FREE KINDERGARTENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21349, 25 November 1932, Page 13

FREE KINDERGARTENS

QUESTION OF SUBSIDY

ADVERSE REPORT PRESENTED

INEFFECTIVE PROTESTS MADE

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER]

WELL!KG TON, Thursduy

Numerous petitions praying for tlie continuation of the subsidy to free kindergartens have been presented to Parliament. Reporting on them to-day, the Education Committee recommended that tho requests bo referred to tho Government for favourable consideration when tiie finances of the country permitted. Some members took exception to the qualifying phrase, and an attempt was made to refer the report back to the committee for further consideration.

Mr. 11. Atmore (Independent—Nelson) said some members of the committee had felt that the latter part of die recommendation, incorporating the words "as soon as finances permit," should have been omitted. There was no reason why the Government should not assist kindergartens. Its failure to do so was caused not so much by a lack of money as by a lack of zeal. The Roman Catholic Church, -without such great resources, was maintaining its kindergartens, and bad not raised the school entrance age.

"The present Government will be distinguished for its lack of ideals in education," continued Mr. Atmore. "In these times there is need for more education, and if the Government is aware of tho facts it will realise that a shortening of the hours of labour and an increase in the length of school life will bo necessary. The Government has been badly advised in this matter, and the committee is backing up the wrong policy." Mr. P. Fraser (Labour —Wellington Central) said that in Committee a motion and an amendment were moved, and the amendment, -which urged favourable consideration of the petition without qualification, had been defeated. As far as lie could see, the intention was simply to shelve the petition. Tlio task before the committee was to decide if kindergartens were worthy of support, not. when they could be supported. Mr. IT. T. Armstrong (Labour—Christchurch Fast) thought it was overstepping the mark for the Government to take away the whole grant previously given toward the work of kindergartens, ■whilo at the same time it prevented thousands of young children from going to school at all. He urged that questions of the kind should be treated 011 a plane above party politics. He moved that the report should be referred back to the committee for further consideration. The chairman of the. committee, Mr. W. A. Bodkin, emphasised that the committee had not been influenced by party considerations at all. The ladies who had given evidence before the committee had put up a very good case, and every member agreed that the work was worthy. A majority, however, considered that the Government was financially embarrassed and that it had met the position this year by providing £SOOO from an art union. The fullest consideration had been given to the petition, and he considered it futile arid useless to refer the report back. The amendment was defeated by 37 votes to 21.

LOCAL BODY POWERS

SOME OBJECTIONS VOICED

BILL READ SECOND TIME

[BY TELEGRAPH—I'BESS association]

WELLINGTON, Thursday

The Municipal Corporations Bill was considered at the second reading stage in the House of Representatives this evennirr. M. J. Savage (Labour —Auckland West) raised objections to the clause giving councils the power to strike nonvoting electors off the rolls. He advocated a system of compulsory enrolment. Referring to the clause giving power to fill extraordinary vacancies in councils, Mr. Savage said provision should be made for the appointment of "the next on the list at the general election. He said in this way a council would be going as far as possible toward iulfilling the wish of electors.

He regretted the introduction into municipal politics of "the had practice of extending the life of governing bodies." He said this might be useful m times of political storms, but it was moving councils further away from the electors.

Mr. A. M. Samuel (GovernmentThames) and Mr. C. H. Chnkard (Government —Rotorua) stressed the necessity for the opportunity being given tn local bodies to study legislation, and welcomed the Minister's assurance that ample time would be allowed for this purpose before the Committee stage commenced in the House.

Mr. J. McCornbs (Labour —Lvttelton) protested against the second reading being taken so soon after the introduction of the bill. He said it was not reasonable to ask members to discuss a measure of over 390 clauses, and containing at least 20 important alterations to the law at such short notice. The bill was read a second time.