ECONOMY AXE

Evening Star, Issue 20982, 22 December 1931, Page 8

ECONOMY AXE

DESCENDS ON FREE KINDERGARTENS NO FURTHER GOVERNMENT GRANTS A serious blow to the free kindergarten movement has been given by the Government’s decision to withhold subsidies and grants to the schools after the current year. When the last Estimates were brought down over £5,000, an increase of £IOO on the previous year’s grant, was provided for free kindergartens; but the Education Department has now advised the council of the movement in Dunedin that all grants and subsidies are being withdrawn. , The amount received by Dunedin in the past has been approximately £I,OOO, and the loss of this assistance will have a serious - effect on the valuable work being carried out in the kindergartens. At best the financial loss will cause a heavy curtailment of the scope of the schools. In addition to the Government grant the schools have been maintained by public subscriptions, and it is generally admitted that the Dunedin Committee is sorely perplexed with the financial position now facing it. The copy of the memorandum received on December 17 by the Dunedin Committee read as follows: —“ I regret to have to advise that no Government grants (capitation or otherwise) will be available for free kindergarten associations after the close of the current year. —E. j. Park, for Director of Education.” , , .

A meeting .was held this morning to determine what steps should be taken with regard to the serious situation in which the movement throughout New Zealand has been placed by the decision. Sir Thomas K. Sidey presided, and there were present the executive of the Dunedin Council, the Advisory Board, and Messrs A. E. Ansell, M.P., and F. Jones, M.P.