‘Frozen out’

Press, 27 July 1982, Page 25

‘Frozen out’

The sales director of CED Distributors (Mr Brian Eard-ley-Wilmot) condemned Polycorp for its action. "PoIvcorp has frozen out those schools who don't have verymuch money," he said. "If thev are successful they are taxing the market they are trying to impress." Mr Eardley-Wilmot said he could not understand the purpose of the penalty. “It can only be viewed as a revenue-gaining decision.” he said, noting that the extra money taken from schools would go into the Consolidated Revenue Account. CED Distributors will be making representations to the Minister on behalf of schools, according to Mr Eardley-Wilmot. Teachers at the Canterbury Computer Education Society meeting last week were angry about the imposition of duty, said the president of the society (Mr Rodney Harries). “It seems to be me to be a very poor move," he said. "There is a principle involved, but one can't help being suspicious because of the Government's involvement in Polycorp."

Mr Harries criticised the Education Department for "turning its back on the whole question of school computing." "There has been 'absolutely no assistance from the department," he said. The society will write to the authorities to protest about the duty. Mr Frank O'Connell, chairman of the Canterbury region of the Post Primary Teachers' Association, contacted “The Press" to protest about "this quite unnecessary tax on schools." "By and large schools have found the Poly to be a less suitable, system for schools than the Apple." he said. “What are parents going to feel when they find that the money they raise is going into the Consolidated Revenue Account? "Nothing has come of the Governments talk about school computers before the last General Election. Apple has come in and filled the & d P"The Apple offer is an offer that schools can hardly refuse," said Mr O'Connell. "This is the best deal going at the best price."