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Evening Star, Issue 16033, 9 February 1916, Page 4

Particular attention is being paid at present by tho various educational authorities throughout the Commonwealth to the question of school hygiene. It is being more generally recognised every day that if the best results are to be obtained from the educational systems, both teacher and pupil should labor under conditions which are most conducive to health (says tho Brisbane ‘Daily Mail’). A lot, however, yet remains to be done. One reason for the backwardness of this branch of educational development, according to Captain Wholohan, a delegate from the South Australian Teachers’, Union to the conference of the Queensland Teachers’ Union, held last week, is the fact that public opinion is not backing up the efforts of the teachers in their endeavor to obtain a more hygienic environment. In his opinion, expressed in an address to tho conference, they could make their schools “almost like a dream” if only they had public opinion at their back, J

The decision of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association Patriotio yesterday to send delegates Funds. to Wellington to attend on

the 17th insfc. the third conference of patriotic societies convened by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) was a wise stop for several special reasons. It is true that the preceding conferences did not accomplish much in the nature of definite business, but in view of the widespread suspicion that the Government are attempting to foist their own responsibilities as regards adequate treatment of relumed soldiers upon patriotic associations, all such societies should not hesitate to make the most of an opportunity for reminding the Minister with impressive emphasis that the Government’s policy in respect to the funds voluntarily and generously raised by the people must be “ Hands off.” It has: been made very clear of late that the Hon. Mr Russell, who has been somewhat overzealous at poking his finger into the patriotic pie, requires a very emphatic reminder that governmental interference with the distribution of patriotic funds will not be tolerated. If the Minister of Internal Affairs limits his administrative enthusiasm to the matter of encouraging satisfactory methods of distribution, his activity and advice will be very acceptable and worthy of commendation ; but he has yet to remove a very general suspicion that he is an active agent of a Ministry not without desire to lean upon the strength of patriotic funds in order to avoid increases general taxation. The suspicion may be without foundation, but there is no 1 doubt that it exists strongly and widely throughout the Dominion, and it certainly lias not been diminished by the recent action of Mr Russell in informing the Auckland War Rjelief Association that “ the Cabinet is of opinion that the maxi- “ mum rate in cases of death and disable- “ merit does not represent the generous pat- “ riot-ism of the people of Auckland Pro- “ vince in subscribing for the sick and “ wounded soldiers the very largo sum “ which is held by the association.” It is not at all surprising that the Auckland executive resented the Ministerial communication, which showed that the Government are very solicitous for disabled soldiers and embarrassed dependents when the maximum allowance affects the funds of patriotic associations. The Government would have deserved the heartiest commendation if tlie Minister’s communication to the Auckland association had been accompanied by an assurance that the Cabinet had decided to increase the maximum pensions to disabled soldiers and dependents. Until the Government strengthen the weaknesses of the War Pensions Act, and remove certain fretting anomalies, patriotic associations would bo well advised to avoid fixing a permanent maximum of supplementary allowance. The duty of the State towards our soldiers should not be influenced by the condition of the various patriotic funds. There will be ample need of both State and patriotic funds before the war is over, and the worst of its distressing influences are forgotten. Apart from that aspect of the question, the proposed conference offer’s opportunity for a beneficial discussion of many difficult phases of the administration of patriotic funds. The Minister of Internal Affairs is to be congratulated on his agenda for the conference. We entirely agree with the aim at seeming uniformity of benefits, and would urge the Otago and Southland societies to instruct them delegates to support the principle of establishing a Dominion scale, with free elasticity as regards provision for special cases, where local knowledge of unusual circumstances might warrant increased allowances. Of course, it goes without saying that the Otago Association will maintain their wise determination to retain absolute control of their funds. But that determination need' not prejudicially aflect Otago’s support of any proposals which aim at securing uniformity as to conditions and distribution of moneys. It is to be especially hoped, however, that Otago and Southland will cordially join with other societies in advocating improvement in the war pensions, and in combating governmental interference with patriotic funds.