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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 24
Appendix A
Appendix A.
On the 25th March the Secretary to the promoters despatched the following Memorial to the Postmaster-General:—
- "To the Honorable the Postmaster-General of New Zealand.—The Memorial of the undersigned, being a Committee for organizing a Society to Promote the Study of Economics in the common Schools, and to Encourage Habits of Thrift among the Young People of the Colony.
- "Tour Memorialists venture to ask you to assist them in their efforts to awaken an interest in, and induce a practical recognition of the above objects on the part of teachers, parents, and all who are desirous of advancing the well-being of their fellow-colonists. In particular, they allude to the introduction of the Savings Bank into the School as a means of teaching a branch of systematic education, and of inculcating the practice of such virtues as forethought, self-dependence, and self-denial. "For practical illustration of this, they respectfully direct your attention to the accompanying pamphlet descriptive of its working in the Schools of Belgium.
- "What your Memorialists specially desire is, that you would second them in their wish to see a similar system of education carried on in the Schools of the Colony by your being pleased to authorize that the Savings Bank should be conducted in the Schools as a supplementary branch to that of the Post Office; and, in the event of your consenting to this, further, to cause such arrangements to be made as would reduce the work of the teachers—connected therewith, to a minimum.
- "Your Memorialists humbly submit it as their conviction, that the subject is one of vast importance to the community, and they feel confident that, aided by the countenance and support of the Government, the proposed Association would be instrumental in effecting a much needed reform of improvident habits, and which would conduce largely to the moral and material wealth of the Colony. They are also of opinion that the carrying out
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of the proposed objects would be a powerful though indirect agency in helping to check the terrible scourge of the age—Intemperance. - "Your Memorialists have pleasure in calling your attention to the fact, that his Excellency the Governor and Lady Norman by have been kind enough to become patrons of the Association."
To this, the then Postmaster-General, Sir Julius Vogel, at once replied that he was quite in favour of the proposal, and that if, upon inquiry, he found it could be conducted without interfering with existing school machinery, the matter should be proceeded with.
(Signed) Win Johnstone.
Margt. Johnstone.
Wm. Dalrymple, Senr.
L. W. Dalrymple.
E. G. Downes.