EDUCAIION BOARDS' CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. August 19.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 27

EDUCAIION BOARDS' CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. August 19.

The Education Boaida' Conference opened this morning. It was tcsoived that, in addition to tho ordinary capitation and other grants, adequate provision «hould be made for the cost of administration by tho boards. During thp discussion Mr Hogg. M.H.R., advised the conference to exercise caution in their request*. The 16 motions on the order paper pertaining to matters affecting tho boards a-11 contained an oufcery for more money. The conference should bo careful lest they rnis-od such a state <~i public feeling as would militate against the existing educational s=y=tom. A motion by the Nelson representative to •flrovide that where the attendance is injuriously affected by important local cond'ltions during any quarter the payment- of teachers' salaries and the capitation to boardf be estimated on the a\eragc of tlic other three quarters wa-. negatived.

The. conference revoked that a iiibptantial incic-a-e sliould bo made in the building grant of Education Boards and that the capitation grant should be increased by 3s 3d ; that primary and secondary edu cation be brought under the (outiol of tlio Education Boards; that the giant for manual aud technical instiuclioii be made to boards direct: that the conference \w with disfavour tlio multiplication of petty text books ; that provision should be made for teaching sewing in all schools; that the conference stiongly disappro\e of cvn tralisation of the inspectorate; and that the centralising tendency will pio\o detnmental to the interests of education.

Tlie conference rot-olved that in-rx-etor^ sliould be granted free pa^es on ran ways; that it is desirable incjic^ tois- should meet toacheis m conference at regular nitcr\.iK ; that suitable permanent pio\ision bo in;ide for the payment of rehe\mg toathors; that there is need for tho adequate training of tcaehe>r«j.

The motion sent up by the Otngo Board tliat Education Boards sliould be elected by a wid-or constituency than at present was opposed by Otago's delegate, Mr T. I\lac kcuzie. The motion was not debated, but a show of hands had to be. taken upon it, when six delegates \oted in support of it pnd four against it. Th« delay of the Education Department iir attending to bu<-ine<w brouglit before it by boards was the subject of much severe criticism from the delegates. The debate was sharp and lively, Messrs Hogg. Hanan, and Macahster being the only delegates who had a, good word to say for the dej&Wtatffit, XJltißoat*!^ tke ioUflffiug resolu-

tion was carried by seven votes to three on the motion of Mr T. Mackenzie : — " That this conference trusts that greater promptitude will be shown by the department in connection with communications with boards ; and also deprecates the tendency of the central office to encroach on the power* and functions of the boards." August 20. The Education Boards' Conference this morning resolved that the attention of the Minister be directed to the lack of young male _ teachers, probably caused by. the small 'alaries offered, and- recommended that Government make provision for free secondary fuiication for all children who have passed tb.i Sixth Standard, mbject to the necessary regulation?. It was resolved that, in order to secure uniformity in the appointment of tcchers, the boards be recommended to forward the names of all applicants to tho school committees, with testimonials, and that one name be selected, with an intimation that the board pi-opose to appoint this teacher provided the committee do not give valid reasons to the contrary. It was decided to wait on the (rovermncnt and lay thf elections before the Ministers. The conference then adjourned.