Board’s Difficulties Surprise Minister

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 26

Board’s Difficulties Surprise Minister

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 20. The Minister of Education (Mr Taiboys) has asked the Education Department to help the Canterbury Education Board to draw up its programme and “to see why the board is in difficulty when its financial allocation is so much larger than last year’s.”

Mr Taiboys has expressed surprise at the attitude oi the board. “The financial allocation made to the Canterbury Education Board for school buildings this year is $372,000 more than the board spent last year,” he said. "The board’s difficulty arises mainly from the fact that a large part of its programme comprises buildings that are still under construction and are thus absorbing funds that would otherwise be available for new projects. "This is inhibiting the board in its desire to embark on a large programme of new works. The board is claiming that it has already over-com-mitted its financial allocation, but I believe there is a need

for further consultation about these estimates. My information is that the board is by no means over-committed at present

“Experience has shown that in the early stages of new ccntracts expenditure runs slowly. Therefore, works put out to tender in the next few months will not involve heavy expenditure this financial year.

“1 believe that the position is, in fact much better than the board claims an-* I have asked my department to begin immediate discussions with the board to help it draw up its programme and to see why the board is in difficulty when its financial allocation is so much larger than last year’s.

“The board has claimed that it will be unable to make provision for classrooms for the new 'smaller classes’ policy. This policy does not however, come Into effect until 1972 and there is no need, therefore, for the board to be providing any building works at this stage."