MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1921, Page 5

MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

NO INCREASE FOR THIS YEAR. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. By Telegraph.—l’ress Association. Wellington, Last Night. A statement that there would be no increase in expenditure on education this year was made by the Prime Minister today to a deputation from the School Committees’ Federation. Mr. Massey said he appreciated the good work done by the school committees, but all the proposals made that morning had involved expenditure, and though the Government had proved its intreest in education by increasing the annual vote from £1,300,000 to £3,000,000, the ccmtry could not go much further until the population increased. To get through the depression they had to economise, and it was just as well that all should face the position. He was sorry to say there would be no increase in expenditure during the present year, except in very urgent cases. They could not go on as they had, even in the matter of education.

There had been a good deal of economy and retrenchment effected already without any fuss or trouble, and more had to come, although the Government would see that no injustice was done. He would not be doing his duty if he promised lavish expenditure, but as soon as they got back to normal conditions no one would be more pleased than he to do everything possible for the education of the rising generation.

The Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) said capital expenditure was entirely in the hands of the Minister of Finance. The expenditure on buildings had reached a total that had never been approached before, but it had been very considerably reduced, and at present he was not authorising more than £lOO,OOO per annum. Other expenditure was comprised mainly of teachers’ salaries, so there could be no curtailment in that direction without affecting the teachers. He denied a suggestion that teachers specially trained in infant and kindergarten work were forced willy nilly into standard work. Every teacher got the training spoken of, and each teacher was allowed to choose what branch of work he desired to take up. He agreed that women should have a say in the work of the department.