LABOUR CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 12

LABOUR CONFERENCE

Proposed Reforms In Education System REMITS TONED DOWN The Labour Party conference devoted considerable tune yesterday to a number of remits designed to effect reforms in the education system. Some remits thought by the conference committee on education to be worded too stronglv were toned down. One of these, as originally phrased, read: “That the Education Department alter the present classroom psychology from one of imperialism and profit economies to uue of internationalism aud Socialist economics.” The committee amended it as follows : “That all possible steps be taken to present iu schools the claims of internationalism and co-operation equally with those of nationalism and competition.” The conference adopted it in this form. Reference to adult education led the conference to recommend to the party branches that advantage be taken of the Workers’ Educational Association for the study of economics. A proposal by the New Zealand Library Association for the establishment of a national library system was endorsed and its request for Government consideration of the possibility of making all libraries free was supported. It was made a recommendation to the Government that scholarships to be hold at the university through the W.E.A. be provided by trade unions and other workers’ organisations, and be subsidised by the Government. The conference urged that a national system of adult education be established. including the extension of the W.E.A.

The Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, gave a detailed explanation of the activities of his department in broadening the scope of education and of changes contemplated by him. Another recommendation proposed that with a view to the ultimate introduction of the metric system it be a compulsory subject at all schools. The provision of a chair of veterinary science at the agricultural colleges was sought in another recommendation. Dietetics as a compulsory subject in all schools was a recommendation to the Minister of Education; also that steps be taken to provide instruction for mothers on the correct feeding of all children of pre-schooj age. The conference rejected a remit making it necessary for Parliamentary candidates to have been members of the party for three years prior to nomination instead of for two years as is required at present.

It was decided to ask the Government to legislate So as to make the distribution of party tickets outside polling booths lawful at municipal elections on account of the largo number of candidates.

A remit proposing that polling papers at all elections should stipulate the party the candidate belonged to was lost.