BUILDING MATERIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 6

BUILDING MATERIAL

Sir, —I am in sympathy with " Riled ” in his letter concerning building material. I move up and down Melbourne street in my daily routine, and I wonder in envy where all the material is coming from to build such a magnificent school -building. I am told that nothing but the very best of material is being used, did enough glass for use in very many houses, which are very badly required. Yet I received a flat refusal when I applied for a little concrete for my footpaths. Our Prime Minister was recently reported to have said that he favoured private schools. Well, if his policy is to supply material for their erection while our homes are falling down his policy Is certainly one-sided. Your footnote to “ Riled’s ” letter says that army barrack huts are not suitable for school children to be taught in, yet it seems that they are good enough for men and women to live in and rear children. It seems to be the policy of the Government to build magnificent schools nowadays. Well, nobody objects to that policy, but why do so when we are told of the great shortage of house-building material? I do not think we would mind the elaborate schools being erected if our children were getting the benefit of a sound education therein, but to me the education which our children are receiving to-day is of a very Satanic nature. Perhaps Mr Jones, who is in our midst at present, will explain to us the Government’s one-sided policy in handing out material for private schools while wq working people and others are deprived of the necessary to keep our homes m repair. I feel sure many of us will remember next election day.—l am, etc., • Digger, 1914.