SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 16

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

QUESTION OF MATERIAL

A BOARD'S QUANDARY

.. 'i'l could bring1 along a piece of cloth that looks all right but through which you '■, could . easily poke your finger," was,the remark made by one member at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Colleges' Board of Governors. The discussion at the time related to college uniforms. Uniformity in material was what was.aimed at, and the suggestion was: made that material made in New Zealand, or at any rate material of British manufacture, should be insisted upon. Mr.- G. 'Mitchell, the chairman, said that in view of the quality of the wool grown in New Zealand and the good materials made locally, it would seem reasonable to stipulate that the uniforms should be of New Zealand manufacture. Mr. W. V. Dyer said that the board had no power to decide .. that:... the parents who were the buyers had the final say. The board could only stipulate' that the uniforms should be up to standard. Parents would very soon find out if they had bought shoddy imported material. He queried whether New Zealand was altogether innocent of producing shoddy material. The board could only express a wish in the matter or make a recommendation, it could not dictate, remarked Mrs. Knox Gilmer. Several members agreed that all possible should be done to -advocate the use of New Zealand^ade cloth in school and college uniforms. If they were buying as a board, said Mr. Mitchell, they could do as they liked and insist on New Zealand or British material, but the parents had the final say in the matter of buying. "The New Zealand public is paying for the education," said Mr. W. H. P. Barber, "so surely they have the right to insist on New Zealand-made .goods." It was no good passing a resolution insisting on New Zealand-made cloth for the uniforms, Mr. Mitchell said, for they, could not enforce it. They had no power to dictate to the parents in the matter. " ; Upon the chairman's suggestion the matter was held over until the next meeting. In the meantime a committee will consult with, the principals of the schools and colleges concerned and with the Drapers' Association, with a view to devising somie method whereby the end desired .can (be achieved. ;