Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15th., 1933. SCHOOL TELEPHONES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15th., 1933. SCHOOL TELEPHONES.

IT would bo interesting to know whal the Postmaster General thinks of the Acting of Education’s statement that “the fact few schools have telephones shows they are not an essential’eonvenience. and he suggests that, in order to provide for emergencies arrangements might, be made to use neighbouring telephones.” Were this peculiar argument carried to its logical conclusion, no telephone would be “essential,” and when a call was urgently wanted, recourse would be had to a neighbour able to afford the luxury. In view of the P. and T. Department’s endeavours to increase the number of national subscribers, and also the revenue from phones, and its insistence that every house should ha\'o a telephone installed, the Education Minister appears to be spoiling his colleague’s business propaganda. Regarding the installation of telephones, in schools, most, parents will probably disagree with Mr. Bit (‘honor's decision. If not absolutely essential, 'phones at schools would be a great convenience, assuring closer touch between school and homes should circumstances make this desirable. In these days of arduous finance for school committees, these cannot be blamed for seeking economy, where ’phones are concerned, hut none, the less, no school of any size should be regarded as efficiently equipped, unless there is telephonic, connection with the outside community. Dependence on a neighbour’s ’phone is not altogether satislae--tory, although doubtless, the use would be cheerfully granted. Mr. Bitchener declared that he did not feel ‘justified in approaching the Postmaster General for a concession to schools in telephone fees. This diffidence is difficult to understand. h’ew applicants would have a stronger case, for such consideration. THE COMPETITIONS. THE West Coast Competitions Society performs a useful part in maintaining community ideals, and it is to be hoped that this year's festival will be successful from all viewpoints. The problem of finance is facing this Society, as most other organisations, and if adequate support is not forthcoming, there is a danger that' the activities of the Society may have to be curtailed. That would be a great pity, but the possibility should not be overlooked. This year s pro- ■ gramme follows familial* .lines, and ■ with Ihe greater number of outside ; entries, the competition for Ihe j laurels should be keener. i

Lovers of music, oratory, ami ('locution are perturbed til 11> (1 prospects of these arts, owing to llie increasing mechanisation ol many things formerly human. Peril;’,ps these tears are magnified, due to tlie initial shocks from the new inventions, but il cannot be disputed that il would be disastrous if ihrough laziness, or Ihe luck ol

encouragement, I hose gifted with musical or vocal abilities, should 10l these rust. This is when 1 organisations such as the Competitions

(Society may bo most useful, in givling the incentive to develop any 'talents acquired or inherited. Apart I from the- educational and aesthetic benefit?, there is. considerable entertainment to be gained by performers and audience, a factor nor to be despised when the avenues lor public entertainment are becoming fewer and somewhat stereotyped. The Competitions Society deserves to succeed, and it will have general good wishes during the ensuing week.