SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

Southland Times, Issue 21831, 7 October 1932, Page 7

SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. REPLY BY MASTER PRINTERS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 6. The Federation of Master Printers of New Zealand strongly resents and refutes the statements which the Ministers made in the Legislative Council concerning the school books contract. The statement which was issued today, after referring to the many protests made by various sections of the community, continues. —It is true that at the request of the school committees Association the Master Printers’ organizations in Auckland and Christchurch expressed themselves in no ioncertain terms as to the cost and value of school text books. This information which was subsequently placed at the disposal of the National Expenditure Commission and the Minister clearly shows that the books were 50 per cent, too dear and that they could be produced in quantities of 25,000, only a year’s supply as compared with the inestimable advantage to the present publishers attaching to a five year or a seven year period at prices warranting a reduction of 331-3 per cent, after allowing discounts of 25 per cent, and 2J per cent, to the distributors. A definite guarantee was given by responsible, well equipped printing houses to produce books on this basis. Also a definite option was expressed and to the effect that under open tender conditions, prices would show a substantial reduction even on this figure. With discount to distributors only 15 per cent, as now obtains, this reduction would automatically extend to 43 per cent. When the time comes, concludes the statement, for setting up an impartial tribunal for the purpose of holding an enquiry into all the circumstances of the text book question, it will doubtless be found that the Federation can substantially illuminate material features so far not touched upon in any quarter which will be informative to the community. Generally and most probably to the Minister himself.