CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 25172, 11 May 1944, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

POST-PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM \X meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was ueid yesainayr'eeard to the post-primary school curriculum, it was decided to forward the following resolution to the Associated Chambers of Commerce:—"That this chamber urges upon the Associated Chambers the necessity for seeing that the recommendations contained in the consultative report of the committee on the post-primary school curriculum and the comments of the business community as expressed by the Dunedin Chamber regarding the report are »iven the fullest consideration. The opinions of the business community, as representative of large employers of labour, should be carefully considered by th* t<<>vernrnent and Education Department." It was also resolved: "That the Minister of Education be urged to include in tho education conference to be held in August a representative of Associated Chambers, or, failing this, that the Associated Chambers be permitted to submit evidence to the conference.'' In connection with the establishment of the Organisation for National Development, it was resolved that the Associated Chambers be commended on the action they had taken.' and it was also decided to discuss the project with Dr R. W. Souter. * It was decided to arrange for a meeting to be addressed by Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., on the Hawea-Wanaka electric power and irrigation scheme, the rehabilitation of returned soldiers on the land in the Upper Clutha Valley, the destruction of agricultural land in the Upper Clutha Valley, and the development of the deposits. In connection with these matters, deputations will wait on the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, and Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, who are expected to be in Dunedin about the end of the month. The question of afforestation was discussed, and it was decided to take action prior to.the municipal elections, requesting the support of candidates for this important matter.

It was decided to seek from Dr C. E. Ilercus the opinion of the medical profession regarding pre-primary education by kindergartens. It was also decided to procure from the secretary of the local branch of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association the number of kindergartens in Dunedin and the number of children catered for.

In view of uncertainty in the community in regard to the administration of the earthquake damage fund, it was decided to send a. letter to the Associated Chambers stating that the Dunedin Chamber was still inclined to press for the assessment of claims by a judicial tribunal.