SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 166, 16 July 1920, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

DEPUTATION 110 MINISTERS.

[Press Association.! WELLINGTOIN, July 15. Representatives from I3ie Conference of the Dominion Schools " Cbm-mitit-oeis Association interviewed the Priiao Minister and Minister foiEducation to-ciay and placed before them the Conference's resolutions.

Mr Maseey said that he was in sympathy with the requests, but he ]Jad to think of th© cost as Minister for Finance. He> knew that the Boiminion was suffering from a scarcity of teachers and the inadequacy of the school buildings. To sboiw the attitude of the Government to education he would mention that for the year ended March 31st, 1912, £1,214,327 was spoilt, while in the year ended March,- . 1920, the amount ' was £2,436,378, an increase of £1,124,-190. He thought that it was iqnito likely that the capitation paid to school committees would have to be increased. A steady increase* had already occurred, the figures for 1914 being £48,000 and for 1920 £80,000. The Minister for Education iniformed the deputation that it. might bo possible to" make a moderate' increase in the annual grant to school committees. If it was proved that larger sums wero necessary he would bo glad to back up the requests. There was m'gent need, ho agreed, as the paper shortage' was overcome for uniform school books, and as scon (the Department would give practical effect to tho proposal. He also appro/ed of th© proposal that all schools should have central walls. There was no doubt that the schools weie under-staffed, and the Department was doing its utmost; by increased salaries to make' the profession attractive. It was his ambition to get the sizes of classes down, and ho slso desired to increase tho leaving ag3 of pupils. ll© hoped to see .1400 to' 1500 young people entering the training schools next January.