NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 130, 26 February 1937, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

The new scheme of university bursaries announced this morning by the Minister of Education marks a substantial restoration and extension of financial assistance to students. “Ordinary” bursaries are being restored to where they were before the imposition of depression economies; the creation of “boarding” bursaries —up to sixtyfive annually, of a currency of three years —means that presently some three hundred university students every year will be receiving assistance beyond the payment of tuition fees: junior scholars, national scholars and boarding bursars. There will be little objection to this provided only the country can find the necessary money without stinting other objects and without burdening its taxpayers; but it is fair to suggest that the increased expenditure will not be fully justified unless the University gives back to the community, in wise and devoted public service by its graduates, a richer return than has been given hitherto. This country stands in dire need to-day of solid and reliable young men in its public life: young men whose heads are stronger than their hearts, and who have built upon their foundation of textbook reading a practical knowledge of business and affairs. The University ought to be capable of supplying these.

Ratepayers in the Wanganui Harbour Board’s district will be required presently to pay interest upon a loan of £15,000 raised without their consent. The Prime Minister, as acting-Minister of Finance, gave the board an undertaking that if, after considering the position of the ratepayers upon whom the cost would fall, members deemed it advisable to ask leave to borrow for the completion of the harbour moles without a poll, the Government would pass the necessary legislation. The board in its wisdom has decided that ratepayers will not mind, and the money is to be spent on the strength of the Prime Minister’s promise. There may be special circumstances in this case: but the principle admitted appears to be a most dangerous one. If harbour boards were elected by ratepayers and ratepayers only, there might be little wrong with their deciding to borrow without a loan poll. When ratepaj’ers are not directly and exclusively represented on a board, it cannot be regarded as a reflection of their opinion on loan issues. And for Parliament to give legal sanction to borrowing without the consent of ratepayers is a serious invasion of their rights.

By the passing into Government control of Flock House, New Zealand has lost for the time being the chance of joining in the chain of Fairbridge farm schools now being thrown round the Empire in the double service of giving a chance in life to less fortunate boys from the Homelands and of assisting in the better economic distribution of the Empire’s white population. The school which six or twelve months ago looked likely to come to New Zealand is in process of being established in the western district of New South Wales. A oroperty of 1428 acres has been bought, and the foundation partv of fifty English boys is expected within six months. Boys onlv will come for a start; but later girls also will be brought out. and ultimately the school will accommodate about two hundred and twenty children. So enthusiastic are the Australian sponsors that they talk already of a second school in New South Wales. How long must New Zealand keep her gates shut to these, the best of all immigrants?

It is to be hoped that the Minister of Education in formulating his reforms will steer clear of such ideas as resulted in the following conversation between uncle and nephew imagined by the Ranchester Guardian as a possibility of the future if the cranks and faddists have their way: “And how are vou doing at school, John?” “( hronologically lam 11 vears old. my mental age is 12.5, my intelligence quotient is 108, my memory quotient 9, my ponderal index is normal, lam in class 1, and my position is third on the list. The authorities for this, uncle, are my birth certificate, the psychologist, the school nurse, and my headmaster.”