EDUCATION BOARDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 306, 24 November 1932, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARDS

COST TO THE COUNTRY. Mr E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, when speaking at the opening of tire new section of the baths at the Hokowhitu School, yesterday afternoon, commented upon the proposal to abolish education boards. He pointed out that theirs was a valuable, ana mot over-expensive, contribution to the country’s welfare. “I notice by a report of the Minister of Education that £3,500,000 was spent last year on elementary education, whereas less than £1,000,000 was spent in 1914. A good many think that the increase is due to the education boards, but I will say they have had nothing to do with the increase, said Mr Hemingway. “Out of that, only £34,000 has been spent by them in all, which, it must be admitted, is very little. The Counmission suggested that £50,000 would be saved by abolishing the boards, but I fail to see where this happens. It is absurd on the face of it. A great deal of the work is done freely, and ungrudgingly by members and at no cost to the country. “You cannot measure the value of education in pounds, shillings and pence.” Mr Hemingway declared adding that it was worse than folly to sacrifice the children of the Dominion on the altar of economy for the sake of.political expediency. Mr Hemingway said he was more than surprised that the National Expenditure Commission should have made recommendations with regard to the abolition of education boards without hearing the evidence of one single member of an education board. x