MORAL OBLIGATION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 109, 10 May 1932, Page 13

MORAL OBLIGATION

AFTER VOLUNTARY ACTION

SCHOOL FUNDS PROBLEM

The proposal of the Karori School Committee to ask parents for voluntary contributions towards the sporting, social, and other activities of the school was criticised at the annual meeting of the. Wellington School Committees and Educational Federation last night.

The executive committee of the federation, in a report, opposed the action of the school committee on the grounds that "voluntary contributions" under such conditions could very easily be accepted as "moral obligations."

Under the existing laws parents were taxed directly and indirectly for educational purposes, and whilst ever willing to assist in voluntary efforts to raise funds for school improvements, other than general maintenance, the committee was opposed to any action that would inflict undue hardship on parents and scholars. The committee hoped that the school committee would take steps to. ha.ye the resolution rescinded and a definite appeal made for support for the school. The committee felt sure that the people of Karpri would come to the assistance of the school committee in a manner worthy of the district.

■ After discussion the report was Adopted with the addition of an amendment, moved by Mr. L. J. McDonald, asking the Earori School Committee to accept the report as an expression of opinion without prejudice, and to realise that it was prompted only by the desire^ to protect school committees throughput the Dominion from the general imposition of the principle.