AMALGAMATION ISSUE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10671, 16 February 1926, Page 5

AMALGAMATION ISSUE

REFUSAL OF CONFERENCE.

ANOTHER REQUEST TO BE MADE.

HIGH SCHOOL DISCUSSION

“The letter published in yesterday’s' ‘ Guardian ’ from Mr T. Hayes referring to the question of amalgamation does not in any way give reasons why a conference between; the two Boards should not be held,” said Mr J. YV. Bowden (chairman of the High School Board) at a special meeting of the Board this afternoon, when there were present: Messrs A. Lane, M. Bruce, R. Kennedy, J. Brown, W. T. Lill, and F.’ Frampton. . The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the Technical School Board’s reply to the request of the High School for a conference on amal-i gamation, the letter having oome to' hand by post after the conclusion of the ordinary meeting this morning. The reply was as follows:—“That this Board, having discussed fully the question of amalgamation, unanimously decided that amalgamation was not in the best interests of technical education. Further, this Board is of opinion that no useful purpose would result from the proposed conference.” “The Technical School Board, to me, appear to be taking up a very } arbitrary view of the question,” said Mr Bowden, “and looking at it solely in the light of technical education.” “Mr Hayes, in his letter, had also stated that if amalgamation cameabout the High School might as well close its doors, as there would be nothing to do. That was also ■wrong,” continued Mr Bowden. In regard to Mr Hayes’ statement that the Technical School had replied courteously to the BoanFs request for a confer-, ence, he thought that if one body asked another for a conference, and it was refused, the former body was not being treated courteously. The members of both Boards wore there to do their best for secondary education as a whole, and a conference was one of the best methods of doing this. /

The members of the High School Board were there that afternoon not to express their opinions on amalgamation, but to try to bring pressure 1 to bear on the Technical School Board to hold a conference. Mr W. T. Lill said that the Technical School Board’s motion, that amalgamation was opposed to the best interests of technical education, was contrary to fact, as amalgamation was one of the finest things possible. When the previous conference had been held, in 1921, the law did 'not provide for an amalgamation, but the Act of 1924 opened the way for it. Amalgamation would effect a., greatsaving in general expenses. Mr Hayes’ remark that a combined Board of the two bodies would not be representative wa6 also incorrect. He was strongly in favour of repeating the invitation to- the Technical. School to hold a conference. Mr Lill then moved:

“That the Teelmical School Board be again written: to asking its members to confer with the members of this Board to consider the question of amalgamation of the Boards, because this Board is strongly of opinion that such a conference woiild be in the best interests of the two institutions, to secondary and technical education generally, and to the community as a whole.”

Mr Kennedy, in seconding the motion, said he was sure it was in the best interests of education as a whole. He would like to attend such a conference and hear the various views expressed, more especially those of Mr Hayes. , Mr Frampton said amalgamation had been in the air for over two years, and a conference would be a wise step. He, himself, had not yet made up his mind on the matter. Mr Brown said he was also in favour of such a conference, the more so now that Mr Tate (Director of Education in Victoria) had just furnished a report to the New Zealand Education Department, in which he was in favour of amalgamation in certain cases. Air Lane also said he was in favour of the conference, and he very much, regretted that the Technical Board had “ turned it down.” Mr Bruce said' no harm could result from the interchange of views at such a conference.

Mr Bowden said that before putting the motion he would draw attention to Mr Hayes’ statement that friction would result from a conference. This was small-minded on Mr Hayes’ part. It was also very narrow-minded of the Technical School Board to “turn down” the conference. He sincerely trusted that, now the Technical School Board had seen various aspects of the case in the Press, they would be liberal enough to agree to a conference. Mr Bowden then paid a tribute to the High School, and said the education taught in the school was equal to any taught in other secondary schools. The attendance was increasing every year, and the financial position was very sound. It was decided that, should a conference- be held, the matter of the two headmasters attending would be left to the conference.

EARLIER MEETING REFERENCE.

REPLY NOT THEN RECEIVED. “I am a little disappointed .this morning,” said Mr J. W. Bowden (chairman of the High School Board of Governors) at a meeting of the Board: to-day. “I had expected to receive a. reply from the Technical School Board in reference to our request for a conference on the question of amalgamation, but none has come. That Board held a meeting last Thursday, and it has been reported that it decided not. to have a conference, but the question is, should wo discuss the matter without an official reply.” M'-ssrs W. T.’Lill, F. Frampton, and. 11. Kennedy were of opinion that the matter should not be discussed, Mr LiU remarking that he would have something to say at the next Technical Board me'ting.

It was decided to call a special meeting to consider the question when a ren-lv was received from the Technical School Board.