EDUCATION EXPENDITURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 28 October 1921, Page 7

EDUCATION EXPENDITURE

STATEMENTS BY AIINISTERS (United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This DayReplying to a deputation from the >eluiel Committees’ Eedcration the Hon 0. J Parr said tbe capital exru ndifuro was entirely in the hands ol the Minister of Binance. Expenditure on buildings had reached a total that had never been approached before, hut it had been very considerably reduced at present, and lie was not authorisimEmorc than £IOO,OOO per annum. Other expenditure was composed mainly of teachers’ salaries, so that Hero could be no> curtailment in that direction without a fleeting the tcacbns. Ho. denied a suggestion_ that :eaehors siiocially trained iu infant and kindergarten work were loiced willv nilly into standard work. Every teacher got the training spoken of. Huh teacher was allowed to decide wiiab 'branch of work lie desired in take up. He agreed that women should have a say iu the work of the department. The Prime Minister said he appreciated the good work done by school committees, but all hho propus.iL made that morning had involved expenditure, and though the Govern-' inent had proved its interest in odu'■ation bv increasing the animal voh 1 from CL3OO 000 to £3,000,00-0, the uiuntry could not go much further un tii the population increased. _ bo get through the depression they bad to :!<-ouomise, and it was just as well that all should face the position He iyas Mury to say there,' would bo no increase in eypenditiure during the present wear except in. very urgent cases. They could not go on. asthey had even iu the matter of education. There hail been a good deal of economy and retrenchment effected already, without, ■u.v fuss or trouble, and more had to come, although the Government would sec that no injustice was dune. He would not he./doing his duty if he promised'lavish expenditure; but as soon as they got back to .normal conditions no one ■would' lee more pleased MiauJi'? to do everything possible ■ for the education of tin 1 rising generation.