FOA SCHOOL BOOKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10950, 12 July 1921, Page 5

FOA SCHOOL BOOKS

STATEMENTS BY TRADE REFUTED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION. SOME POINTED REMARKS. The question ol whether school children should hare free school books—which has been before the public fairly frequently of late—was again discussed at last night’s meeting of the Wellington School Committees’ Association, held in the Education Board’s room. In opening the subject, the chairman (Mr A. J. Whyte) stated that there had been two deputations—one' to the Chamber of Commerce, and one to the Minister for Education. In both instances they were from the booksellers. -'lt is significant,” said the speaker, ‘‘that the statement made to the Chamber of Commerce was not made to the Minister. ... I have it from some small shopkeepers that they hare not been assisted by the larger firms. One of the speakers at the first deputation told me that he would be pleased if the hoard would take over his supplies, as they did not pay. Why this death-bed repentance? They say that their gross profit is not over 20 per cent. Perhaps they would like us to believe the statement, but I have it on good authority 'that they make 35 per cent, to 50 per cent, profit.” “FREE CLOTHES?” In speaking of free clothes, Mr Whyte said thai thegjposaibility of having free clothes was, as the Minister had very ably put it —nonsense. In fact, it was camouflage. “I wonder uould the booksellers tell u» of any Other State institution where tho workrhave to supply their own material? not, why should the parents be expected to supply the State schools with materials to work with?” continued the Speaker. We have often heard 'that New Zealand Wads in progressive legislation, but education is at least 30 years behind England. Education in England is “free,” but in New Zealand the parent is directly taxed. . . . “In December, 1019, every candidate for Parliament was asked the question: 'Will you support the proposal to supply all school requisites free?’ The result is that 45 members of the present Parliament have agreed to support the proposal.” SOME FIGURES. “Regarding the cost,” said Mi Whyte, “booksellers hove at last admitted that our estimate of 10s per child per annum is correct. Taking 177,000 at 10s, and? it gives you £93, - 800, and 1,200.000 at Is fid and it gives you £90,000, so that a family consisting of mother, father, and four children under direct taxation would pay 8a per annum against the present coat of £2 per annum. Who would object tp this small charge ? I venture to say that very few indeed would object. The result would be of immense benefit tp the thousands of parents who are more entitled to every consideration.” Mr Whyte (moved the following motion: "That this association, representing the school committees of Wellington, congratulates the Minister for Education on his definite statement that he was prepared tq do alt in bis power to help reduce the cost of schooling in the Dominion.” Mr Wallace seconded, and the motion was carried. ' “FREE” TO THE POOR. ConoiUor J. O. Shorlaod said that there was. absolutely no necessity for snyone in' poor circumstances to pay fee their children's educational reauisit—■ It wga only necessary that the headmaster of the school make a statement to the authorities certifying to the applicant’s hona fides. Mrs Snpw considered that no one bore the hrurft of having to pay for her children’s school hooks more than the widow. It was disgraceful that such a state of affairs was allowed to exist. Besides that fact, the very action of having to appeal to. the authorities for free books was a delicate enough business for anyone, but more especially when the task fell to the lot of a struggling widow.