SCHOOL BOOKS CONTRACT

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 714, 18 March 1933, Page 30 (Supplement)

SCHOOL BOOKS CONTRACT

Minister Replies to Printers’ Criticism. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, March 17. “ I am not concerned about the resolution passed by the Master Printers’ Association in connection with the extension of the school contract,” said the Hon R. Masters when a telegram containing a resolution passed at the annual conference of the association was referred to him. “It is obvious that the association is more interested in its own particular industry than in the protection of the pockets of the parents of school children. Its one aim was to secure new business, whereas my object was to save considerable capital expenditure on the part of parents. This I claim to have done. Petitions relating to the contract were presented to Parliament and dealt with by the Education Committee and the House during the recent session. The committee, went into the petitions exhaustively and called evidence. In common with others the Master Printers’ Association was asked to appear and give evidence. Although the association demanded an inquiry in regard to the contract, none of its representatives put in an appearance. The association preferred to base its case upon a written statement which was tendered as evidence before the National Expenditure Commission. It was significant that this course of action gave no opportunity for crossexamination by the committee. The Parliamentary Education Committee, composed of members belonging to all parties, reported that the contract was a satisfactory one from the point of view of the public.”