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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
It would be scarcely possible to devise a more effectual blow to the manufacturers of a place, than for the State to establish a really Technical School for their trade, with its workshops under no constraint to pay its expenses, underselling them, and interfering with their market. A State Pottery School and Messrs. Mintons’ could not exist side by side.
“ On the other hand, for the State to teach trades where the}’ do not exist, with the view of introducing them, and thereby most probably tempting them away from where they have established themselves, could, at the most, only be innocuous so long as it was ineffectual.
“ With regard to general industry, it may be taken that the action of the State cannot safely go further than by aiding and encouraging instruction in general Science—or such applied Science as Mining and Metallurgy.
“ The Commission for the College of Sciences for Ireland laid down that its aim should be to impart a sound and thorough knowledge of those branches of Science which may be applied to industry, leaving it to the student, subsequently, to specialize his knowledge, and turn his attention in the direction he may find most suitable.”
The Captain points out a method of aiding pure technical instruction "in the very best way’,” by means of the existing system of payment on results. That is to say, the teachers will received a fixed sum from the Department of Science for every pupil of theirs that passes the necessary examination, in addition to the fees paid by the pupils, or the help that manufacturers might extend, either separately or in combination, to establish schools for the instruction of their employes.
“The state, by paying on the results of elementary and scientific instruction, would assist in the instruction of the students just up to the point of their learning the absolute trade.
“There is nothing to prevent manufacturers, with energy and public spirit, from establishing as good schools as those of Iff Schneider at Creuzot, and obtaining as much government aid toward them.”
It will be seen from the foregoing account that the South Kensington Department of Science and Art has commenced the w’ork, in a broad sense, of .diffusing scientific instruction, generally, throughout the length and breadth of the nation. It will be also seen that its action is preparatory as yet, but