EDUCATION BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 258, 29 October 1921, Page 12

EDUCATION BILL.

DISCUSSED BY THE HOUSE. AIORE ATTRACTIVE LESSONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Tn the House of Representatives this afternoon tlie Minister of Education, lion. C. J. Parr, moved the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill, which, lie said, proposed certain amendments which the practical working of tlio Act made advisable . Referring to section lii, which, provided that teachers must take the oath of allegiance, Mr. Parr said a measure dealing with university professors would be brought down later, as this hill was not a proper place in which to introduce such a provision. Mr. T. K. Sidcv (Dunedbi South) asked whether those affected would have (lie opportunity of making representations regarding the provisions of the bill. The .Minister said the bill would go to the Education Committee in the - ordinary way. Mr. Sidey proceeded to criticise the bill for.what be said it did not contain, i Mr. A. P. Malcolm (Clutha) said he i thought there was room for improve- i "lent in the methods of making lessons ■ more attractive. lie advocated teach- ! ing shorthand in primary schools. Tlie Hon J. Hainan (Invcreargill) i said he was opposed to the centralisa- ' iion suggestions made by some speakers, i He believed the New Zealand education!! system compared favourably with that i of any other country, but there was'] great need of more eilieient teachers to i carry on the work in the secondaryi 1 school-. This was more important than!: the erection of new types of schools, which would involve a large expenditure of money. . Sir John Luke (Wellington North) said he believed the school age should be < extended to l.j years, but was afraid! rliis reform was not practicable at present. Mr. li. Masters (Stratford) while agreeing that the bill generally was a good one. regretted that the. Minister was to be hampered in the matter of money for the extension of buildings, the provision for which .was being cut down to an extent out of proportion to the reduction in other departments of the public, service. Mr. I'. (Wellington Central) said lie thought't he proposals in the bill were generally good. Regarding the requirement that teachers should take the oath of allegiance lie did not consider it would cause any concern to teachers, but it was certainly unnecessary, if not stupid. The debate was continued until a late hour. the second reading being eventually carried 011 the voices.