SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10562, 13 April 1920, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

HINDERS SCHOOL BUILDING. "CLAIMS OF CHILDREN COME ' first.''"': ■;'",""""' PEE PItESS ASSOCIATION. HASTINGS, April 12. The Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Education, in formally opening the now Hastings iilast School, dwelt on the importance of education and the need for sufficient school accommodation. Th:e led him to speak of the shortage of labour and supplies hindering the building of schools. He said that if in any district it was a question whether ,-a shop should be erected or whether tho construction of it school should bo pro-> cecded with, the shop should give way to the school. He was going to urge in. Parliament that- tho claims of the children should come first. He could not accept the position that tho building of schools should be put' aside for private interests. He appealed to builders and contractors to give preference to school contracts. The construction of schools should be placed on tho same level with the construction of workers' dwellings. The Minister, in congratulating the parents of the - scholars attending the now -school, warned them against paying the exorbitant prices now asked for land. He quoted the case of a dairy farm in another d'strict having recently been purchased for £IOO per acre, and this had no Jess than seven mortgages inscribed on its title deeds. People should not lose their senses because of the high" prices ruling for produce. It was th<* same, he said, after every war. He expressed the hope that people would remember this. . and refrain from 'indulging inreckless land speculation and endangering ihe progress of a.prosperous district.