlemen, con-
wittinued Mr. Adderley, I believe that such is the
opinion of the Government, and that it was the honest
intention if the eduesitionnl minute, which has of late
been so much dimmed in the country. Whether the
plan proposed by the Government is • wise end practi-
cable one I will not attempt to give tot opinion
upon. I believe that many of the details of that
Oen are mally and truly open to the objectious
which hove been advanced, and I fully agree
with those who Inure made such objections
(Cheers.) But let me say this boldly in the face of day,
as I have omitted no opportunity hitherto of saying it,
that I attach less weight to those objections because, to
the best of toy knowledge, awl after a careful scrutiny.
I do not find that any OKI of Roan advanced as yet
really touches the essential principle of the change
proposed by the Government. The change which has
been propeol is intended, at all events, to increase the
responsibitity of the 'outagers on the spot, who have
the echool in their own hands, awl to awaken the mei
and interest of the scholars themselves by attaching the
Government aid to a recognised and tangible result,
inrtead of granting aid broadcast, as it were, without
reaping anything Ilke adequate or satisfactory results.
I soy that in that sense, mad if ouch be the intention of
the change, it Rd au important one and • good one.
The objections which have been hitherto made are
entirely of a financial character, and which, I think,
might all be made, Rod yet not touch the warnce of the
alterations his it bare been proposed. At the same
time, it is necessary that the detaile should be as
correct as less:able ; and, therefore, I hope that Parlia-
ment will take the earlisst opportunity of dealing
honestly and earneetly with the question. At the
present anoment, I repeat that I will not take upon
myself to say whether the Government plan is
objectionable or not. There are many great difficulties
in the way ;. hut that the intention of the Government
was a wise one I have no doubt whatever, and if the
plan proposed, or any other, should, after full exami-
nation and discussion, Mon out a good one. lam firstly
of opinien that the country will act wisely in giving all
the aid they can to the Ouvernuient, in order that its
intentiona in respect to this subject may be carried into
effect. (Hear, hear.) I think that these very prise
exhibitions prove Oust it ia wine that we should strive
as much as poseible to connect all public aid with somc.
thing like tangible reenlist and as much as possible
increase the sense of responsibility which is felt by the
manßgers of the schools on the %pot, rather than to
trust entirely to the Ruperintendenos of • central board
in London. (Cheers.)