FREE PLACES IN SCHOOLS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10237, 28 August 1909, Page 1

FREE PLACES IN SCHOOLS.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, August 27. The importance of the question of the admission of free-place pupils to the Wellington Girls' College, which has been refused by the Board of Governors, was settled to-day. A deputation of citizens attended to make representations, but the Board decided to discuss the question before receiving the deputation. The. Chairman (Mr A. do B. Brandon) moved resolutions to admit free-place girls at the Boys' College, and to appoint a female teacher. The Hon. Dr Findlay moved an amendment >that the Board agree to receive free-place girls at the Girls' College to the extent of any existing vacant accommodation, and of any further accommodation provided by the Government under section 10 of the Education Act, 1908. The amendment was carried, and the deputation was informed that their wishes had been acceded to. Subsequently, when the Board was in committee, it was understood that Mr Brandon resigned the Chairmanship of the. Board.

In the course of a discussion, Dr Findlay said that the spirit of the legislation, as he understood it, was that it would be,another step towards the removal of class distinction which, everv democracy attempted to get rid of. If the ,Board would adopt his nmenrlm-'.nt the Government would provide all further accommodation which might be necessary. This matter of the Government giving higher education to the most promising children of -the p ior<--r people was one of the cardinal aims of the Government. Mr Brandon said he regretted Dr Findlay's remarks. There were cert.i-n members of the community who had their own traditions, and no amount of democracy would wipe out those traditions. In his opinion the stability of any nation depended not upon the mere extent, of its education, but absolutely upon its traditions and the traditions of family. Do away with those traditions, and they had a mere struggle for existence —no nation and no family.