CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 12

CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

"AGE OF BUREAUCRACY."

AUCKLAND BOARD'S PROTEST.

A suggestion that the control of education in Now Zealand was a form of bureaucratic government was made at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterday, when'two matters which had been brought under the notice of the Education Department were again referred to.

Referring to the use of school buildings for electoral purposes in cases where halls could be used, the Minister of Lducation wrote stating the chief electoral officer hud advised that no further changes could now be made in the arrangements, as the list of polling places had been gazetted. • \ Mr. If. S. W. King said Uie board's protest against tho practice had been made in ample time for a change to bo made. This illustrated that tho present was an "age of bureaucracy." It was decided to enter a further protest.

The payment of subsidies on voluntary contributions to schools was the other matter. The board previously urged that statutory declaration by a school committee that certain moneys had been raised should be accepted instead of requiring the actual amount of the contributions to be forwarded to the board. The department replied that the proposed amendment could not bo introduced at present. "Only seven of the boards in New Zealand are in favour of the proposal, the remaining two wishing to continue as at present," stated the department. Tho chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said under the present arrangement of sending the actual money considerable unnecessary expense was involved. It was stated the Council of Education had also objected, but no notice had been taken of the weight of opinion offered. Mr. King: That is the point. The department takes no notice of any one but itself. Tn view of this we should express regret that the proposal cannot be agreed to. and that education cannot ho controlled in accordance with the principles of democracy This course was agreed to