SCHOOL FEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 142, 20 May 1925, Page 2

SCHOOL FEES

ACTION OF DEPARTMENT,

CRITICISED BY HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD. Comment on tho action of tho Education Department in regard to school tuition fees was made at last night’s meeting of tho High Schools Board of Governors on tho reading of a letter from Dr Marsden, assistant-Director of Education. Tho communication in question stated that, owing to the curtailment of the session by reason of the epidemic, it had been derided not to charge tho full annual school fees to paying pupils in 1925. In general, tho school year had been reduced from 40 to 33 weeks, but pupils had, in most cases, the benefit of tuition by correspondence during tho early part of the session. Tho department held, therefore, fixed the total annual school tuition fees for 1925 at £lO 6s, reduciblo to £9 for prompt payment. Mr W. F. Durward pointed out that the matter wfls governed by Act of Parliament. Tho Education Department had no right to interfere with the board and, as a protest, he moved that tho communication lay on the table. In reply to tho chairman, Mr J. A. Nosh, M.P., tho rector of the Boys’ High School, Mr J. Murray, M.A. t stated that tlieso tuition fees were tho same throughout tho Dominion. Mr Durward further commented that the department was butting in on something that was not its business and that it had no right to interfere. Mr W. R. Birnie seconded tho motion, supporting Mr Durward’s protest. “Thero is no need to bo discourteous to the department-,” said Mr M. 11. Oram in moving an amendment that tho letter bo received. Mr Hodder seconded the amendment, Mr Durward stated that half the department’s regulations were illegal. “I object to them interfering with matters they have nothing to do with.” The amendment was then put to the meeting and carried on the voices. Mr Durward asked that a show of hands bo taken.

On this being done, tho voting was four to three in favour of tho letter being received.

Mr J. W. Rutherfurd, who had not voted, on being asked by the chairman why ho had not dono so, stated that ho had refrained owing to his not being conversant with the financial aspect of the matter. He desired to know whether tho revenue of the board would bo affected.

Mr Durward : It will not make any difference.

The board then proceeded with the nextbusiness, Mr Durward filially commenting that thero was never a meeting at which some interference was not received from the department.