EDUCATION RESERVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15097, 13 September 1912, Page 8

EDUCATION RESERVES.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

TOWN LANDS PREFERRED.

[UT TELEGRAM!.—SI'ECJAr,' CORRESPONDENT.

Wellington, Thursday.. The views of the Government regarding the reservation of poor rural lands as education endowments were given by the Minister for Finance (Hon. "James Alien) in the House of Representatives this evening during the debate on the second reading of the Auckland Education Reserves Bill:

Several Opposition members attempted to draw the Minister' by statements that the Government would sell the endowments. Some attention was given to these criticisms by Mr. Allen in his reply to tho debate.

"I believe it is much wiser," lie said, "to set aside town and suburban lands for educational endowments.'

Mr. Ell (Christchurch South) : You have power under the present laws —so exercise it.

Mr. Allen: We are going to exercise it. You were three months in office. Did you exercise a single stroke of the pen 'o do it I know of no single step that has been taken by the Ministry that lias just gono out of office in this direction. Mr. Ell: You opposed it. Mr. Allen: The setting aside of Crown lands? Mr. Ell: Yes. Tho Minister denied this statement. Mr. Russell (Avon) : In the Budget it says no alteration is to be made. Tho Minister: I assure you an alteration will bo maue. Mr. Russell: You are going back on the Budget already. Tho Minister: We are going to get endowment lands if wo can that are going to increase in value much more rapidly than the present ones.