EDUCATIONAL VOTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 230, 28 August 1929, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL VOTE.

LITTLE HOPE OF INCREASE

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. Replying to a deputation from the New Zealand Educational Institute today, Hon. H. Atmore, Minister for Education, said that the majority of the requests involved extra cost, and, although many of themi might be expedient and equitable, it would not be possible to carry them out straight away. With regard to superannuation, he did not agree with the opinion of Hon. W. Downie Stewart that it made no difference whether the Government put its contribution into the funds or not. The Premier had stated that an inquiry would be made into the state of the funds, and no doubt that would be an actuarial one. He assured the teachers that their representations would be carefully * considered at the proper time. He did not 6ee any possibility of increasing the allowances to the school committees. The Government was faced with the necessity of making up the deficit of £577,000, plus probably £500,000,. which it would be necessary to spend to make good the earthquake damage. The education vote would not be decreased in any way, but there was-little hope of it being increased. He looked forward to being able to place the primary and secondary, schools on an equal footing in regard to the salaries paid to the headmasters. An endeavour was being made to remodel a school in each district, but it was not possible to carry out that programme and at the same time meet the requests made for new schools. When the Education Act was consolidated next vear the right of appeal would be granted. He could see no reason for withholding it, and he did not think it would be abused in any way. He agreed that it was not desirable to control the education system by means of regulations, but until the Act was consolidated it would be necessary to have a certain number of regulations to meet cases which could not be dealt with under the statute law.