EDUCATION COSTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 8 December 1931, Page 4

EDUCATION COSTS

TIME FOR REDUCTION MINISTER’S OPINION. EMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. Wanganui, Dec. 7. Speaking at the opening of the new Technical College hostel, which cost £31,000, the Hon. B. Masters, Minister of Education, said that New Zealand had been generous in all matters pertaining to social services, and bad been proud of it, but in times of industrial depres- . sion such services became burdensome. People would have to realise their responsibilities and give serious consideration to a reduction in expenditure. He intimated that a reduction in expenditure in all Government departments, especially on the administrative side, would come under the Government’s consideration in the near future. BURDEN ON FARMERS. The farmers of New Zealand, said Mr Masters, were the men who were providing the money to build such structures as the new hostel, and until more of their produce was sold the country would have to slow up in expenditure. Ho intimated that there would be- strict economies in the Education Department, but he stated definitely that the chances of boys and girls of New Zealand would not be affected in regard to reported curtailment of the free-place system. He said that if he had a business manager in his business he would leave him alone for twelve months, and at tjie end of that time ho would expect a balance from him, and he would take stock. That was what he was doing now in regard to secondary education. It was his duty to see that the basis of their education was sound before children were allowed to go to seconary schools. Tn regard to unemployment he advised who had trained for a specific profession or trade to take any job that they could get. If they did not work they would not get on. Hard work and application would get the average New Zealand boy as far as he liked to go Mr Masters said that he had made arrangements to call a conference of all those who would be able to help in formulating schemes to give boys leaving school employment. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., said that the presence of such a large crowd at the opening of the new hostel was evidence of the belief that Wanganui was still one of the largest and best educational centres in New Zealand. The most important problem that would occupy the attention of the new Parliament was the employment of young people leaeving school. Mr W. Brace, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Technical College, said that various schemes had been suggested for the employment of boys and girls leaving school. One of them was the provision for a plan for closer land settlement, which seemed to him to have much to recommend it. However, the matter would have the close attention of Parliament and a select committee to be called by Mr Masters at an early date.