M.H.R.'s on Education. Boards.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 82, 9 January 1896, Page 2

M.H.R.'s on Education . Boards.

ME T, MACKENZIE'S OPINION. At tha close of bis address to his con--s'"uapt»: at Waiwera Jan Saturday evening. Mr T. Mackenzie, Mittß., was asfied by Bir ■ Anderson it the fact of a member of Parliament bailiff a. member of the Education Board wan not a disadvantage, to the Education Board. Mr Mackenzie, in xeply.'said there were advantages and disadvanfctfes, . but after carefully considering the matter, he had concluded that -the ad vantages outweighed the disadvantages. He did not con- ' .aider it required nine members to do the work of the Bbard. . The moat important work of tha colony jvas transacted, by a Cabinet of seven members. Bmk directors, land boards etc., managed with five members, so that if the six members of the Education Board remaining during tne session could not do the w-rk, they certainly paid themselves a poor compliment. Members in Wellington were always willing to come south and attend if business of importance required it. Then there was something to be laid from an economic point of view. The lessened cost to the board through country members of Parliament being on the board was considerable, and the savings went a gcod way towards assisting struggling schools. But the great feature in favor of members of Parliament being members of the Education Board was the advantage of being in touch with the practical working of the education system, and being able in - Parliament to voice what was necessary. Every year legislation was introduced dealing with educational work. Last year they bad the ' Teachers' Court of ' Appeal Bill and the Teohnicol Education Bill, The Otigo Boird was also represented free of- outlay at the Education Conference. "s It therefore appeared to him to be a distinct advantage to Otago to have two members in the Lower House and the Hon. Mr MacGregor in the Upper HouseT .'-•-. .