CAUSE OF EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11656, 22 October 1923, Page 4

CAUSE OF EDUCATION

SOUTHLAND’S NEW HIGH SCHOOL. ADDRESS BY MR PARR. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, October 20. At a luncheon tendered by the Southland League and the Chamber of Commerce to the Hon. C. J. Parr., Minister of Education, on Saturday, speeches of welcome were given by the president of the league, Mr O’Roderlek, and the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Hoyles, who referred in a complimentary manner to the Minister’s great work for the cause of education since taking over the portfolio four years ago. Mr Hoyles expressed hope that as a Minister of the Crown Mr Parr would extend sympathy and support to any matters affecting the well-being of Southland, particularly those concerning railway and postal facilities, which at present greatly handicapped the province. Being an integral part of the Dominion, with greater opportunities for expansion than many other districts, they only asked what was fair and reasonable.

In the course of his reply Mr Parr thanked them for their hospitality. He briefly reviewed the work of the Education Department, and referred to such qpestions as the consolidation of rural schools and the giving of equnl opportunities to country children with those in the towns, the necessity for sounder education, with a view to overcoming the present tendency to drift from the country to the towns. Subsequently the Minister laid the foundation stone of the new Southland Boys’ High School, which is being erected at a cost of £35,000. Various sjeakers referred to the steady piogiess made in education in tlie district, and the Minister, in a stirring speech, commented on the necessity for secondary education to fit boys and girls for future life. Over 20,000 scholar.? were being trained in secondary schools to-day, and of those in the primary schools who gained proficiency certificates 64 per cent, took higher education.

The new building will be one of the best in the Dominion, having 10 class rooms, with all modern adjuncts and a standing area of 18 acres. The Minister will return to Dunedin by Monday afternoon’s express.