TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9716, 19 July 1917, Page 3

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

STATE AID TfANTED. The Minister for Education was asked by Dr Thacker (member for Christa church East) i “What additional provision ho intends to make this session to reasonably meet the . strong growing dissatisfaction with tho inadequate financial assistance given by tho Government to tho technical schools, tho valuable work of which is being seriously handicapped for want of reasonable financial aid.” In his reply the Minister states: — "As the member for Christchurch East does not in his question refer to any specific instances of inadequate financial assistance given by the Government to technical schools. I must assume that he is under tho impression that the schools as a whole stand in urgent need of -additional financial assistance at the hands of the Government. It may interest tho honourable gentleman to know that the financial returns for the year 1916 furnished by controlling authorities and Technical School Boards indicate that the total monetary assets as at December 31st, 1:916, is considerably in excess of the total liabilities. The presumption is that tho funds at tho disposal of the school authorities, if wisely administered, are reasonably sufficient for the purpose. I am fully seized of tho importance and value to the community of vocational and technical training and also of tho necessity for extending and improving tho existing facilities for such training, so, as to bring them within roach of ns many of our young people as possible. With this end in view certain, proposals aro under consideration.” ...