TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16493, 7 March 1914, Page 14

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATION. NEW BILL ANTICIPATED. In bis report to the Board of Governors of tho Christchurch Technical College last night, Mr G. Scott, chairman of the Board, referred to the possibility of the Government introducing a new Education Bill during the coming session. In view of the fact that the Government would no doubt brings down an Education Bill this session, ne said, it seejned desirable that the Board should arrange a conference with the North Canterbury members of Parliament, to discuss matters that especially concerned technical education. It was not unlikely that the new Education Bill would propose considerable changes in educational administration, and he thought it important that the Board should emphasise tho desirability of allowing the administration of technicaL colleges to remain with the representatives of the local bodies that contribute to their support. Any attempt to alter tho law in this respect would Ire disastrous for two reasons. It would bo likely at once to cut off a' source of revenue which was most uecessary if technical education was to make the progress that circumstances demanded, and it would destroy to a large extent the widespread interest that was at present taken in it. From timo to time, though not recently, it had been hinted that a share of the burden of education should fall upon local rates, as was the case in Great Britain. Should any such proposal bo made, ho contended that it should be tncsfc strenuously resisted. In its recognition of tho fact that education was a national and not a local concern, and therefore required to be supported out of national and not out of local lands, New Zealand had led the way. To-day a strong demand was being made at Home that the educational policy of the Old Country should bo reversed, and that instead* of allowing education to be largely dependent upon the recognition of its value by local bodies, the national exchequer should bo responsible for the whole of educational support. There was another reform, continued Mr Scott, that he considered urgent, that was the provision of free continuation education under suitable regulations, to all who were willing to avail themselves of it, and he earnestly hoped the Government would see its way to make the reform a leading plank m its educational platform. Mr B. Hunter said that while he supported the chairman’s remarks regarding tho national aspect of education lie.deprecated tho present system, of "cadging” necessary to get from the Government funds needed to carry on the all-important work of education.

Mr J. M’Cullough said that the suggested conference would ba in the very be~t interest of the College and lie moved that it should be given effect

Mr W. H. Cooper said that no party, in its dying hours, would bring in such a controversial measure. He would oppose any movement to impose tlie cost of education on local bodies. If that were done education would starve. Such a proposal would be ridiculous. Mr E. H. Andrews stated that on tho previous day the Minister of Education stated definitely that a Bill won’d be brought. down. The resolution was carried.

Mr H. R. Rusbridge said that the last clause of the chairman’s report bad his strongest support. It was most derivable.

The report was then adopted.