FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 18031, 27 July 1922, Page 8

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

REMITS ADOPTED,

EDUCATION OF COUNTRY

CHILDREN,

At the- Dominion Conference of the Farmers’ Union, now being hold in Wellington, the following business was put through; _ The following remit was carried —“ln view of the alleged fact that public hospital charges are fixed at rates much below the cost of accommodation and medical attention, and as a consequence regulations have been framed which have had' the effect of shutting out all patients _ other than those altogether indigent (which is a distinct hardship to country residents who • cannot afford to pay the high -charges at private hospitals), it is considered advisable that an intermediate charge reasonably covering the cost of such attention and accommodation be feed for such cases as may desire of their own volition attention at a public hospital.” That the duration of Parliament should be for five years instead'of three years as at present, and that in tho case of a resignation from the Executive Council of any public body or of the Legislature tho vacancy by such resignation bo filled by a nomination by such Council or Legislature, unless a fresh election can be secured without cost to tho public, was a North Canterbury motion. Mr D. l3ateß (North Canterbury) stated that in only 100 many, instances tho intentions of Parliament were not what they might he from tho point of view of democracy. In many cases a member after his election was only a disturbing clement in the House, but he.did not think that the time was opportune for the conference to consider the matter, and he withdrew the remit. Tho second portion, ho said, had been printed by mistake, as it had failed to find a seconder. , .

Special remits on educational subjects were considered, these relating more particularly to the facilities which are available far the education and dental treatment of children in -tho hack Hocks ami country areas. Mr R , Arnott (Southland) moved—- “ That in the opinion of this conference it is advisable, in the interests of education and economy, that groups of small backblocks schools in any district whore settlors are agreeable should bo centralised by means of the establishment of a larger and better equipped school in a central position convenient for tho whole group, and that the .scholars should be conveyed by up-to-date conveyances free of charge.” In doing so, lie. said that otherwise the children could not receive the education that they should. —Mr W. W. ■Mulholiand (Auckland) seconded the motion. Ho said they could not advance in districts where the population was sparse. In his district the master had to prepare fifty lessons a day for the children, and he could not keep on doing that. Very few children drifted into the high schools. If the children were brought together in a fairly large school they could have a bettor education. It would also bring about a better average attendance. The following remite on educational matters were carried :

“ Seeing that country children do not have opportunities of attending secondaryschools, and that the present Jaw demands a knowledge of bookkeeping, the Government be urged to make bookkeeping, in simple form, a compulsory subject in the Fifth and bisth Standards in primary schools.” “ That the Department of Education bo urged to have uniform school books throughout the dominion.” “That representation be made to the department requesting it. to supply all the necessary books and stationery required in our primary" schools at cost price.” Mr W. Jt. Norton moved —“ That the attention of tho Government bo called to the unfair disadvantage which the parents of children attending country schools are placed in regarding dental treatment, and that it bo urged to grant the same privileges to all school children under (he jurisdiction of the various education boards.” —Tho remit was carried.