SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

DOMINION FEDERATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE. {Pa United Pbebs Association.) TIMARU, August 28. The first annual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Associations was opened to-day, a large number of delegates being present. In his presidential address Mr J. W. Preen, of Timaru, said the executive had had a strenuous time in that, it had had to blaze a trail, and being so involved in the activities of its own business it perhaps had not accomplished as. much, as it would have liked. . As a result of the views put before the Minister of Education by the last conference deputation, the Minister had seen fit to make two substantial grants to education boards for the maintenance of school buildings, while the boarding allowances country pupils bad greatly helped those who lived away from borne to take advantage of the facilities for secondary education. It was regrettable that the Minister did not procure the passage of the Bill dealing with the life of school committees by omitting the most essential part in that “part only ” should retire. The president also suggested that gatherings should be held biennially on the score of expense to committees. During the afternoon the delegates were accorded a civic reception by the Deputy Mayor (Mr G. Benstead) in the absence of the Mayor. The conference agreed to the following remits:— South Taranaki: —“ That in view of the changes in the federation headquarters a strong, vigilant and advisory committee be maintained: in Wellington, to act in conjunction. with the Dominion Executive.” .'' ; : • . The conference strongly opposed . the further establishment .of intermediate schools as it was considered that the pressing needs of primary schools, should first be satisfied. . ; : ' > • The conference agreed to a Wellington remit urging an amendment of the staffing regulations and the: reclassification, of teachers to receive promotion in their own schools without the necessity for transfer. It was also decided to make an urgent appeal to the Minister of Health for a travelling - dental clinic’s services fhr country districts.