SCHOOL CAPITATION GRANTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 13

SCHOOL CAPITATION GRANTS

MEETING OF PROTEST AT MIRAMAR

The first of a series of meetings of protest against the present capitation grunts from the Education Department to the school committees was held at Miramar South School last night. Mr. P. F. Gaines presided. Mr. R. Semple, M.P., traced the efforts which had been made to gain increased capitation grants from the Government. The matter had been brought to the notice of the Legislature upon the floor of the House as well as by a deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. Atmore). He had also spoken privately to the Minister, who had told him that the matter was a policy one and concerned •the finances. The Prime Minister hijd said that the question would be dealt with when the finances of the country warranted it. Since then the Taxation Bill had been passed, and, as far as Mr. Semple could see, the financial position had brightened up. They should give the Government no rest until they had got that which they needed. It. was monstrous that the “stingy” allowances had been cut down. However, it was necessary to light. The meeting unanimously passed a motion expressing the opinion that the present scale of capitation allowance was inadequate to work upon and declaring that the whole matter shquld be reconsidered. The motion that the committee go out of office 'on February 28 next and leave the Government to carry on was also passed without dissent.