There And Here

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 12

There And Here

Sir, —I was interested to see the cost-of-living figures you quoted in your editorial of August 8. You say that retail prices were 31 per cent higher in Sydney than in Wellington in 1964, and that since then there have been rises in the cost of living of 17 per cent in New Zealand and 10 per cent in Australia A quick calculation based on these figures, and taking into account devaluation in 1967. soon shows that the cost of living in Wellington must now be actually about 1) per cent higher than in Sydney. But surely Professor Henderson’s argument was not based purely on financial differences between the two countries, but rather on the fact that insufficient recognition and encouragement are given to professional men in New Zealand.—Yours, etc., D. G. ELMS. August 8, 1968.

Sir,—As a product of the Australian education system to tertiary level, 1 was astounded by your statement that “Australian State schools are generally inferior to New Zealand State Schools.” I hold a Diploma of Education (Australia) and have taught for some years in State secondary schools on both sides of the Tasman. The system varies between the two countries, and from state to state in Australia. Even within New Zealand, State schools vary according to methods used, equipment available, and results attained; so how can a basis of comparison be made between the two countries? You say: “Virtually all the children of professional people in Sydney are educated at expensive private schools.” Are we to infer that the expensive private schools in Sydney provide a better education than the povertystricken State schools? Surely the existence of private schools in any city is dependent on a solid core of professional people for support. —Yours etc., IGNORANTIS AUSTRALIS. August 8, 1968.