MINISTER'S EXPLANATION OF THE BILL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15022, 17 July 1914, Page 7

MINISTER'S EXPLANATION OF THE BILL.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. July 16. When tho Houso resumed at 7.30 this evening, tho Hon. James Alien explained the provisions of tho Education Bill. Ho said provision was made for the election of women to the Education Council. It was proposed to giro representation on tho Education Cor»iicil to all interests from the primary schools te the Universities. Ho thought it was wiso that tho Minister should not be upon tho Council, so that ho would bo froo in tho administration of his Department. Mr Allen proceeded to explain tho proposed representation for tho North and South Islands' secondary, technical and primary schools. Tho * Education Council would coutain seventeen members altogether. Apart from the Education Council, there would be District Councils. Teachers were to be given representation. Ho hoped that Parliament would help him to fix the boundaries of the nino proposed Education Districts. Thero would be urban and suburban districts. It was proposed that elections to Education Boards should be on the Parliamentary franchise. A better method of keeping accounts was suggested, and inspectors were to be brought in closer touch with tho Department. There waa too great a multiplicity of examinations. It was proposed to adopt a Dominion system of grading teacher.. Better result, would bo attained if the Department could pet into touch with tho inspectors with regard to the syllabus. The inspectors could also act as independent judges as to the necessity for new schools. It was also proposed to rnako moro effective provision for tho medical inspection of school children. Subsidies would bo paid at tho rate of £1 for £1 on all cash contributions, and 10s in tho £ for cost of all donations of land or material. He was prepared te consider amendments in Committee. An increase in capitation to School Committees was proposed, and a similar increase was suggested for secondary schools, provided a proportional increase was mado in tho teachers' salaries. It was proposed to reduce the grades from ten to seven, and increase the salaries. An increase was also proposed in houso allowances. Tho maximum salary to be paid to bead teachers .would be £440. Chief inspectors would be appointed. There would not bo more than five, and not l&ss than two. Tho maximum salary paid would be £650. Provision was made for the appointment of assistant inspectors at £365 per annum oach. It was proposed te pay by way of increased capitation to secondary schools £1000, and to Education Boards £10,000. The total increased expenditure on education under the Acts of 1908 and 1913 and under thi. ""iH. when in full oncration, woukl do £150,000. The Minister paid a tribute to the moraumcntal work of tho officials in preparing tho measure. A DISCUSSION. Mr G. W. Russell said that the Bill was largely the result of tho Royal Commission set up iv 1912 by tho Mackenzie Government, and their work, revised by the Education Committee of the House. He was pleased to soo that New Zealand was now to embark upo_ a centralisation scheme. He urged that there should '-- a Dominion scale for teachers' salaries. There should be no hurry over tho Bill in committee Ho asked for an explanatory table oi salaries to b. placed in front of tho Bill, for tho information of the House. Thero should be _mo reason why men were not attracted te the teaching profession. He complimented the Minister upon tho compilation of the Bill. Mr J. A. Hanan said he was glad to sco a national eystcin of grading teacher. . A teacher would now have a wider field for advancement. Benefit would come from tiic centralisation of inspectors. It did not necessarily-.mean that all the inspectors would reside in Wellington. It meant a big monetary saving to havo centralisation. Tho teachers were not oa the snmo footing as members ot* the postal or railway _crvico, as they wore under a certain amount of local control. Somo trouble would arise from the attempt to reduce tho number of Education Boards. They should look at the matter from a natioual standpoiut. He would voto for the Bill, becau. c it contained progressive proposals. Mr T. H. Davey congratulated the Minister-upon the, introduction of the Bill. Ho urged tho production «-f scholarship, for Catholic schools. Mr A. S. Malcolni urged that it would bo impossible to give satisfaction unless provision was made te pay teachers, irrespective of attendance. Ho favoured more complete organisation in tho Education Department. Co-operation with the Railway Department would also be profitable, and the multiplication "f small schools prevented. lie. though", that no _il__oJ which was not actually

a State school _bould be recognised by the payment of a subsidy. Mr f>. Buick congratulated the' Minister upon tho Bill, but he hoped that fair concessions would be mado to tho Catholics. Tho Bill was read a first time, and referred to the Education Committe.