AUSTRALIAN METHODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN METHODS.

A COMPARISON OF COSTS.

DISCREPANCY IN FIGURES DIRECTORS AT VARIANCE. The futility of citing figures relating to the relative costs of education in Australia and New Zealand was emphasised bv the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. A. Burns, in his statement on the administrative changes proposed by the Parliamentary Education Committee.

In support of the assertion that centralised control would be more economical, said Mr. Burns, tho Director of Education, Mr. T. B. Strong, had submitted a table of comparative administration costs in Australia and New Zealand.. "This shows that in New South Wales (he cost per pupil is 5s 4d, in Victoria 4s, in Queensland 4s Id, while in New Zealand the cost is 9s 2d per pupil," continued Mr. Burns. "The figures are given to prove that the centralised system of Australia is cheaper than the local system in New Zealand.

"It is not shown from what source the figures for New South Wales are obtained or what details are included, but in the report of the Minister of Public Instruction for New South Wales for 1925 (the only one available at present) the cost is given as 9s 4d per pupil, while in another publication in 1927 the cost is given as 9s. \\ ho is more likely to be correctMr. Strong or the New South Wales Education Department? Mr. Strong may be in possession of some further information and be able to explain this discrepancy, to the committee, but until he does so there will remain a doubt as to the accuracy of all his figures.

Iho report states, 'As a remedy for this state of affairs (excessive administration costs) Mr. Strong proposed tha abolition of all existing boards—and the reorganisation of the service upon ths Australian model—that is a completely centralised department.' It is strange that in a democratic country the director advocates such a course, and stranger still that he should advocate it when educational thinkers in Australia have arrived at the conclusion that the administration system should be decentralised.

Last year the New South Wales Minister of Education visited New Zealand, and on his return it was reported under date May 1 that he stated in connection with education, 'New Zealand has a number of fine ports along the coast, and with exceptional diffusion ol the population throughout the country and its many progressive cities and provincial towns New Zealand provides a striking contrast with New South Wales, where decentralisation is long overdue.' Surely Mr. Strong s proposal would be a retrograd# step." EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. MEMBERS GRATIFIED. " ADVANCE FORESHADOWED." [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday. A number of further congratulatory, telegrams have been received by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, on the recommendations contained in th« report of the recesg Education Committee.

The secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute states: —"I have been directed to express to you the gratification with which the executive views the great advance in education which therecommendations of the committee foreshadow."

Hie following telegram was received from Mr. Strachan, headmaster of the Rangiora District High School, the work of which is highly commended in the report"Congratulations on the splendid report, which should commend itself to all who welcome a courageous facing of the facts." The chairman of the board of the Rangiora High School telegraphed"Warm congratulations on the report. I hope to see it materialise." "The report, :f one can judge from the newspaper reports, should justify Mr. Atmore's delay," writes Professor j. M. E. Garrow. late professor of New Zealand Law at Victoria University College. "It appears likely to stand as the most important report of the kind ever mada in New Zealand and the committee deserves our gratitude for its painstakintr labours." In a letter to Mr. G. C. Black, M.P. (United —Motueka), a member of tha committee, the rector of St. Bede's College (Christchurch) remarks that tho committee has certainly put in some good work during the recess and that much good will come from such a comprehensive report.