STRONG CRITICISM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 237, 7 October 1942, Page 4

STRONG CRITICISM

VTTACK ON MINISTER

INDIFFERENCE ALLEGED

Indifference r , n (n) - ,| lf , Minister of Education. Mr Ma.-on. •'••in alleged by several members of 'ne Auckland Education Hoard at lie meeting of thr> board this mornj'lo matters under discussion "'ere the lack of equipment, such as I nar:°s a nil sewing machines at chool.-, and the problem <. f ehild 1 1 ''II nq uency. flu laci that the new Pa.-adena I n.ermcdi.iie Srhool had no piano ■r sen ing machine was reported, and n" o'Jard e.s pressed the opinion that iib.adtos for school ei|inpment Mould be provided bv tlie Government. lieprescntat ions had been •mde to ihe M inisler u |' Kducation nid the Education Hep irtment. but i '''h;ng had been done, it was stated. Regarding child delinquent y the' '•■■•.•ml had asked Mr. Mason lor aj ot.nd table conference to discuss the

al f,, i'. which had already been a üb.iect of report to the Prime Mini <- "cr. Mr Fraser. a.-, well as Mr. Mason l'i i nisei I. Mr. Mason's replv, which i' r l ai 'he meeting, stated that departmental business took him out "i Wellington a great deal, and when he returned his work was greatlv •n arrears. Consequently he could not accede to the request. Ii he conducted his business in -'ich a Wc.y with every board in \'ew Zealand, he would never get aii.vwhere, he said. He asked the board to put its complaints and suggestions in writing. Mr. V,'. 1. Bowyer alleged that promises made by the Minister two ears ago had not been fulfilled

"As for time," continued Mr. Bowver, "let the Minister come clown on the farm with me for three months The only meal I've had sitting down has been after dark. We can show him what it is to be busy."

Mr. F. A. Snell, in supporting Mr. Bowver's remarks, said that the Minister's excuses were utterly paltry. The matter of child delinquency was a most serious one.

The fact that the Minister had onlv attended a board meeting once during his term of office was referred to by Mr. C. S. Morris, who said that courtesy in accepting such an invitation from the board was due from the Minister.

The board decided to take up both matters once more with the Prime Minister and to urge that proper authority be provided for dealinc with child delinquency.