EDUCATION BOARDS

Evening Star, Issue 16625, 7 January 1918, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARDS

ELECTION METHODS CRITICISED,

"Unsatisfactory, undemocratic,-and producing most undesirable results," was the phrase made use of at Wellington on Thursday at the Educational Institute Conference, when the subject of the present method of electing Education Boards was being discussed. The Bpeaker was Mr J. E. Purchase, M.A. (North Canterbury), and he was moving in the matter of getting a declaration from the conference that the method is unsatisfactory. Mr Purchase said that they in Canterbury were not in favor of ■ the abolition of Education Boards, but desired to see their powers widened. The way in which the members of the boards were elected was not what it should be. As an example of what he meant he might say that out of all the people in Christchurch only 108 people had the right to vote for the election of board members, and in Timaru the number of peoplo eligible to vote was 27. The franchise was much too limited—confined to school committees—and. it should be widened. The subject was one which deserved generous and immediate consideration. Even in the case of the ICB peoplo in Christchurch he had mentioned all did not exercise tho vote owirig to the formation of school committees' associations. Something should be done and done immediately—in the matter of adjustment.

Mr F. T. Evans (North Canterbury), in seconding the motion, said that the extension of the franchise might raiso tho calibre of the board, but certainly would cause a lot moro interest in an election. To what extent the franchise should be widened was, perhaps, debatable, but the principle was sound.

Mr A. N. Burns, M.A. (Hutt) opposed the motion, his idea being the doiiig away with local Education Boards altogether and the substitution of a National Board.' The motion was carried on the voices.