SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 7

SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS.

SAVING TO PARENTS.

« SOUND BUSINESS LINES."

PRIME MINISTER'S CLAIM.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON", this day.

i- The claim that the Government's 'action regarding the extension of the school book contract had indirectly saved the parents of New Zealand £50,000 was indicated in statements made by the Prime Minister, Kt. Hon. G. W. Forces, in the House yesterday, when replying to criticism by Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Coalition Reform, Eiccarton). The savings were made up of £10,000 due to a reduction of 22J per cent in the cost, and £40,000 saved by the rejection of the alternative to the extension of the existing contract. Mr. Forbes contended that the contract had been entered into on sound business lines. The contractors had been asked to assist by reducing the price, and to this they agreed. He was. confident that the parents of New Zealand would appreciate tie arrangement which had been made, eince, as a result of the reduction, they would be ,gaved £10,000. "The alternative to an extension of the contract," the Prime Minister added, "was for the Government to purchase the copyright and issue new books. It was emphasised by the Prime Minister that under the extended contract the quality of the books had to be the same as previously, and he suggested that if members found instances where any contractor was not keeping to ithe terms of his contract regarding quality it was the duty of members of Parliament to bring the breach to tho notice of the Minister concerned. In reply to an interjection, the Prime Minister "said that the views of education boards and school committees had nothiii" to do with the sound business arrangement which had been made. "Our duty," he added, "is to look after the parents of New Zealand, and by making a «fcing of £40,000 for them we ar-e doing the right thing-