AIDED SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9927, 17 September 1895, Page 3

AIDED SCHOOLS.

TO THK EDITOU. Sir, —Please allow me space to discuss the intention of the Board of Education to make a number of aided schools, as contained in a circular dated August 8. Firstly, I say It is unfair. Secondly, it is against the spirit of the Education Act. .i,Thirdly, it will set country against town, which is pernicious. Fourthly, it is detrimental to settlement. Its unfairness appears when we consider that outside settlers pay taxes as well as other people through customs and so forth. They also pay land tax and land rents, and should not be called on tor further contributions as they have to do the hardest work for little money and small comforts. Then it is against the spirit of the Act, which was to confer on us the proud knowledge that our primary education was wholly free. An Act that specified that no fees should be payable in primary schools, also that certificated teachers were to be provided. Also, if the intention is put into effect it will set country against town, because country committees will combine to vote only for men who will support the country. I have a number of letters by me now to that effect from committees affected. But worst of all it will be detrimental to settlement. We have a great cry. Too many people in the towns ! .Why? Because they like the advantage of civilisation. Then we hear, place the people on the land! And why won't people go on the land ? Because they know that to go on the land means to give up comforts and submit to hard fare and hard work —grinding, painful burdens, and no satisfactory remuneration. And .now the Board of Education comes along, and says, "Small and uninfluential people, we will , make your burdens heavier, or else let your [ children grow up in ignorance." Now I am < not iu favour of public bodies indulging in the ' policy' of/ spend, spend, spend; aud in my public capacities' believe in being more careful of the public purse than of the private. But the intention of the Board is to allow the £3 15s required by the Act. Now the average number of children under the Board,' according to the returns, is 19,628, whioh at £3 15s per head- would be £73,605. • But the Board only spent £65,494, so it can't say it has no money. And if it be short of money, a systematic organisation of salaries and plaoiue of teachers would save majiy pounds, and ao.oo hurt. Mr. Udy said

last Tuesday, some pupils cost £8 per head. I have my eye on one school in the returns that costs £18 15s per head. Now whose fault is that ? Not the small school's fault, surely, because a similar-sized school in the same return is taught for £3 15s per head. I hope the Board will see its way clear not to enforce the aided business, as it will only mean trouble, and country committees will not rest till they get fair play, and, as I said before, 1 have a number of letters to support that; statement.—l am, etc., Wairoa South, Saml. A. Browne. September 13,