PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY S SITTING. CLOSING OF TRAINING COLLEGES OPPOSED BY COMMITTEE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. Tlie House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. Mr W. A. Bodkin presented the report of the Education Committee on the Otago Education Board’s petition that the f>ur training colleges be retained. The committee expressed the opinion that there should be greater co-operation on the part of education organisations in relation to tho training of teachers so as to avoid, as far as possible, duplication of staffs and courses, and there should bo closer co-operation, between the Education Department, education boards and university colleges. Directing attention to the recommendation of the 193 D Parliamentary Committee on Education, that training colleges and staffs be handed over to the control of the University authorities, and that general lecturers 60 handed over be utilised to reduce the size of classes in the University arts and science departments, the committee recommended this portion of the 1931 Committee’s report to the Government for favourable consideration. Mr H. Atmore, formerly,. Minister of Education, said the- committee’s recommendation had been a unanimous one. Ho said it would not be economy to close two of the training colleges. Tho evidence placed before tho committee showed that such a courso would inflict a grave injustice on the young people of Wellington and Dunedin. The allowances had been reduced and the children of the poorer families would not be able to afford to attend training colleges in other centres. Evidence had also been presented to show that a great number of tho Dominion’s most successful teachers had como from the poorer homes. Mr Atmore described the committee’s recommendation as most satisfactory and said lie hoped it was not yet too late for the Government to retrace its steps and rescind the decision to close the colleges mentioned. Rev. C. Carr supported tlie committee’s recommendation. He said great advantage could be obtained by training teachers in a university atmosphere and in association with those at the top of the educational tree.

Messrs R. A. Wright, F. Jones, J. W. Munro and' J. A. Macpherson also expressed appreciation of the committee’s recommendation. Mr Jones drew attention to the suggestion of the Otago Education Board involving a scheme to retain the four colleges and at the same time save £17.000 annually, whereas the doting of tho two colleges would result in a saving of only £14,000. Mr S. G. Smith said, there were 700 unemployed teachers at present and 581 would pass out of the training colleges this year, with the result that at the beginning of next year there would be 1200 trained teachers without any occupation.

Mr P. Fraser said the position in respect to unemployed teachers had been accentuated as a result of raising the school admission age. He pointed out that a reduction in the size of classes, which had long been recommended, would assist tho position.

Several other members spoke in support of the committee’s recommendation.

The report was adopted. Similar reports on other petitions bearing on the same subject were also adopted.

FIRE INSURANCE PREAIIUAIS. Air C. H. Clinkard asked whether, in view of the prevailing conditions, the Government would take into consideration the necessity for a drastic reduction in all insurance premiums. He said that, according to the official Year Book, during the years 1920 to 1929 forty-two separate companies were doing fire insurance business in New Zealand and the forty-two had received in premiums £18,401,000, and their fire losses had been £9,491,000. During tire period 1921 to 1930 the State Fire Office had added £526,000 to its assets.

Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata said the only office in recent years to show results justifying a reduction in premiums was the State Fire Office. The results achieved by the other offices throughout New Zealand did not come up to those of this office. The average profits of private companies on dwelling risks was a little over 8 per cent, and the profits of the State Office were a little better than that. In regard to trade risks, there was no margin to justify reduced premiums. It was his intention to get the figures in detail and submit them to Cabinet.

SPEED IN HARBOURS. Replying to Mr A. Harris, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Marine, said that with a view to taking such steps as might be necessary, an investigation would be made into the suggestion that the speed of overseas vessels in the Auckland harbour should be regulated to eliminate danger to ferry boats, small craft and bathers.