EDUCATION POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 12

EDUCATION POLICY.

MINISTER AND HEADMASTERS

WHAT IS BEING FOUND OUT FIRST. NO DECISION TILL EVIDENCE HEARD. A most successful reunion was held by the Auckland Headmasters' Association last evening, the guest of honour being the Hon. H. Atmore, Minister of Education. Mr. F. A. Garry presided, and amongst the guests at the "top" table were Mr. W. W. Bird, chief inspector of schools, Mr. H. S. W. King, chairman of the Board of Managers of the Seddon Technical School, Mr. C. W. Garrard, senior inspector of schools in the Auckland education district, Mr. G. J. Park, principal of the Technical College, and Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P.

In proposing the toast of "The Education Department," Mr. Garry remarked that it was live years since a Minister of Education had attended one of their gatherings. Mr. Atmore had indicated

by his remarks that he would make a "real job" of his position. The Minister had already shown that he takes an intelligent interest in education. The Departmental officers were real good sorts, and were always willing to help. They could be relied upon to do the "fair thing." How Policy is Defined. In replying, Mr. Atmore said that as Minister of Education, and as a representative of the people, he must define the policy of the Department and carry it out. It should be left to the Minister to judge whether any suggestion put forward would be suitable to the policy of the Government. He fully recognised the value of his Departmental officers. If there was anything wrong with the policy, then the Minister was to blame and not the officers. Speaking generally, those officers must be guided by inelastic regulations. Consequently a great deal of the opprobrium directed against them was not deserved. Touching on the matter of policy, Mr. Atmore said there had evidently been some disappointment at the delay in making an announcement. He wished to be quite sure of facts before making a decision. He would not be jockeyed into saying something he was not prepared to say. He wished to "draw all fires" before making any pronouncement. Mr. Atmore said he wanted everyone to feel that he would not make a definite statement till he had heard all the evidence. The Minister's Ambition.

But he did want to evolve an educational system which would equip the children equally as well as if not better than in any other country. He believed a policy could be founded and adapted to New Zealand needs. His decision would only be given after he had acquired all the knowledge possible. The Minister asked for the headmasters' cooperation. He indicated that it was possible that there would be a system of unification, and this would mean abolishing some of the controlling bodies and merging them into one. By this means the ratepayers' money would be saved, and in his opinion far better results generally obtained. Referring to salaries, the Minister said he did not forecast any increases, but he would institute better conditions if they were needed. He recognised they must have contented teachers to get the best results out of scholars. He wanted the teaching profession to feel that they had his sympathy in New Zealand's great national undertaking and cooperative movement —that was. education.

The Toast List. Other toasts were "The Auckland Education Board," proposed by Mr. A. J. Hall and responded to by Mr. H. S. W. King; "The Inspectors," by Mr. C. H. Scmadeni and replied to by Mr. C. W. Garrard. Mr. A. Murdock proposed "Members of Parliament," to which Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., replied on behalf of Messrs. J. S. Fletcher, A. Harris and W. Jordan, M.P.'s, who were present. Musical items were given by the New Zealand Four (Messrs. J. Simpson, R. Dormer, E. Manall and D. Black), Mr. Stan. Pritchard. and Mr. F. Campbell.