ROYAL COMMISSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15004, 28 May 1912, Page 5

ROYAL COMMISSIONS.

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WIDE ORDER OF REFERENCE.

A REPORT FOR PARLIAMENT.

[by TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. The third Royal Commission promised by the Government, to inquire into " certain matters relating to the system of education," lias been constituted as under: Messrs. Mark Cohen (chairman, Dunedin), William Davidson (Dunedin), James Robt. Kirk (Gisborne), Fredk. Pixani (Feilding), Hugh Poland, M.P.' (Paeroa), John C. Thomson, M.P. (Riverton), and Thomas U. Wells, M.A. (Auckland). The order of reference of the Commission is as follows :— 1. The cost of State education in respect to primary, manual, technical, and secondary education, and its relation to efficiency. 2. The administration of the central department. 3. The- powers and rights possessed respectively by education boards and other local educational authorities, and whether they should be extended. 4. The- expenditure on manual and technical instruction, and tho question of local responsibility in regard to providing a portion of the funds thorefor. 5. The amalgamation of local, governing, or controlling bodies. 6. Overlapping and duplication. 7. The finance of education boards, high school, and manual and technical governing bodies. > 8. Agricultural instruction and rural courses. 9. In what respects school instruction can bo improved and mad© of more practical valuo in equipping pupils for their future careers. 10. Scholarships and free places. What changes, if any, should bo made in this • coprutftion ? 11". Ayd generally in what respects imcan, be made to secure higher efficiency, better administration, and coordination, and\)io securing of greater value for the annua'! .expenditure on the branches of education above referred to. The Commission is authored and empowered to conduct inquiries at 'Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, and is to report not later than June 25 next. Mr. Mark .Cohen is editor of tho Dunedin Star, and has for many years made a close study of the education question. - Mr. Davidson, is headmaster of the Mornington school, and has been president of the N-iW Zealand Educational Institute. Mr. J. R. Kirk has for a long time been a member of the Gisborno High School Board and connected with school committee in that district. Mr. Poland is the member for Ohinemuri and an ex-teacher. Mr. J. C. Thomson is also an ex-teacher and is the member for Wallace. Mr. Pirani is chairman of tho Wangaaui Education Board, and has for many years taken a prominent part in education matters. Mr. Wells takes a great interest in, technical education and university work. He is headmaster of Richmouu Road school, Ponsouby. COST OF LIVING COMMISSION. WHY -NO WOMAN MEMBER? . [by TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent.] Christchhrch, Monday. Referring to the Cost of Living Commission, the Lyttelton Times remarks: "The only fault we are inclined to find with tho Commission .is that it has not a woman among its members to assist the mere men in giving a practical application to the information they will gather. It is tho experienced housewife after all that knows most about the cost of living, as it affects the intimate details of the home." The Star, a commercial journal, referring to the fact that the Commission has to report by Juno 25, says: "No sane man would seriously attempt to cover the ground in a month. If the inquiry is to do anything but a eham or a farce tUe Commission will find itself exclusively occupied with the investigation for at least a year." REPORTS FOR PARLIAMENT. THREE ROYAL COMMISSIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. Tho fact that each of the three Royal Commissions appointed Cost of Living, Education, and Civil Servicehas to report by June 25, was brought tinder the notice of the Prime Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie) to-day. "A Royal Commission," he said in reply, " can always apply for an exten- : sion of time. Further, in connection with some of the Commissions, I cquld not have secured the services of some of the high type of men I was in quest of had they thought the inquiry was to be a prolonged undertaking. Tho public will bo surprised, too, in connection with the Civil Service Commission, to find how quickly capable business men can got into the kernel of questions brought before them. The members of the Civil Service Commission are of a type,not to be picked up at every street corner. They are busily engaged in the great activities of life, controlling large commercial undertakings, and can only spare a limited amount of their valuable time in doing the work they are called upon to do. "Besides this," added the Prime Minister, "we want to get at the real position Of some of the matters that are to be inquired into, and if possible give effect at an early date to any reforms that may be recommended. The public have been calling out for much, and now tho first step that the Government has taken seems to be challenged. One would suppose that the Government did not realise the difficulties that are pointed out so generously, or realise the responsibilities attaching to tho step we have taken. As a matter of fact we are fully alive to all of them."