EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18673, 30 September 1922, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD

CONFERENCE REMITS. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. (From Odb Own Correspondent.! WELLINGTON, September 29. A deputation from the Education Boards’ Association waited upon the Minister of Education to-day to submit a number, of the remits passed at the recent conference. Mr Banks, who was the chief spokesman, deferred to the value of such meetings, and added that the discussion with the departmental officers had done them good. The mutual interchange of ideas would, ho said, have a good effect Tlie first matter brought under the Minister’s notice was the remit regarding junior high schools. The Hon. C. J. Parr said the remit, was in accordance with his policy. They should make a trial of the four different types of schools, and there could lie no general extension of the scheme unless it was proved a success. If it was successful the country would demand its extension. In reference to the suggested visit, of the Director of Education to Great Britain to investigate ’educational methods Mr Parr agreed that the idea was a good one. There had, he said, been great changes going on in the educational world, and he had an uneasy feeling that we in New Zealand were lagging behind in the experimental spirit. Tire matter of sending the Director was, however, a matter for Cabinet to decide. It was pointed out that the 10 per cent, reduction in the grant for education buildings and maintenance would fall 'heavily on tfie boards, especially as they had provided during the ■ first five months of the financial year for maintenance on the old scale. , Mr Parr agreed that there was something in that point, but the cut was not made by him, but by his masters in Parliament In view of what had been stated he would, however, submit the matter to Cabinet, and endeavour to get an additional grant placed uppn the Supplementary Estimates. Speaking generally, members of the deputation referred to the success of their conference, and their meetings with the Director of Education, and stated that as the result of all this they felt sure there would be less friction in the future between the boards and the department. Mr Parr expressed his pleasure at such an announcement. It was his desire that the educational machinery of Now Zealand, which was unique, should work as smoothly as possible. With three different bodies concerned—the school committees, the education boards, and the department—there was likely to be room for disagreement, but they wore all partners in the one concern, and as such they should endeavour to compose their differences. It would be just as unwise—indeed, foolish—for them to quarrel as it would be in the case of a business partnership 1 . It would be far better to endeavour to come to an agreement. He would be no,party to any undue interference with the duties and responsibilities of local authorities, insofar as education was concerned. At the same time, the department had its responsibilities, and he also, as Minister, had his responsibilities to Parliament, which looked to him to see that the huge vote for education was well spent. In regard to the remit 'about a continuous audit, it was stated that two auditors could do the work. Mr Parr said that would cost £IOOO a year. A Member of the Deputation: But you would save more than that. Mr Parr: If it can be shown that it will save money it shall be done. The conference had formulated a remit to the effect that it would be a retrograde step to place school buildings under the control of the Public Works Department. The boards could build cheaper. Mr Parr was inclined to agree with this, but he had noticed that there was a groat difference in the cost of schools in different districts. In one a school would cost £15,000', and m another as good or a better school would be built for £IO,OOO. It was suggested that a saving would be effected if only one member and the secretary from each board attended the conferences in future. Mr Parr agreed, and added that possibly it might not be necessary* to hold another conference next year.