THE VOTE FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 11

THE VOTE FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

THE RESULTS OF CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION. The following notice of motion was given by Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R , at la-.t meeting of the Education Board. — " That as to day's statements of accounts fehow a credit balance of £895 available for general purposes, less increase of salaries since voted, this board ie c olves to grant to school c< mmittcos on an equitable basis a i^ortiun of tlmt turplm togelhrr with the incrt-dsod vote gi anted la~t session for the assistance of school committees, and that in the meantime the secretary of the boaid be directed to ascertain from the Minister of Education the exact amount now due to tie Otajjo Board undrr la^t e=sion's increased vote." .Since the above notice was gain -Vr Mackenzie and the secretary of the b"ard fcsve been in communication with, the head

office, but no satisfaction whatever can be obtained. Only the stereotyped reply is graciously given — namely, that the matter is still under consideration. Parliament voted an increased amount to School Committees, and tho non-action of the Government, Mr Mackenzie maintains, is in great contrast to what would have been done bad the vote been under the direct control of the Education Boards. In the former case the Education Department practically defies the will of Parliament by uimply doing nothing, whereas had the board received the funds the money would have been distributed among the School Committees. And yet people in the face of 6uch work still call out for centralisation.