Education Matters.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17430, 15 April 1922, Page 10

Education Matters.

The visit of the Minister of Education, the annual elections of school committees, and tho official opening of the new Hig'li School at Raagiora have combined during the past few days to stimulate public interest in matters oonoefrping education. Hi at in itself is a good thing. Mr Parr was not exaggerating when lie spoke at Rangiora of the "passion for education" existing in. the Dominion. Far more people arc anxious to-day as to the efficiency of our education system than was the case twenty or even ten years ago, for tho simple reason that education has come to be increasingly recognised as one of the most important things in life. Interest in the best of causes may, (however, Bag at times, and is never tho worse for being whipped up, as, for instance, in this wise, by the visit of the Minister. Mr Parr is by this time, of course, hardened to the experiences lie met on Wednesday and Thunsday. He knows, only too well, that he is regarded by school committees and education boards all over country as something like an eariMy Providencej the potential dispenser of much-needed schools and playgrounds, and increased grants for one purpose or another. Hence his appearance in- any district is the signal for the horizon to be darkened l>y deputations, each intent on pressing its claims to a share in funds which would have to be much more ample than is the case just now if they were to provide all. that is asked for. In this respect the Minister's latest experience in, Christchurch differed in no respect from established custom. He spent the better part of two busy days in being interviewed by deputations enthusiastically desirous of impressing upon him the urgency of their respective requests. If he had to all he would have committed th<p Government to a further expenditure of, possibly, £15,000 to £20,000. As it was, having become expert in dealing" with matters of this sort, he seems to have managed to compromise for a much smaller sum, paying, incidentally, more than one compliment to local school committees for the spirit of self-help which they had exhibited in raising by private effort comparatively large sums for the improvement of the schools they repreisented. "You Christchurch Commit'"tees arorealjy first-class," he said at Richmond,' on learning that the loco.l committee had raised £IOOO by a carnival. "Your aelf-rciianea and keenness "are admirable." These words of welldeserved praise may encourage othor committees to take stops in tho samo direction, especially as it will not have escaped notice t'hat the Minister appeared most willing to help, if possible., those who have helped themselves. Mr Parr is *n a difficult position. Possessing himself something jof tho prevailing "passion for education," one cannot doubt that if he were supplied with the necessary means he would respond generously ; to the demands of Boards and Committees. As the financial position of the Government jioes not permit him to do so, he has to refuse many requests and in many othur cases give much less than is asked for. He has, therefore, adopted the principle that such money aa is available , for building purposes must first be devoted to providing schools in districts where there is none at present, and to remedying gross over-crowding in existi ing schools. With this policy no fault can bo found. The time is, one tmste, not far distant when a more generous building programme will be possible, but meanwhile the country must be content with the Department doing only what is absolutely necessary. A resolution placed before the meetings of householders on Wednesday by ; tlie Educational Institute, and passed by a number of them was, under the circumstances, a counsel of perfection. Everyone agrees that the stinting of

.education is, a bad thing and that proper education, cannot be carried on in over-crowded class-rooms, but to urge that the building of schools should bo delayed no longer is to ignore tho present necessity for economy in Government expenditure, and the emphatic demand from all parts of tho country for the reduction of taxation. As Mr Parr pointed out on Thursday there has been no stinting in education expenditure though there has been a necessary lessening of expenditure, and tho members of tho Institute have certainly nothing of which to complain. They have been well treated by the present Government, which can claim, with justice, fo have done more for the profession than any of its predecessors and to have kept the advancement of education well in the forefront of its administrative activities.