State Aid May Be An Election Issue

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30100, 6 April 1963, Page 12

State Aid May Be An Election Issue

(New Zealand Preet Association; AUCKLAND, April 5. All members of Parliament in the Auckland area have been sent a letter by the Catholic Parent-Teacher Federation on the subject of financial assistance to private schools.

The objectives of the federation, as reported by “Zealandia,” are; Capitation Grants.—At the present time State school committees receive a capitation grant, varying from 18s 6d to 22s 6d per child, for the purpose of meeting incidental expenses such as school-cleaning, water supply, etc. No grant is made to private schools at the present time. Subsidies.—That subsidies for the purchase of certain school equipment be the same for private schools as for State schools. Limited grants are made at present. Payment Of Lay Teachers. —lt is requested that the salary of lay teachers in a private school be paid on the same qualification basis as in a State school. Buildings.—A £ for £ subsidy on toe erection of new school buildings. No grant is made at present. Allowances.—An allowance be made to parents for each child attending a private school. No grant is made at present. In editorial comment in this

week’s issue, “Zealandia" says Roman Catholic education policies are in the melting pot. “It has become obvious that, unless the Government adopts a more enlightened policy towards private schools, something drastic will have to be done, for the parents of children at Catholic schools cannot bear indefinitely the increasingly heavy financial burden that is falling to their lot. “The bishops have made it plain they are actively occupied with this question They have avoided making State aid an issue in past elections. “Candidates for election to Parliament can expect to face some very searching questions from Catholic laymen tn the next few months.”