CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 8

CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

MR. MASTERS' APPOINTMENT, CONSTITUTIONAL DIFFICULTY.. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLIXGTON", Friday. Some comment has been aroused in Parliamentaiy circles by the fact that the administration of two important porfolios, including Education, has passed into the hands of a member of the Legislative Council, and the action of the Frime Minister in choosing the Hon. R. Masters as Minister of Education and Minister of Industries and Commerce was criticised in certain quarters.

There is a precedent for the appointment, although in a previous instance the Prime Minister's decision was reversed by the decision of the House of Representatives. The Education portfolio was

held by tlic Hon. William Campbell Walker, a member of the Legislative Council, from May, 1896, to June, 1903, when it was transferred to the House of Representatives by direct vote. On August 12, 1902, when the education estimates were being considered in committee, Mr. H. G. Ell, Christchurch city member, moved that the vote be reduced by £1 as an indication that the Minister of Education should be a member of the House. The discussion which followed indicated a certain dissatisfaction with an important portfolio not being held by a member of the House and the amendment was carried by 21 votes to 19. Among the names which appear in the division list supporting the amendment are Messrs. Ell, Fowlds, • Lang, Massey, Sidey, G. J. Smith, J. W. Thomson and Wilford.

Apart from any constitutional embarrassment, however, there is general satisfaction at the choice of Mr. Masters for the Education portfolio, particularly in view of Itis previously expressed willingness to make substantial inroads into the annual vote for this service, which now reaches £4,500,000. CURTAILING EXPENDITURE. PROBLEM TO BE FACED. [from our own correspondent.] WAIUKU, Friday. Reference to the need for curtailing the Education vote was made by Mr. J. N. Massey, M.l\, at the official opening of the Kariaotahi school, Waiuku, to-day. Mr. Massey mentioned that the vote in 1929 was £4,500,000, making the average expenditure per head of population on education £2 15s Id. However, in Victoria, the expenditure was only £1 10s lOd per head, and in New South Wales £2 2s Bd. The figures in the other Australian States ranged from £1 lis 7d to £1 19s lid. With the price of produce 14 per cent, below pre-war level New Zealand would have to face curtailment.