EDUCATIONAL TOPICS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16186, 24 July 1923, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS.

AN IMPORTANT CONFEIkENCE. QUESTION OF SUBSIDIES. (Special to tlic Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. It is understood that an important conference between tho lion. C. «J. Farr, Minister of Education, Departmental officers, and chairmen and secretaries of Education Boards will be held in Wellington after the Parliamentary session. That such a conference was contemplated waa hinted by Mr. Parr some time ago. Ini .addition to numerous questions of administration, the eonierence will discuss the vexed question of the* methods and limitations tvhieh should reasonably be attached to subsidies from voluntary contributions raised by school committee's and others. In the past there has been at least the impression that such moneys in certain instances might have been expended in a more useful way. Suggestions have already been made by some of the Boards as to the amount of the subsidies, and a scale varying' in accordance with the strength of the roll of schools. The Auckland Board has submitted a. comprehensive _ scheme, which it) is understood the Minister considered most reasonable. Another matter that will he debated is the high prices still obtaining lor tin. erection--of buildings in certain instances in some Board districts. This has given tho Department! some concern and the Minister desires to ascertain means of getting better value, if possible, for building grants. The) conference will also discuss the grading system. In the past various Boards have put- varying interpretations on their duties ini this connection as defined by regulation, and naturally the Minister desires as much uniformity in this connection as possible.