SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Star, Issue 21811, 29 August 1934, Page 14

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

AH IMPORTANT CONFERENCE [Per United Press Association - .] TIMARU, August' 28. The first annual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Associations was opened today, a large number of delegates being present. In his presidential address Mr J. W. Preen, of Timaru, said the executive had had a strenuous time in that it had had to blaze a trail, and being so involved in the activities of its own business it perhaps had not accomplished as much as it would have liked. As a result of the views put before the Minister of Education by the last conference deputation, the Minister had seen fit to make two substantial grants to education boards for the maintenance of school buildings, while the boarding allowances to country pupils had greatly helped those who lived away from home to take advantage of the facilities for secondary education. It was regrettable that the Minister did not procure the passage of the Bill dealing with the life of school committees by omitting the most essentia! part in that “ part only ” should retire. The President also suggested that gatherings should be held biennially on the score of expense to committees. During the afternoon the delegates were accorded a civic reception hy the deputy-mayor (Mr‘ G. Benstead) in the absence of the mayor. The conference agreed to the following remits:— South Taranaki: “ That, in view of the changes in the federation headquarters a strong, vigilant, and advisory committee be maintained in Wellington to act in conjunction with' the Dominion. Executive.” The conference strongly opposed the further establishment of intermediate schools, as .it was considered that the Dressing needs of primary schools should first be satisfied. The conference agreed to a Wellington remit urging an amendment of the staffing regulations and the reclassification of teachers to receive promotion in their own schools without the necessity for a transfer. it was also decided to make an urgent appeal to the Minister of Health for a travelling dental clinic’s services for country districts.