PROVINCIALISM OVERCOME

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 9

PROVINCIALISM OVERCOME

SCHOOL COMMITTEES CONFER. FUTURE INCREASE IN FUNDS. That the first annual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees had placed the federation on a sound foundation was the opinion expressed by the organising secretary of the Wellington Federation, Mr. N. A. Ingram, in the course of observations upon a conference at the last meeting of the Wellington board. “It is now evident that the difficulties of overcoming that spirit of provincialism and prejudice which were noted at previous assemblages has at last been achieved, and that this conference truly met in an atmosphere of national effort, rather than provincial desires and ambitions,” said Mr. Ingram. “Fiery orations on this occasion were conspicuous by their absence, and a general desire to work in a constructive spirit rather than at all times creating a destructive attitude towards the Minister of Education and the department and boards was readily manifest, though this in no way prevented the conference indulging in strong criticism when such was considered necessary. “The work of the incoming Parliamentary committee will be very important, and many matters have been referred to it for consideration apart from

its first function of placing the . views of the conference before the Minister, but I have every confidence in the working of this committee, and feel that it will approach all the matters with due regard to their importance. “The discussions created the impression that associations realised the desire of the Minister to meet and discuss the various representations of the national organisations. Appreciation of Mr. Masters’ actions and courtesies were frequently made by many of the delegates, and it was fell, taking all matters into consideration, that Mr. Masters was doing his best for the schools and scholars, and that when further opportunities present themselves, with increasing prosperity of the Dominion's finances, that the Minister would not be found wanting in his desire to still further augment the funds placed at the disposal of the board ind committees."