MINISTER'S REPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 138, 13 June 1934, Page 19

MINISTER'S REPLY.

EFFECT. UPON CHILDREN. THOUGHT GIVEN BY CABINET. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In reply to representations made by a deputation from Wellington school committees and the Educational Federation on May 17, a letter was received at the monthly meeting of the federation from the Minister of Education. Mr. Masters made no immediate concessions, but on several points he promised that changes might be effected when the Estimates are under consideration. • On the subject of the five-year-old question, the Minister pointed out that the Government had not passed the legislation without giving a very great deal of consideration and thought to its effect upon children, physically and educationally. He felt that the system had not been given tho fair trial that it merited, and that it was too soon to form an accurate opinion in regard to its effects. For these reasons he was not prepared to take steps to remove tho restrictions on the entrance of five-year-old children to public schools. Concerning the staffing of schools, the Minister said that, compared with other parts of tho Empire, New Zealand did not stand badly with regard to the number of children taught per teacher. "The rationing of teachers," he wrote, "has given mo a great deal of thought. It is my wish that every boy and girl who had passed,through a training college should be placed in employment." Mr. Masters said he proposed to ask the Cabinet to restore the 5/ boarding allowance for children in country districts, i