The New Zealand Educational Institute and educational reform, 1899 - 1914

Abstract

This is simply an account of the activities of the New Zealand Educational Institute over a period of significant educational reform, 1899 - 1918. I have not attempted to evaluate the work, or its influence on the reform movements or the legislation. That would require standing back further from the trees to see something of the wood. It would be a difficult task as many of the Education Department's records were pulped during World War II. For example, memoranda between Hogben and his Ministers and his other departmental officers may have revealed other influences at work. I have restricted my study to the Institute's records. Some indication of the importance which Ministers placed on the Institute's work is found in their advice given many times to Institute delegations - that the time for change was not yet ripe and that the Institute should continue to educate public opinion. The inference may be drawn that the Institute was considered to be an organisation with influence. The Executive knew the channels to use - the press, school committees, board members and members of parliament. The present Director-General of Education, Mr A.E. Campbell, recently said to me that it was always difficult to say what was the major factor influencing legislative change; the personal attitude of a Minister, Mr W.B. Tennent's personal views and the Religious Instruction and Observances in Public Schools Act 1962 is an example. the economic climate, changes of personalities in organisations all have an influence. I know how difficult it was at the outset to persuade the Education Boards' Association to accept legal provision for an Institute representative on Education Board Inquiries. Death and retirement played their part in changing the Association's attitude more effectively than argument and persuasion. Yet the Institute's work was not wasted. The receptive minds belonged to men awaiting promotion who in time made the decisions.