A WINTER MONTH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 90, 13 October 1931, Page 15

A WINTER MONTH

MR. ATMORE'S VIEWS

UNIFICATION OF CONTROL

Opposition to any cut in the educational vote was expressed by Mr. HAtmore, M.P., ex-Minister of Education, in a letter received by the Wellington School Committees' and Educational Federation last evening. Mr. Atmore quoted statistics to support his contention that reduction could not be made except in the cost of administrative control. "Lowering the standard of education, which must inevitably result f; im _ any large-scale reduction' in the educational activities, is a retrograde step," eaid Mr. Atmore. "It is well that the parents and educationists generally of the Dominion should be made fully aware of the possibilities of the near future, for there is still confusion in the minds of some of our legislators aa to the distinction between the meaning of non-expenditure and 'economy.' ; "I am convinced that it is not wise to curtail any of the educational activities of the Dominion. Problems are becoming more intricate and complex, and there can be no true economy, but only a nonexpenditure, in decreasing the amount available for the intellectual development of our future citizens. "Men and women' in every country of the world are endeavouring to find a. way out of the economic labyrinth.; and the urgent need of the hour is a higher development of intellect, so that leaders, of thought, imbue.d with altruistig ideals, may show the way to happier conditions. ... I have insisted upon every occasion that ignorance is infinitely more expensive than education. I knew that my views on education were not shared by ■• my colleagues, some of whom were emphasising the opinion that there was need tc largely decrease the educational vote. "I have given much thought to the possibility of finding ways for decreasing the cost of education without, to use the Prime Minister's own words, 'lowering the standard of education,' but it was difficult to see where any retrenchment could' be made except in the cost of administrative control. CONTROL QUESTION. "I have emphasised the necessity for unification of controlling authorities, and aui pleased to say a measure of success has been attained; that is, the unification of the technical and secondary schools' administrative bodies; but the nest step should bo taken so that in most centres there would be one controlling authority over the different phases of education which at present in most places appear to be in watertight compartments. However, as the total cost of administration is £117,000, it is obvious that- the halfmillion, and in some instances, the million, which.it is alleged by critics can be saved, cannot bo taken out of administrative costs." Mr. Atmore said that part of the real increase in tho education vote was due to the successful attempts to carry improved educational facilities into the country districts, and these appeared to him to be indispensable adjuncts to successful land settlement. Many attacks had been made on the expenditure on secondary education, but all educationists were firmly convinced that the primary school standard was insufficient for the needs of to-day, when so many difficult problems had to be faced, and it wns hoped that the free-place regulations would not be interfered with. Mr. Atmore said he would rather see the age limit raised, as he believed a disservice was done to the boys and girls in forcing them to leave school in the -present depressed times, when it was impossible to find positions for them.