R. B. Haldane

“ Gurlitt says, that 'while the Englishman always and everywhere grasps what is actual, and from this point, and as far as this basis extends, builds further, the more reflective German gets away into the distance, and so loses his hold upon what is present.' But in method, and in the knowledge of science and of its application to industry, we Englishmen have to-day good cause to regret that we have not cultivated something of the German passion for thoroughness in the art of imparting knowledge in our schools. No wise man wants to Germanize English educational institutions ”

“ The more one examines the facts, the more clearly is the conviction borne in on one that the condition on which alone a nation can give the highest technological training to its captains of industry is that it should first have provided for them general culture. This need not be the study of Latin and Greek, but it ought to be a liberal education, such as tends to broaden the mind and develop the capacity, both for acquiring special knowledge and for giving it its right place. ”

“ The place of science nothing can take, and more science we must have if the close of the twentieth century is to find us still occupying the position which we now hold.
The Mother Country ought to be a great and sufficient educational centre for the Empire. The time has come when we shall do wisely to devote money and time and energy to making it so. The great self-governing portions of the King's dominions may be able to provide for themselves in highest education, as in other things ”

“ In mining and metallurgy and in engineering there are branches of applied science which may best be studied in the neighbourhood where the science is applied. The industrial development of Canada, for instance, has enabled the McGill University at Montreal to specialize in certain branches of this kind of teaching, with advantages that are almost unique, and already young men are going over from the Mother Country to get the benefit of these advantages. ”

“ In Germany the so-called 'Technical High School' is really an institution on a level with the University, and gives an education in applied science to students of University standing and age who have such a general education as has enabled them to obtain the leaving certificate of the secondary school. ”

“ Not only have we all a good deal to learn from each other, but, if I am right, there is in addition exchange of ideas wanted, with a view to the coordination of the educational system of the whole Empire. ”

“ I hope that, in any policy of coordinating the University teaching of the Empire, the importance of a scholarship system which may encourage students to go from University to University throughout the Empire, just as they do in Germany, will not be overlooked. ”

“ It is wonderful to watch at Lincoln's Inn the multitude of coloured students of law who come here and frequent the common-rooms and the libraries with a view to getting called to the Bar, and then returning to practise before the tribunals of the distant places from which they have come. ”

“ That we, the foremost nation in the world in the production of gold and silver, should hitherto have had no central school on the level, in point of equipment, of those abroad is indeed matter for serious reflection. ”

“ It is true that these things grow, and that they cannot be called into existence before their time, or artificially. But their time seems to have come, and the demand is already beginning to show itself. ”

“ Others of our Colonies must depend on us in an increasing degree for a long time to come. I have for long thought that the educational link might be made a very real one in the organization of the Empire. ”

“ Everywhere we are deficient, not in certain kinds of technological training—for to our workmen we offer in a multitude of splendid evening schools opportunities that are nowhere surpassed—but in the highest kinds. ”

“ In this country we have hitherto had no institution of this kind, but there are indications that its equivalent is likely soon to be developed. In the arrangement of the courses of instruction the opportunity will arise for bearing in mind the requirements of those whose lives are to be lived in the Colonies. ”

“ On the other hand, the attempt is in progress to create in London, the heart of the Empire in the organization of its industry as well as of its Government, a new school where the highest training may be given in the science and art of obtaining the precious metals from the mines where they lie hid—not too soon, those may think who have read Mr. ”