THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20870, 9 November 1929, Page 20

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 8. The Education Committee which is to inquire into the education system in New Zealand was empowered by the House of Representatives to sit during the recess and for 14 days after the com ineucemcnt of next session. The committee will consider all matters relating to education and public instruction generally, the training of teachers, higher education, technical education, the education and care of mentally deficient children, manual instruction, and any ether matters affecting education. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates) asked whether the committee was to be set up to formulate a policy for the Minister. "It will be remembered that in the Governor-General’s Speech an indication was given that it was the intention of the Government to set up a committee for the purpose of considering these mat-, ters which were set out at some length,” replied the Minister of Education (Sir H. Atmore). “Again in the Budget speech further reference was made t-:-the question.” It was realised by those interested in education that the time had arrived when a full inquiry should be made into the education system as it affected the needs of the country. That feeling was very prevalent in New Zealand, and as a. matter of courtesy it had been decided to allow evidence to be heard by the committee. Sir J. A. Nash (Reform member for Palmerston) asked whether teachers’ salaries would be one of the questions considered. The Slinister replied that as the teachers’ bodies intended to submit evidence it was not likely that they would overlook the question of salaries. Mr Nash: But wall salaries be one of the objects? The Minister said the order of refeionce was particularly wide and would allow of representations to be heard on that question. Mr Coates said he would like to know whether the committee would go into the question of the consolidation of country schools. _ The Minister replied in the affirmative, and added that any suggestions Mr Coates could make would be welcomed.