EDUCATION BOARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9740, 16 August 1917, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARDS

CHANGES IN ELECTORAL SYSTEM. STATEMENT BY HON. J. A. HANAN. Replying yesterday afternoon to a deputation of Canterbury, members who represented to him the anomalous position of representation on tho Canterbury Education Board, a very large area of North Canterbury having no direct representation on the board, tbo Minister for Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) stated that he had had the matter under consideration for some time, and he recognised that something should bo done. He had been considering the question with the view of increasing the wards of rural areas in large districts like Canterbury. Tho Council of Education had considered the matter and made certain recommendations. They recommended that urban, areas with a population of from 8000 to 16,000 should return ono member, those with a population of from 16.000 to 32,000 should return two members, those with populations between 32,000 and 64,000 should return three members, and over 64.000 four members. It was recommended that the rural areas be divided into wards each returning two members, areas with populations of over 40.000 to comprise two wards, those from 40.000 to 80,000 to comprise three wards, and over 80,000 four wards. Mr Hanan said he did not know whether the opportunity would be given to bim by the Government to bring forward legislation with a view of amending the Education Act to remedy such matters as that brought under his notice. However, ho would make representations to Cabinet with such object in view, and ho would report to them the strong facta the deputation had. laid before him in order to have something done to place matters on a proper footing. Ho did say there was need for revision in the direction of having an improvement made to the Act.