A MATTER FOR THOUGHT.

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1923, Page 4

A MATTER FOR THOUGHT.

Before the scheme of amalgamation is finally settled it might be worth while reconsidering the constitution of the proposed board. Both the boards as at present constituted include far too few members elected by the llirert vote of the people. On the High School Beard there are nine members, o.t whom only three are to be really elec tive. All the rest are appointed on indirect votes or merely nominated—three by the Education Board, two by the Governor-General, one by the Masterton Borough Council. Of the Technical managers not a single one i.« elected by Direct vote. One is nomi nated by the Education Board, one each by the Borough Council, the County Council, the school committees and the Trades and Labour Council, and two by the Trust Lan|Js Trust. Surely the whole thing could be done much more satisfactorily by a more direct vote. Why should the County Council and the Borough Council have representation on these bodies? Both country and townspeople would be much more effectively represented by a direct vote of ratepayers taken at the same time as the local body elections. As regards the representative of employees on the Technical Managers, Mr Selby disclosed ihe fact last night that he was elected by the 12.. men who constitute the Masterton Trilies and Labour Counc.l. This was according to the regulations, but surely it cannot be considered satisfactory. It is a mere nomination, and Mr Selby himself condemns it. We would not like to see any obstacles put in the way of the proposed amalgamation of the schools, but the constitution and methckl of electing the board might very well be improved. It is thorough ly bad and unrepresentative.