A Deputation to the Minister for Education.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6330, 10 August 1895, Page 1

A Deputation to the Minister for Education.

(BY TELEGBAFH.) Wellington, Augusb 9. A deputation from the Education Conference waited upon the Minister of Education this evening. Mr Blair, as chairman, introduced the deputation, 'and brought under the Minister's notice the resolutions carried by the Conference. He urged that something in the direction of technical education should be done this year, otherwise the good results of the Conference would be considerably diminished.

Mr Blair (explained the resolutions separately. » Mr Bridge (Wanganui) spoke as to the distribution of the building grant and the claims of the various districts. The Conference, representing both large and small boards, agreed that there should be a more equitable distribution. Dr Newman said the Conference was very anxious that the Minister's own Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Bill of 1892 should become law this s.ession. They thought it would settle the difficulty for many years to come. The friends of the conference ill Parliament would assist the Minister as nauch as possible. Mr Reeves, in reply, acknowledged the importance and representative character of the deputation, still he thought it a pity that official information was not given to' the Minister, or to the permanent head of the department, neither was any sort of invitation extended to him to be present at the Conference. Cooperation between Ministers or the permanent heads of the department was very desirable in the interests of education. He (Mr Reeves) had to depend for his information as to the proceedings upon short reports in the newspapers. Ho was glad to see that public opinion had now come up to his Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Bill. However, it was a question of funds, and he could only matter before the Cabinet, and hoped for a favorable answer. There was nothing in the Act to prevent the kindergarten system being applied as suggested. The regulation only dealt with results, not methods. He concurred with those who urged the claims of the kindergarten. If there were any difficulties by reason of the regulations he would help to have them removed. He must tell them frankly that he would not give them any help as regards continuation schools. All the money available was required for ordinary education purposes. Besides he was opposed to the system on principle, if it would tempt children from ordinary schools. The distribution of the building grant was evidently a burning question at the Conference. He was glad to see that this system was generally approved of.«. There were other things to be considered besides the progress of settlement. He would be prepared to consider fully any information supplied from the different boards. If one districtobtained a larger grant one year that, would have to be considered in making grants tne following year. Mr Reeves admitted that legislation was necessary to prevent minors from voting in the mining districts. He favorably regarded the introduction of the decimal notation, and, if adopted by the rest of the empire, New Zealand would not be found to stand in the way. He did not think legislation was necessary to give boards power to adopt a uniform system throughout the colony in the appointment of teachers. He had no intention of working the Act in any narrow spirit. Returning to the question of the building grant and the principle of its distribution, he said it was in reality a question of the funds available. They had at present to make L 45.000 do when about L 60,000 was necessary. However, he could not propose to increase the vote, but hoped with the assistance of the members present-te induce Parliament to keep to the grant of L 45,000. Before the delegation withdrew they assured the Minister that they had no intention to act discourteously to him by not inviting him to be present at their deliberations. They would have been pleased to have him with them, but feared, as Parliament was sitting, he could not spare time. The Minister courteously stated that he was quite satisfied with the explanation, and the deputation withdrew after thanking Mr Reeves for his •kindness.