Education Economies

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6810, 17 March 1932, Page 6

Education Economies

Country Schools Will he Hit Hard MUST HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM DISCUSSION BY WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD. (Times Special.) WANGANUI, Last Night. At the request of the acting-chair-man, Mr. E. F. Hemingway, the secretary of the Wanganui Education Board, prepared a report on tho recommendations of the Economy Commission on Education. The report was read at to-day’s meeting of tho board with the object of showing the effects of the proposed recommendations. “Tho country schools arc going to be hit very hard,” said Mr. Swangcr. The report provoked considerable discussion. “I consider that no such drastic recommendations as are contained in the Economy Commission’s report should have been submitted to Parliament before evidence was taken from members of education boards. That such a thing should have been done renders it valucltss/” said Mr. Hemingway.

“Tho Government of New Zealand is forced to live within its means, in whatever direction the Government tries to make economies, tho people concerned immediately make a fuss,” said Mr. M. H. Oram. “An individual, a concern, a Government, lias an income, and has only that much to spend. The Government has only a certain amount to spend on education. There is nothing in the secretary's report but condemnation of the Government. Until we can show better methods to save money, we cannot condemn the icport. I would liko tho special report prepared by the secretary amplified by the secretary, architect and senior inspects to show' how economies otherwise than those shown by the Economy Committee, can be effected. Wo must bo helpful, not destructive,” concluded Mr. Oram.

“We arc all in a boat in heavy weather, and wo must not hinder tho people who are trying to bail out the boat,” said Mr. J. 8. Tingey. “The opinion expresesd that the proposed alterations will not effect the saving hoped for, is not yet proved.” “Because I feel that the carrying out of tho proposed economies would not help, but hinder the people of this country, I asked for this report,” said Mr Hemingway. “It will bo putting back the dock 50 years, if this is carried,” said Mr. J. Aitkcn. The secretary (Mr. Swangcr) stressed the point that he had not attempted to show any plan by which economies cculd bo effected, but merely Lie result of tho proposed economies. It was decided that a special meeting be held on Monday evening, when tl.e matter will bo thoroughly debated.