A BREEZY INTERLUDE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11497, 18 April 1923, Page 5

A BREEZY INTERLUDE

MINISTER AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE. PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT DENIED. -Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 17. The Minister- for Education (the Hon, C. J. Parr) had a. few words to say about his heritage to-day, when a deputation from the Opawa School pommititee Supported by Messrs J. McCombs, H. T. Armstrong and D. G. Sullivan, M.P’s, waited on him and urged that the erection of the netv school buildings should be expedited. Mr Pari asxed Mr West, chairman of the committee: “Is your committee one of those that ha 3 raised money on its own?” • , Mr, West : “Yes! We raised £250 for your school. Mr Parr: “Get that out of your head. It is your school.” Mr West: “Yes. We raised the money.” Mr Parr: “Over 80 per cent, of it comes from the Department. Mr West: “And you get the kudos.” (Laughter.) Mr Parr: “Kudos is a good name for some of the criticism the department gets.” Later on Mr Parr; said in his terms (three and a half years) he had been able to spend roughly £1,750,000 in schcol buildings and sites. That was more than the amount spent in any previous period of twelve years. His only regret was he could not get more for the money. , Material Was very dear in that term of three and a half years.. The department has spent in the city arid suburbs of Christchurch, £58,438 on primary pub lie schools, ahd £5997 on technical schools. Mr McCombs: “That is not a fair share of the £1,250,000. Mr Parr: “Wait a minute. 4 You dob’t understand that there Was also £31,000 spent -on secondary schools and £15,000 on the University. That total of £110,733 was expended in and suburbs alone, in three and a half years.” Mr Sullivan: “What was spent on PatmeTston North schools?” ; Mr Parr gave the figures, remarking !he denied absolutely that Palmerston North had received preferential treatment, and he .added it Was utter, nonsense to say so. Mr Sullivan: “You are bard on me, Mr Parr.” —Well, I mean it. Mr McCombs: “You can rest assured the Labour members : support you whole-heartedly jin educational expenditure.” j *. Mr Parr Skid that as for expediting the work at the new School at: OpaWa it was considered that was a matter for the Education Board who had not advised urgency. Mr West: “What about shelter shedsP j ■■ Are our children to go without them; through the winter?” Mr Parr: “With regard to shelter sheds, yen certainly, ought to have them. There is no excuse, and I will see you get them. (Applause,) Mr West: “Before the winter?” Mr Parr: “Before the winter if I have to pawn my shirt. Mr West: “If you: 1 pawn yours I’ll pawn mine. We’re partners in this.” A handclasp concluded a. breezy deputation.