THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10070, 10 August 1895, Page 3

THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Welling ton, Friday. At the Education Conference tha followiuji delegates were present-.—Auck-land, SlrG. M. O'Rorke and Mr R. Udy ; Napier, Hon. J. D. Ormond ; Wanganni, Mejsrs F.'Pirani, M.H.R.. G. Cirton, and Bridge ; Wellington, Messrn J. R. Blsir, F. H. F/aser, and Dr. Newman, M.H.R. ; Nelsan. Meßera Talbot, Mof>in~ nity, and Franklin ; Marlborongh, Hou, Captain Baillte and Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.R. ; Greymouth, Hon. J. Kerr ; Westland, Mr J. M'Whirter; North Canterbury, Hon. W, Montgomery, Messrs A. Sounders and R. Meredith, M.H.R.'s; South Canterbury, Rev. G. Barclay ; Otago, Hon. J. MacGregor, Messrs Green and T. M'Kenzie, M.H.R.'e ; Invercargill, Messrs M'Nab and Macintosh, M.H.R.'s. Mr Mills moved a resolution, the effect being to ask the Minister to alter bhe Act) ro as to do away with the friction between Boards and committees re the appointment of teachers. A long discussion ensued, the msptity of the members whilst agreeing that the presenb procedure was unsatisfactory, declining to vote tor tha motion because they considered it would place too much power in tbe hands of committees. The motion was negatived. Mr MacGregor moved a resolution bo tbe effect tbat the Boards should bo elected by the electors of the colony, and that the Minister be aeked to amend tbe Act in that direction. The motion was lost on the casting vote of the chairman.

A motion by Dr, Newman in favor of a national system of decimal notation was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Udy ib was resolved to ask the Minister to amend' the Act to enable Boards to establish central Ecbools for children after passing the fifbh standard, with a view to give the children more practical Instruction than is afforded by bbc present schoolo. The usual compliment to the chair terminated tbe labors of the Conference.

I/ATER. A deputation (torn the Educational Conference watted upon the Minister for Education this evening. Mr Blair, as chairman, introduced the deputation, and

brought under the Minister's notice the

resolutions carried by the Conference. He nrpert that something in the dlreotion of

technical education should be done this year, otherwise the good results ot the Conference would be dlmlnl&hed, Mr Blair explained the resolutions separately. Mr Bridge (Wangaoui) spoke as to the distribution of the building grant and

the claims of various districts,

The Con-

ference representing both large and small Boards was agreed that there should bo a more equitable distribution.

Dr. Newman said the Conference was very anxious that the Minister's own Manual of Technical Elementary Instrnetion Bill of 1892 should become law this session. They thought lb would settle the difficulty for many years to come. The friends of the Conference In Parliament would assist the Minister as much as possible. Mr Reeves, In reply, acknowledged tho importance and representative cbarater of ths deputation, still he thought It> a pity that official information wan not given to a Minister or to thepermaneat head of tho Department, neither was any sort of invitation extended to him to be present at the Conference. Co-operation between the Minister and the permanent head of the Department was very desirable in thu interests of education. He (Mr Keevep) had to depend for his information us to the proceedings, npon short reports In the newspapers. He was glad to see that ymbllo opinion had now come up to hie Mannal and Technical Elementary BUI. However, it was a question of fnnds, and he could only pat the matter before the Cabinet and hope for a favorable answer,

Tfierc v.'us rio'.hinn iv thu Act to prewnt the Kindergarten Rystem being applied as suggested. The regulations only dealt with results nob methods. He concarred with those who urged the clnlnn of the Kindergarten. If there were 'my dllßlculties by reason of regulations ho would help to have thorn removed. Ho must toll them frankly that ho would not give them any help as regards evening con« tinuatlon schools. AH the money available was required for ordinary educational purposes ; besides, ho was opposed to the system on principle, (is it would tempt children from the ordiuary schools. The distribution of tha building grant was evidently a burning question at tho Conference. Ho was glnd tin aco that) hh syoteni wns generally approved of. Tlicro wore other Oiiiuga lo bo considered bncldrs the progress of nebtlemcut. Ho would bo prepired to consider fully any information supplied from the different Boards. If one district obtained a larger grant one year than uimnl thnt would havo to be considered In ranking tho grant the following year. Mr Reeves admitted that legislation wns necessary to prevent minors from voting. Hu regarded the introduction of the decimal notation ns a matter of opinion, but if adopted by the resb of the Empire New Zealand would not be found ro stand in the way. He did not think legislation was necessary to give Boards the power to adopt a uniform system throughout the colony In the appointment of teachers. He had no intention of working the Act in any narrow spirit. Returning to tho question of the building granb and principles of its distribution, he said it) wns in reality a question of the funds available. They had at present to make £45,000 do, when about £60.000 was necessary. However, he could nob promise bo Increase the vote, bub hoped with the aselßtanco of members present to Induce Parliament to keep the grnnti at £45,000. Before the deputation withdrew they a?snred the Minister that they bad no Intention to act discourteously to him, by not iavitlng him to be present at their deliberations. They would have been pleased to have him with them, but feared as Parliament was fitting he could not spare the time. The Minister stated that he wa9 quite satisfied with the explanation, and tbo deputation withdrew, after thanking Mr Reeves for his kindness.