WHY ALL THE FUSS?

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1584, 9 June 1920, Page 4

WHY ALL THE FUSS?

The Chairman of the CanterburyEducation Board said because Mr Pirani had "shouted, fought, threatened and demanded" money for Palmerston schools £55,000 had been granted, whereas a modest request for a sum of £3BOO for the Cobden school, near Greymouth, had been turned down. As a matter of fact it was not Mr Pirani who "got" £43,000 (not £58,000) for the Palmerston schools. Tn the first place an indignation meeting -was promoted by* a Palmerston member of the Board. This, was followed up by a local deputation to the Minister. and then Mr Nash. M.P.. made some shrewd bargaining with the men higher up. and the long delayed work was taken in hand. What really needs explaining is, why should all this agitation and scheming, and solicitation be necessary? Education is the most essential thing in this country, and as education is rightly or wrongly under the control of a department with a Ministerial head, it is the plain duty of these public servants to find money when money is required for these purposes. Mr Pirani has rendered great services to education, and largely through his industry, initiative and vision the Wanganui Board has achieved a record second to none in the Dominion; but -when it comes to coaxing money he is not in it with our suave diplomatic M.P.