Technical Board Debates Curbs

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31318, 14 March 1967, Page 18

Technical Board Debates Curbs

The board of governors of the Christ* church Technical Institute will inform the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) that it “will exercise the same caution in expenditure that it has always done” but will also express the hope that national economies will not affect the institute’s building programme.

The Minister’s circular letter to all educational authorities warning that there would be limits on building, equipment, and ground improvements was received. The chairman (Mr R. Jones) said the board had always been most careful in its expenditure and got value for its money. He hoped recent Government policy would not affect the institute’s urgentlyneeded new buildings. Mr R. J. Pitcairn said he thought the Government was mistaken in curbing building and construction. These were the country’s second largest

industiy and could generate prosperity.

Mr Jones said that the Minister’s warning was general. The board would cooperate but it urgently needed more buildings for which it had waited a long time. Plans and specifications were being prepared at present. Mr G. Manning suggested the reply promising the board’s usual caution. But Mr Pitcairn, Mr C. Russell, and Mr N. S. Wills said they would like It clearly understood that they did not concede that the institute’s building programme could be delayed. The principal (Mr D. W. Lyall) said there had been no hint that the institute’s programme would be affected. Certain projects would no doubt be deemed essential in the national Interest. The motion, with the proviso, was accepted.