UNPLEASANT TASK

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 166, 9 April 1932, Page 13

UNPLEASANT TASK

Minister and Education Cuts TWO DEPUTATIONS Some of the recommendations of the National Economy Commission which the Government did not propose to adopt were announced by the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education, in the course of bls replies to deputations from educational bodies yesterday. One of the deputations was from the Wellington School Committees’ Association and the Educational Federation, and the other was from the New Zealand Educational. Institute. “I was never in such a position in all my born days. I find no pleasure in doing what I ha.ve to-day,” said the Minister, in the course of his reply to the deputation from the New Zealand Educational' Institute, in connection with the proposed salary reductions and the proposal to raise the school entrance age to six years. “May the sun shine on the Dills some day and give me a chance to give you something instead of taking It away,” he added. The deputation pointed out that the National Expenditure Commission in its remarks on the rise in expenditure on education had taken no account of the alteration in the value of money over the 18-year period 1914-193-Figures were submitted showing that the corrected increase in the total cost on this basis was £595,000, not £2,308,883, as stated by the commission. No Money. The Minister’s comment on this was that he was not so impressed with the comparative value of the pound in 1914 and 1932, as he was by the fact that the Government had no money. Emphasis was placed on the point that the salary reductions in the teaching service were-unequally based within the professions, and were proportionately greater than in other branches of the Public Service. The withholding of increments affected some teachers and not others, one section bearing a loss of 10 per cent, and the others anything from 19.7 to 31.1 i>er cent. The Minister replied that these matters raised a question of policy. The higher-paid teachers and the higher-paid officers of the Public Service were carrying the biggest load. Speaking generally, he did not think they would be any worse off than the Public Service, and in some cases might be better. Mr. Brew pointed out that, the economies would find better support if the Inequalities were removed. The Minister said he would look into the question and see what could be done. The deputation strongly urged that the case of the women teachers, affected to the extent of £75,000 under the cuts proposed hy the commission, and also the question of special allowances to a certain class of women teachers, should be considered. Mr, Masters said that he had reached no decision in this connection, and bid made no recommendation to Cabinet. As to the question of the 5-0-year children, be pointed out that the Act made the compulsory attendance period commence at 7. “The State’s responsibility starts at 7,” he said. Very few countries allowed children before 6. Miss Magill: But they have kindergartens. The Minister: Some of them. I hope that the withdrawal of the kindergartens’ subsidies will only be temporary. lam certain, however, that they will carry on. Some of them have funds. They should spend these funds instead of hoarding them. The Minister said that it. was all a question of money. He accepted no responsibility for any statements made in the commission’s report. Some of the proposals definitely would not be adopted, others partially adpted; and others, again, wholly adopted. "Anyone who has a sincere appreciation of the financial situation,” he said, “should esteem it a duty to meet the Government in its endeavours to solve its problems.” COMMITTEE’S FEARS Minister Sets Some at Rest In his reply to the deputation from the Wellington School Committees’ Association and the Educational Federation, the Minister said it was not proposed to charge for the “School Journal,” to interfere with allowances to school committees, or to reduce the vote for free books. The deputation was introduced by Mr. 11. McKeon, M.P., and the speakers were Messrs. C. H. Piuuock, L. J. McDonald, A. Pariane, aud L. Hennessey. The Minister, iu replying to the representations, said the Government bud a deep appreciation of the sacrifices made by boards aud school committees. It. was not proposed to adopt the recommendation of- the commission that a charge of a penny a copy should lie made for the "School Journal.” Since he had been in office, he hail had the position inquired into, with the result that instead of the journal costing £7OOO a year to publish and distribute it now cost £-1500. That, lie thought, was a most satisfactory saving. The question of the school age was au ini portant one. but it should be pointed out that the Act. did not provide for the admission of children at the age of Jive. The acceptance of children under lhe age of six had been voluntary action on the part of the department. Promise to Boards. The Minister said Hie Government; had not come to a decision in respect of Hie reeoiiinieinlalion to abolish eiluciition and oilier boards. This question bad been left over on account of his promise to the boards Hint before Inking action they would be given tin opportunity Io place their considered opinion before him. It was anticipated that by the cud of 1933-31 economies amounting Io £.1,840,001) would lie brought, about. The reduction in the expenditure on primary schools was not us severe ns Hint on oilier brunches of the education system. Difl’ei’cnce of Opinio. . The question whether manual training should lie continued had yet Io be decided, the Minister said. There appeared to lie a difference of opinion even among educationists, and in Hie meantime further information was being collected. He did not believe in one policy for IV’ town and another for the country.