A SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S GRIEVANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 64

A SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S GRIEVANCE.

EDUCATION BOARD SYMPATHETIC, i "~ On the 17th imsfc. the Education Board considered resolutions by various school committees protesting against the withdrawal of the special grant of 9d per pupil for incidental expenses, and a resolution..from the Dunedin and Suburban Schools .Committees' Association asking that the board grant assistance in that connection. ■ The Rev. P. B. Fraser moved—"That-' the board is 'pleased to receive the communication of the Schools Committees' Association, and will give the request, regarding the school committees' finances due consideration at an early date; that' consideration of the request to increase the school committees' allowances "be taken into consideration at next meeting." He said he thought the least they could do was to consider whether the board could rghteously, and financially give this money, and give a decision at next meeting. The resolution would apply to both matters. Mr M'Kerrow seconded the motion. ' Mr "Mitchell said he thought if anything was to be done it would be better don© at that meeting, because this closed the financial year, and committees having relied upon the Government grant had incurred responsibilities and would be in. debt. The motion was carried without dissent. Mr Mitchell desired to move a resolution connected with these matters, and on receiving permission to do so without notice, moved—" That this board has read with pained astonishment the Minister's allegation that Education Boards had taken advantage of the departmental special grant to school committees to reduce their own grants. The board cannot refrain from expressing regret that the Minister should perpetrate the injustice of giving a general application to a possibly isolated instance, and assures the Minister that this board, rather than curtailing its allowances to school committees,. has "given full effect to the desire of the department and relieved them of previous financial responsibilities." Mr Israel seconded the motion, which ~was carried without dissent. ;