SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1934, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSN.

CONFERENCE DECISIONS. t [per press association.] > TIMARU, August 29. The first annual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Association concluded this afternoon. Mr A. Roberts (Auckland) was electetd President, members paying a tribute to his qualifications. Other officers elected were: Senior Vice President, Mr C. R. Mackie (Canterbury); Junior Vice-President, Mr W. G. Black (Manawatu); Parliamentary Committee, Messrs L. Hennessey H. M. Harris, F. H. Porter (chairman), A. Paraland, A. N. Ingram (secretary), all of Wellington, and W. G. Black (Manawatu); National Executive, Messrs W. W. Murray, AV. H. Fortune, A. Spence, A. Miller, F. C. Pace, all of Auckland, the venue of next conferCIIC6 Palmerston-North remits carried included: “That this conference reaffirms its previous decision that the legislalation governing the election of school committees should provide for the annual retirement of one-half, or the nearest lesser number; and repudiates the statement that the Dominion Federation asked for an extension of the life of the whole school committee for two years without this proviso.” The conference passed a resolution referring all remits covering the question of capitation allowance and subsidies on moneys raised by school committees to the Parliamentary Committee with a recommendation that the State should provide the whole cost of caretaking, fuelling and maintenance of school buildings and grounds, and that the grading, the staffing, and capitation allowances should be based on the average roll number, instead of the average attendance, as at present. Emphatic declaration against any form of compulsory religious instruction in the primary schools were made by delegates. The subject was discussed on a remit, which subsequently was withdrawn from the Otago Association suggesting that the Federation should urge on Parliament the importance of the Bible-in-Schools Enabling Bill, and asking for it to be made law. A decision was made to set. up a special committee, with power to cooperate for the purpose of investigating the primary educational system and of preparing the Federation’s policy of primary education and administration for adoption in New Zealand.