PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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that they have been teaching Empire subjects for some little time past, but that such teaching is at the discretion of the headmaster, and subject to the approval of the school inspector or local authority; but I submit that so important a subject should be prescribed by the Board of Education, and that it should not be left to the discretion of any headmaster or inspector. I am informed that the Board of Education does not supply an Empire map, and that the choice of text-books is left to the teachers and inspectors, and I submit that this shows a scandalous state of affairs in view of the fact that the cost of education amounts to upwards of £28,000,000 per annum.
"I venture to think, Sir, that I have abundantly proved my case, and that the subject I have referred to is one of national importance, and that, in view of the Colonial Conference which is to be held in April, no time should be lost in issuing maps and text-books to all the schools in the country, with orders from the Board of Education that Empire subjects be taught. Inasmuch, however, as Government Departments are proverbially slow to move, I should like to see a public subscription started in every county and every town of the United Kingdom for the purpose of educating the people in regard to the Empire, so that when the Colonial Premiers arrive for the Conference they may see that an earnest effort is being made throughout the country to understand Colonial questions.
If you, Sir, will advocate such a subscription I feel sure that your example will be followed by all other newspapers throughout the country, whatever shade of politics they may advocate. That the people are willing, and even anxious to learn about the Empire is clearly proved by the letters I have received. These letters, Sir, are at your disposition. My object in wishing to educate the people in regard to the Empire is to create interest; interest will grow into enthusiasm, enthusiasm into patriotism, and patriotism will deal in the right spirit with all the questions of the day. May I hope that The Times" will lead the way in this great movement?
"February 6,"
"I am, &c.,
"ALLEN H. P. STONEHAM.
EXTRACT FROM EDITORIAL ARTICLE, THE TIMES," February 7, 1907.
"The whole difficulty of arriving at a satisfactory solution, whether on the topic of Imperial preference, of Imperial defence, or of Imperial constitutional unity, lies in mutual ignorance. It is, no doubt, the duty of politicians to inform themselves about the Empire. But politicians are busy men with little time to learn anything that they have not learnt already before taking to politics. Moreover, the knowledge or ignorance of the politician is only a reflection of the state of mind of his constituents. Effective Imperial unity between democratic communities can only be based on generally diffused knowledge of the Empire among all classes. To diffuse that knowledge is one of the first duties of a national educational system whose object is to make good citizens as well as good men of business. How little that duty is realized as yet by our costly and ambitious Board of Education is clearly set forth in Mr. Allen Stoneham's letter which we publish this morning. The state of affairs which he exposes is undoubtedly one which is urgently in need of remedying. It is nothing short of a disgrace that there is no general map of the Empire issued by our authorities, no proper text- book from which our children should learn something of the great heritage which is theirs. This is a reform which we venture to urge strongly upon the attention of the new Minister for Education. Meanwhile there is much to be said for Mr. Stoneham's suggestion that with the visit of the Colonial Prime Ministers so close upon us an attempt should be made by private subscription to meet the emergency and create a real and living national interest in the Conference when it assembles. That interest, he believes, will grow to enthusiasm, and enthusiasm settle into a steady Imperial patriotism to whose decision the particular issues of the day may then be safely confided."
To the Editor of "The Times.'
“SIR,—Our committee have read with the deepest interest Mr. Stoneham's letter in your issue of to-day with reference to schools and the Empire. They heartily agree with him in thinking that it is of vital importance that the children of this country, and, indeed, the public generally, should have increased opportunities of learning far more than they at present know about their fellow-subjects across the seas. The committee know from personal experience
in their work that the interest of which Mr. Stoneham speaks is a very real one. May we not hope that the local education authorities throughout the country are considering this important matter, and will do their utmost to meet the urgent need for good maps and suitable books about the Colonies?
"It may not be amiss to point out that the Victoria League is doing much, by means of illustrated lectures and the use of a carefully-selected lending library, to spread accurate information about the Colonies in all parts of Great Britain. During the past twelve months alone not less than 18,000 people have been addressed. Everywhere the interest in the
subject has been most marked, and the Victoria League is convinced that the people of this country are eager for fuller information. Our committee only deplore that they are at present unable to accede to all the requests for lectures which reach them.
"We are, &c.,
"EDITH LYTTELTON, Chair. "ELEANOR PERCY TAYLOR, Secretary.
"Education Committee, Victoria League, Dacre House, "Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Feb. 7."
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To the Editor of "The Times.”
