SCHOOL COMMITTEES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9718, 21 July 1917, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

FINANCIAL AID WANTED. The Minister for Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan) was waited upon yesterday by a deputation from the representatives ot the school committees which have been in conference in Wellington during the past few days. The deputation was introduced by Mr G. .Witty, M.P., who said the question at issue was that of incidental allowances. At tho present moment the school committees could not make both ends uieet, and they felt that at present education was. not free. He did nqt wish to threaten, hut if something was not done, there would he trouble. It was pointed out by tho deputation that tho cost of stationery, etc., that had to bo supplied to the. pupils had gone up in value to a tremendous extent, while the amount of tho allowance had decreased. Under present conditions the school committees could not maintain the schools. Tho deputation, therefore, asked for an additional Is 6d per head for incidentals. It was not fair to make, such heavy demands on the pockets of tho parents as were being made, and the school committees would not continue to take an interest in tho work if they were given no chance to meet their liabilities.

The total amount asked for would be from £BOOO to £12,000 a year. It was also urged that it was no part of the duty of a school committee to provide coal. That should bo a direct charge on the Government. “You have no right,” said Mr Witty, “to ask the parents to put their hands in their pockets ahd pay for things which the Government ought to provide. I think it is a disgrace to New Zealand that this is allowed.” (Hear, hear.) The Minister, in replying, said he was not fn a position to commit the Government, hut ho would bring the representations before Cabinet for its decision. In examining the accounts of the Education Boards he found a state of financial affairs which called for remedial treatment. What sum would he provided this year he was unable to say. He had already stated that boards* should be able to allot their grants to committees on a more liberal scale. Ho -was, however, prepared to consider the question of making a small additional grant to school committees.