FREE SCHOOL BOOKS

Evening Star, Issue 19408, 17 November 1926, Page 5

FREE SCHOOL BOOKS

DUHEDIN SCHEME FAILS Tlie Education Board this considered a letter from the Education Department suggesting that all hoards should cal] tenders for the supply of exercise books, the cost to be met by advertisements. The Hon. D. T. Fleming moved—- “ That this board, desirous of enabling school exorcise honks being supplied at the lowest possible cost, has, on two previous occasions, accepted tenders from firms for the 'supply of free exercise books on the lines suggested by the department, but in each case the contractors failed to sign or proceed with the contract. The board reaffirms the desirability of the supply ol stationery free or at tho lowest possible cost to the school, and is agreeable to the suggestion of tho department in this connection, and urges: 1. The usual quality of paper for school purposes ho used. 2. Scrutiny of advertisements to be inserted in the exercise books. 3. JS T o selection of schools or classes in schools to be made in the supply of free stationery.” Mr Fleming' said that occasionally one bear’d of the exorbitant prices charged for school books and stationery. _ Ho pointed out that the board had lists of the books required and the prices, and suggested that where books could not be obtained locally tho board should be prepared to supply books or stationery at listed prices either to pupils or to classes. The Chairman t (Mr J. Wallace): “ You are drawing attention to the fact that the hoard passed such a resolution some time ago.” Mr J. H. Wilkinson, in seconding the motion, pointed out that it was just ns well that parents should know the board had given consideration to the matter, and was anxious that the children of Otago should get ns .much concession as the children of other parts of New Zealand. The hoard had entered into a contract for the supply of free stationery, but tho negotiations had not been completed owing to the contractors not being able to get the requisite number of advertisements. The motion -was carried.