TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2030, 17 August 1920, Page 8

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

MINISTER APPRECIATES SELFHELP. Prss* Association. WELLINGTON, August IG. A statement was made to-day by the Minister of Education touching a resolution circulated among local bodies, which embodies a protest against local authorities being asked to provide funds for technical education. "I have asked for a departmental report on this matter," said Mr Parr. "I find that, as a matter of fact, the actual monetary contributions made to technical schools by local authorities amount, in the aggregate, to less than 2 per cent, of the total expenditure on schools, so thnt, at present, local authorities have very little to cry out about. Certain local bodies, however, have provided sites for technical schools —in one or two cases purchased by special legislative authority out of loan money raised for that purpose. Prior to the last Session of Parliament, there was no provision for grants being made by the Government for sites for technical schools, reliance in this respect being placed entirely on the local bodies. The Education Amendment Act of last Session provides for the appropriation of public moneys for thai purpose. The present Act makes provision for the appointment of managers for technical schools, and encourages local bodies to make contributions to the funds of schools, by allotting representation to contributing bodies in proportion to their contributions. The object of this is not so much to relieve the public purse as to enlist the sympathy of contributors on behalf of the technical schools. The contributions, in comparison with the total State expenditure, are somewhat insignificant. "These provisions have been found to be unsatisfactory, and I am nowconsidering proposals with a view of amending the Act. so that the representation of local authorities on technical school boards shall not altogether depend on the proportion of contributions. "I quite recognise that the burden of education should fall on the Consolidated Fund, as a general rule, but where people are keen—as they are in many centres—to help their technical school, it is well that there should be legislative sanction for voluntary effort, and I do not propose to withdraw the present right to contribute, if they think fit. It is, of course, entirely permissive, and not compulsory—quite within the discretion of the local authority. The department will continue to welcome practical support for technical schools in which the work done is governed largely by local conditions,! and the object is largely to satisfy local needs. Many centres recognise the value to the district of giving their local tradesmen a sound grounding in the principles of their respective ' trades, and they have voluntarily helped us with sites. I do not propose to forbid this attitude."