SCHOOL TEXT-BOOKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21345, 21 November 1932, Page 11

SCHOOL TEXT-BOOKS

EXTENSION OF CONTRACT

COMMITTEES DISSATISFIED

REPLY TO THE MINISTER

Speaking on behalf of tho Auckland Primary School Committees' Association and tho conference of New Zealand school committees, Mr. Alfred Roberts has furnished a reply to the remarks of the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, before a deputation in Wellington last Wednesday in support of his action in extending the arrangement for the publishing of school text-books. -"From the voluminous nature of his prepared reply it is evident," said Mr. Roberts, "that the Minister realised he would be hard put to it satisfactorily to explain an arrangement which lias caused such widespread dissatisfaction. The Minister, however, has adduced nothing new and, in effect, he has but again tried unsuccessfully (o close discussion on this vital matter in the same way, and with tho same arguments, as he endeavoured to do in Auckland as far back as September last. Quito the contrary of being convinced by the reiteration by the Minister of his explanation, the school committees are still unconvinced and are more than ever united in their intention to pursue the subject to a satisfactory and equitable conclusion."

Advice ol Printers Referring to the Minister's statement that tho whole movement was inspired by the master printers, Mr. Roberts said such a statement was quite unfair and a poor tribute to the intelligence of the many bodies of educationists and others which were interested in the matter. It was true the school committees had referred to tho master printers for expert advice in just the same way as the Minister had naturally leaned upon the publishers for information necessary to the preparation of his case.

The school committees were quite conversant with the figures submitted to the National Expenditure Commission and used also by the Minister, but it was plain that the Minister had confused the issue by comparing his extension relating to books already in type with the cost of an entirely fresh series. The statement to the commission clearly indicated that an extension would warrant a reduction of not less than 35 per cent—a saving over five years of £72,765, as compared with the saving of £46,780 claimed by the Minister. This greater saving was based upon the then existing discounts to distributors of 25 per cent and 2£ per cent, whereas to-day these have been reduced to 15 per cent net. In effect, the publishers are bearing only 9.04 per cent of the per cent reduction accepted by the Minister. Locally-Produced Books "As has been pointed out before," said Mr. Roberts, "it is idle for the Minister to claim credit for any reduction brought about when, in fact, it emanated from the National Expenditure Commission. The statement that all books on the authorised list were subject to the reduction of per cent is incorrect. "Exclusive of the copy books, there are 40 locally-produced books on the authorised list, and of these only 27 have been reduced in price. Those not reduced include the Live Reader Series—--11 books—which sell throughout the whole year, whereas the books of the standards are mainly bought at the commencement of the school year. The Minister's reference to Beacon Readers, produced in England, cannot be permitted to cloud the issue with respect to 13 of the books, and 10 copy books published locally, which have not been reduced in price.

"It is noted that tlio present prices to which parents have been committed by the Minister down to the end of 1937 will not be raised through alteration in the rate of exchange or nn increase in customs duties. It is more significant, however. that no mention is made of wage reductions or other lowered costs of manufacture. Already the Arbitration Court's general order reducing wages by 10 per cent lias applied, and it is understood that very recently arrangements were concluded for a further reduction of 5 per cent on wages paid in the printing industry, so that taking into consideration these two wage cuts, and also the reduced discounts to distributors, it is apparent that the publishers are now on a more favourable footing than they were in 1929, the original year of the present series of books. Forward buying oil this basis is incomprehensible and, despite the Minister's opinion, quite unbusinesslike. Unsuitability of Books

"In spite of the wealth of evidence in affirmation the insufficiency and unsuitability of many of the books have been ignored by the Minister who, in addition, has failed to explain away the definitely inferior quality and durability of the present books as compared with the former series.

"The school committees," said Mr. Roberts, '-are definitely of opinion that owing to their unsuitability some of the books at least will have to be rewritten and printed within the period of the present, extension, and on behalf of the parents. as buyers, they seek assurance from the Minister that the books will be provided from manuscript owned by the department, and printed and published under a condition of open tender so as to ensure that they will reach parents at Hie lowest possible cost. In his reply no reference was made by the Minister as to his having saved £2150, or 39 per cent', by securing the printing of the School Journal under competitive tenders."