SIR,-In reply to Mr. Allen H. P. Stoneham's letter on the need there is for good text- books on the Empire and also for maps that are well up to date, the Council of the League of the Empire have pleasure in bringing into more public notice the great work now being done in this direction by the history section of the league, chairman, Professor J. B. Bury, Litt.D., LL.D., D.Lit., Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.
"With the support of the Colonial Education Departments, for many of which the league acta as recognised and official agent, much reciprocal work between the schools of the Empire has been carried on during the last five years. Considerable interest has been awakened, and demand created for larger mutual knowledge. To meet this demand Mr. Thomas 11. Monk proposed to us some 18 months ago a scheme for the issue of a graded series of Imperial text-books, the late Mr. Louis Spitzel offering the magnificent gift of £5,000 to carry it out. The work having been placed in the hands of the history section of the league, an editorial committee was appointed, consisting of Professor Bury, chairman; Professor Hugh E. Egerton, M.A., Beit Professor of Colonial History, Oxford; Mr. Herbert A. Fisher, M.A., New College, Oxford; Mr. Thomas H. Monk (co-opted); Mr. John Murray, M.A., J.P., D.L.; Professor A. F. Pollard, M.A., F.R.H.S., Professor of Constitutional History, University College, London. Professor Pollard has accepted the position of editor.
The project is a large and important one. All the countries and Crown Colonies of our Empire have been invited to co-operate in the scheme, which is intended not only to supply a graded series of the best text-books possible, but (from the profits arising from the sales) to establish a fund for scholarships and like purposes in the different countries.
The scheme has received universal approval, and there are now 50 committees or repre- sentatives appointed by the Education Departments or Governments throughout the Empire to co-operate with our history section.
"The following report from the Editorial Committee has been just issued :--
“Cambridge, January, 1907.
DEAR SIRS, I have much pleasure in sending you a report which the Editorial Committee has received from Professor Pollard, whom the Committee appointed editor of the Imperial text-books. You will thus be able to see that considerable progress has been made.
"When the proof sheet stage is reached the Committee and editor hope to submit to you portions of the work, and have the benefit of your criticism and advice.
"I am, dear Sirs, yours faithfully,
J. B. BURY. "Report.
***Substantial progress has been made with the arrangements for the first of the League's Imperia! text-books. The general scheme for the volume was approved by the Editorial Committee in October, and it is hoped that much of it will be in proof ready to be submitted to the consideration of the Federal Conference on Educa- tion next May. Among those who have promised to contribute are Sir Frederick Pollock, Bart, D.C.L., LL.D.; Nicholas Darnell Davis, Esq., C.M.G.: R. W. Frazer, Esq., C.E., anthor of British India," in the Story of the Nations series; F. W. Pennefather, Esq., LL.D., late Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand; Dr. A. J. Herbertson, Reader in Geography in the University of Oxford: W. L. Grant, Esq., Assistant Professor of Colonial History in the University of Oxford; Thomas Sercombe, Esq.; E. I. Carlyle, Esq.. Fellow of Merton College; G. W. Gough, Esq., late Scholar of Balliol College; and H. W. Wilson, Esq., author of "Ironclads in Action."
"A. F. POLLARD, Editor.'
"There is no doubt that these books, backed by such influential support, supply ample information suitable to all ages of scholars. The funds provided will enable the committee to keep the books fully up to date, and the co-operation of the different countries will ensure accuracy in local detail.
"We beg further to draw attention to the Federal Conference on Education which we are holding next May. The encouragement our work has met with, and the large organization we have already established, have suggested the possibility that the time may now be ripe for laying the foundation of some scheme of federation of the Empire in Education. The Colonial Education Departments have responded cordially to the invitations they have received. The Colonial Office have kindly conveyed the invitations to the Colonial Departments in their official mail bags, and the English Board of Education have promised to help in making the conference a success. In connection with the Imperial text-books we would add that among other important subjects which will come up for discussion will be the policy of a more extended co-operation in issuing similar publications. In this great movement towards the confederation of the Empire, we join Mr. Stoneham in asking The Times to lead the way. and to open its columns fo an appeal for funds to enable the League of the Empire adequately to carry out this great work, and in the words of our president, Lord Tennyson, to make the occasion memorable in the annals of our Empire's history."
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"We are, &c..
"S. H. BUTCHER, Chairman, Federal Council.
"Pun P. HUTCHINS, Chairman, Executive Committee. "CHARLES J. LYALI, Honorary Treasurer.
"E. MORD MARSHALL, Honorary Secretary.
Central Offices, League of the Empire, Caxton-hall, Westminster."
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