EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1931, Page 10

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

PROPRIETY OF CHANGE

HOUSE OR COUNCIL?

MR. ATMORE AND MR MASTERS

Reference to the change in the portfolio of Education was made at a meeting of the AV'ellingtou Education Hoard to-day. The chairman (Mr. T. Forsyth) moved: That the Wellington Education Board wishes to place on record its high appreciation of the great interest taken by the late Minister of Education in all matters relating to education welfare in New Zealand, and it trusts that he will still continue to take that deep interest in education that has always marked his career. Mr. Forsyth said that although Mr. Atmore had been displaced, he felt that the late Minister would always take an interest in education matters.

Mr. P. Robertson said ho would like to support the motion. Ho referred to the resolution carried by the Nelson Board, and said Hint Mr. Atmore had taken .1 far wider view than the interests of Kelson. Mr. Kobertson referred to Mr. Atmore's unbounded energies and the manner in which he had toured the whole Dominion. The Committee and the Report, to his mind, had times been normal, would have loft a mark, and tho work done by that Committee would have been a monument for all time. lie was afraid that the Coalition Government had rot made an advance in the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Masters. I The chairman: "Query." Mr. AY. 11. Jackson: "No politics." Mr. Robertson said hu did like to give Mr. Atmore credit for what he had done. He referred to possible economies, which, ho thought, might be made at the expense of the children.

Colonel T. W. M'Donald, M.P., said that Mr. Atmoro would be a very proud man indeed when he was informed of the resolution. Ho (the speaker) had worked very closely with Mr. Atmore, and there was nothing political iv saying that ho had never associated with any member of Parliament during the last three years who had taken such a keen interest in educational matters as Mr, Atmore had. All the time Mr. Atmoro was out to promote the educational system.

Mr. C. H. Nicholls also paid a tribute to Mr. Atmore's work.

Tho resolution was carried.

MB. MASTEBS EULOGISED.

Mr. Forsyth said he wanted to place on record the fact that the board congratulated the now Minister on his appointment. In moving a resolution, he said he ilid so with a great deal of pleasure, as Mr. Masters was a very old friend. He referred to Mr. Masters's chairmanship of the Tardnaki Education Board, and said that the Wellington Board already bad had evidence of the new Minister's business training and administrative capacity. He expressed his pleasure at the portfolio of Education having been lifted from the common ruck of politics. In recent years there had been a tendency to consider that Education should become a mere political football. He had heard it stated in the House that no member of a board had the right to say what the requirements of a district were— that the- member of Parliament for the district, was the representative. He took exception to that. For that reason ho was very pleased that the portfolio had been removed from that part of the- Legislature. In the present unprecedented times it was important that a man placed in that position should be able to take a stand without regard to anybody or any vote. ECONOMIES NECESSARY. Mr. Forsyth's motion was supported by Mr. J. J. Clark. The country was calling for economies, he said, and he considered that economies could be made in education without sacrificing any efficiency. Mr. Masters would do that very unpleasant job. He was fairminded, a thorough business man, and capable of gripping the position very quickly.

Colonel M'Donald, replying to remarks made by Mr. Forsyth, said that while he did say that a member of Parliament had every right to ask for requirements regarding education or other requirements, he never did say that the member for the district was the only one. He disagreed with Mr. Forsyth over the removal of Education from the- House to the Legislative Council. It was the most retrograde step that had ever been made, with the exception of one previous occasion, when a similar thing was done and the Government had to bring back the portfolio into the House. He would not bo a bit surprised to see something similar happen this time.

Mr. Forsyth said that remarks he had made excluded, not included, Colonel M'Donald.

The motion was carried.