STATE AID TO SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28685, 8 September 1958, Page 12

STATE AID TO SCHOOLS

Pareiit-Teacher Resolution

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 7.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Parent-Teacher and Home and School Associations voted unanimously on Saturday in favour of retaining “the status quo in respect of State aid to private schools.”

A note to the order paper said: “The question of greater. State aid to private schools revolves around the desecularisation of the Education Act which would in effect make it mandatory upon the Government t 6 grant State aid for both the establishment and support of all private schools, irrespective of creed or denomination. “Departure from the secular system would tend to progressively fragmentise the whole educational system affecting the children and the teaching profession alike.”

The vice-president of the federatiop. Mr G. Russell, said that a minority group—Roman Catholics—claimed it was suffering an injustice.

“We claim to be a reasonably fair body,” he said, "although some of us have decided opinions, we are not going to depart from. But we must give some consideration to minority groups and we have given consideration to some angles.

“After listening to the evidence in favour of State aid you could almost be sold on the idea that you are wrong, but in spite of that we feel that the status quo should be maintained.” He said there was a divergence of opinion with the federation whether it should pursue this policy to the point of giving evidence before a committee. Some Roman Catholic parent-teacher associations were members of the federation /

leuerauon. The remit was carried 'without further discussion.