EDUCATION FINANCE

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1932, Page 10

EDUCATION FINANCE

SUBSIDIES TO BE DROPPED

FREE RAIL TRAVEL,

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT,

(Per Press Association.—Copyright.* PALMERSTON N., This Day.

The Government’s decisions in regard to the recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission concerning primary education were given by the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, in the course of a speech at the reopening of the Central Schools.

“One of the first recommendations of the commission is that all subsidies be cut out as a general principle for this year, i am afraid we will have to do it,’’ he said, “not because we don’t appreciate what has been done by the public in regard to the finances of schools, but because of the country’s position. The cutting out-of-the subsidy is merely of a temporary nature.

“As regaids the conveyance of ihildieu to school, regarding. which the commission recommended that the amounts should be cut down by L‘o,ooo, this would be a distinct hardship on children in the country, and it is proposed that there should be economies as far as possible without fixing an amount which may be saved. “Regarding the conveyance of postprimary children, the recommendation is that they be not carried free on the railways. The object of the Goyern.ment is to create economics, but to dispense with free facilities for secondary pupils is not a real economy, ..nd the Government has come to the conclusion that it will not accept the recommendation of the commission. All children going to secondary schools will be entitled to free railway 1 ravel as in the past. “As regards the abolition of Education Boards, no decision has been arrived at on this recommendation, because I thought it undesirable until the Primary Board and Secondary Board had an opportunity of meeting in conference and submitting their views. In the meantime the matter is held over.

Capitation Sustained. “Because of my experience of the work of school committees, I cannot accept the recommendations that there be a reduction in capitation to school committees. I appreciate the amount of special effort made .by committees, and it would be a want of encouragement if the Government did anything In the nature of reducing the capita.ion paid them.

“The commission recommended that we do away with free books in necessitous cases, but we arc not proposing ro cut out the grant that has been made previously.

“I am afraid we will have to reduce the amount for maintenance of buildings. Owing to the line work of the ?dueation boards we are able to cut ut £22,000 of the maintenance grant.

“Another recommendation was that all the sewing grants, amounting to £3OOO, be stopped for the time being. 1. think mothers will have to take a greater interest in teaching girls to sew, because I propose to cut out the grant for a year at least." In a subsequent interview, the Minister made reference to further decisions of the Cabinet. It was proposed so adopt the commission’s recommendation that primary schools boarding allowances be cut out.

In regard to small (Grade 0), primary schools, the commission recommended that these be closed, but it is proposed that each case be dealt with on its merits. Special capitation' for science classes in primary .schools is to be discontinued, and a saving of £IOOO will be made.