"ESSENTIAL WORK."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 3

"ESSENTIAL WORK."

KINDERGARTEN ACTIVITIES

REMOVAL OF SUBSIDY OPPOSED.

HOPES FOR CONTINUANCE

"The total withdrawal of the Government subsidy for kindergarten schools means that this—an essential work — will be terribly handicapped. We hope, however, that the Government's decision will lie reconsidered." The speaker was Mr. .T. H. Jackson, president of the Auckland Kindergarten Association, who presided this morning over a large attendance at a public | meeting held in the main hall of the Chamber of Commerce building, when it was decided, by a unanimous vote, to urge the Government to continue its subsidy. This amounts to approximately £1-100 in each of the four principal cities of New Zealand. The resolution had llic whole-hearted support of several members of Parliament, and that of many prominent citizens of Auckland. Mr. Jackson said it was urgently necessary that some moans of carrying 011 the work should be devised. Sister associations in Dunodin, Christchurch and Wellington had passed a resolution similar to that proposed. There was still a hope that the subsidy would be restored, even, possibly, with a. 20 per cent "cut." Certainly the work was essential, and was in the best interests of the Dominion. Mr. G. O'llalloran, lion, secretary of the association, traced the growth of the kindergarten movement in Auckland from its inception, on a very modest scale, in 1008. To .Sir John Logan Campbell and Sir Arthur Myers the movement owed much. There were today eight kindergartens, where 504 children were cared for. There, were 15 teachers and women principals, and over 20 students, and during the past five years 39 students had qualified for a teacher's diploma. Receipts during 1930 were £1430, but fell to £932 last year. In 1931 the Government subsidy was £1473. Now it was suddenly decided to remove this urgently necessary financial help. "I can assure you the workers in the kindergarten movement have been the means of bringing health, sunshine and happiness into the lives of many, both children and adults," added Mr. O'Halloran amid applause. A " Knock-out Blow." Mr. Tl. G. Cousins, a vice-president of the association, said the action of the Government was a knock-out blow, and 0110 that boded grave danger to the work of one of the greatest humanitarian and social organisations in the world. It was generally admitted that the movement was not one of soft pedagogics, just pampering the child, but oiie°oF real and permanent value, helping the child to fulfil its destiny in the future. Mr. Cousins moved a resolution expressing regret at the Minister's decision, and the opinion "that the total withdrawal of capitation grants, implying the severe crippling, if not the total disablement of the association*t> work, is a measure altogether too sudden and too severe in consideration of the value of the national function it performs." It asked the Minister to reconsider this matter, and asked for a restoration, as far as mi<dit be, of capitation grants. I he resolution was seconded bv Mrs Milsoin. Mr. C. J. Tunks said self-help had been one of the outstanding features of the association's work, for the association had never been content to rely on Government or local-body support. The organisation had attracted the good will of many ul Auckland's most worthy and far-seeing citizens. Surely it was not a fair nor far-siglued action suddenly to abolish so beneficent an organisation! It was a, necessary, as well as a very desirable, part of the educational system of New Zealand. "Paying Out of Poverty." Mr. A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata, said the position facing the Government at present was far more serious than was generally known. However, it was realised that the work of the kindergarten associations was of essential value, and lie hoped that, when Parliament reassembled, it would be possible to prevent the removal of the subsidy. He could assure the meeting that the strongest possible recommendations to this effect would be made. (Applause.) This assurance was warmly endorsed by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., Mr. W. Parrv, M.P., and Mr. H. G. li. Mason, M.P.