SPENT ON EDUCATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 April 1922, Page 7

SPENT ON EDUCATION.

GREAT INCREASE SINCE 1914

(BT TELEGBAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION ) CHRISTCHURCH, April 13. Some of the householders' meetings having passed resolutions protesting against any stinting in regard to educational expenditure, the Hon. C. J. Parr, mv. the course of an interview, said that he hardly knew what was meant by stinting. In 1914 the salaries for public schools amounted to £697,478. This year he believed they would reach £1,730,000. He regretted having to take back £80,000 in the recent cut, and hoped that it would be only temporary. The total expenditure on education in 1914 was £1,412,372. This year it would be £3,500,000. No Government had done more for the teaching profession than the present one.

With regard to the emolument and status of teachers many people thought that too much was being spent on education in New Zealand. He was opposed to any economy in vital or essential services, but certain excjescences which had grown up would be lopped off. During the past two years the Government had spent or granted nearly £1,000,000 for buildings. Hard times had nearly halted the building programme, which would resume immediately finances were easier. The Government, to the best of its resources, would provide schools were there were no schools, and make necessary extensions to meet overcrowding. With regard to pensions, the Government contribution last year was £45,000, but an actuarial report furnished to him showed that to make the fund perfectly sound the Government contribution must be £68,000.