EDUCATION ECONOMY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15560, 8 April 1916, Page 6

EDUCATION ECONOMY.

INTEBYIEW WITH HON. J. A HAXAK. NEW SCHEMES IN HAM).

' The Hon. J. A." Hanan, Minister of Education, arrived in Christchurch from Oamaru last night. He proceeds to Wellington this evening. In tho course of an interview with Mr Hanan, a "Press'' representative enquired as to whether a man stepping into the shoes of a teacher enlisting for active scrvicc would reccivo the same salary. In reply. Mr Hanan said: —"'Representations have been made to me that discretionary power should be vested in Education Boards with a view to making alterations in salary. I am considering tho matter now."'

Mr Hanan said ho "wished to express his appreciation of the enthusiastic and zealous manner in which tho work of improving the condition of tho schoolchildren was being taken up by the medical examiners aud physical culture instructors, because he felt satisfied that such instruction and treatment .would improve both physically and mentally the children in this country. Some difficulties bad- been placed in tho way in one or two places, but he was glad-to find the scheme was working well. Some children who had been suffering from physical defects had greatly improved as a, result of the scheme. The idea was to £' ve children gait and character. Part of the duties of the medical and physical inspectors was to deal with the subjects of diet, care and preservation of the teeth, and erect posture. It was highly desirable that tho boys should be taught to walk properly, and the girls have a. graceful gait. In a circular hijs Department had issued- to teachers, it was also suggested that thero should be talks to the parents in tho evenings at the schools. He hoped to see the scheme faithfully carried outReferring to the industrial schools of the country, those with _ a large area of land associated therewith and where farming is carried on. the Minister said that, wit!) a view to placing matters on a good footing_in connexion with agricultural work, he had obtained the services of Mr Brown, of the Agricultural Department, to furnish- him with a report on what is - done in this eonnexion at t-lioso. institutions, and liis views as to their development, so as to make them as. self-supporting as possible. Mr Hanan said he considered ho could reduce the expenditure in connexion with these institutions and get better result*. ' ; [n a few days* time," Mr Hanan said, "T hope to get a recommendation from the Public Service Commissioners with regard to the appointment of a first-class accountant for the Education Department, f°i" which applications havo already been-invited. I am trying to improve the business and financial Bide of my Department and secure economies. As the result of my investigations, I am satisfied 1 shall save a large sum of money in connexion with the industrial institutions." With reference to other reforms besides those carried ■ out and contemplated. Mr Hanan said that Be was going into the question of putting, if nossible, tho training .colleges of the Dominion upon an improved footing, with a view to getting bettor results both from the point of view of economy and of ■■ efficiency." "I am meeting, as opportunity offers, the principals of the training colleges/ arid to-morrow morning 1 am meeting Mr C. T. Aschman. of the Cliristchurch Training College."