ADULT EDUCATION

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 November 1947, Page 4

ADULT EDUCATION

BILL DEBATED IN THE HOUSE (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Nov. 13. The Minister of Education (Mr. McCombs) moving the second reading of the Adult Education Bill in the House of Representatives today, said the measure could be regarded as an important step forward m the organisation of that type of education in New Zealand.

The provisions of the Bill arose mainly through recommendations of a committee set up to survey adult education which had now reached a stage where adequate finance should be provided for its development. At present the grant for adult education was £51,000 a year, and he could see n day when that sum should be doubieii. In order to encourage adult education among Die Maori people a representative of that race would be on the National Council.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opp., Central Otago) said the Education Committee nad given very careful consideration to tiie Bill and Opposition members on the committee felt that while they could support the Bill its application should cover a wider Held. As agriculture was our basic Industry no system ot adult education would be complete unless there was provision for study of that subject. It was a matter lor regret that the National Council did not provide for representatives from the two agricultural colleges, and that no allowance was made for representaition of such organisations as the W.D.F.U. Opposition members did not feel that Maori interests would be served adequately by the mere appointment of a representative on the National Council and considered a Regional Council should be set up to deal exclusively with Maori adult education, embracing health, hygiene and associated matters.

The Attorney General (Mr. Mason) said the Bill overcame the problem of co-ordinating existing organisations and agencies and would infuse vitality into adult education. There was no desire on the part of the Government to take over adult education.

Mr. H. Oram (Opp< Manawatu) said that if the scope of adult education were to be broadened, as recommended by a consultative committee, then the National Council must be kept truly national in character. Tiiat would not be achieved by providing for a representation of the W.E.A. and of the Maori race on the council. The W.E.A. appeared to have almost held a pistol at the head of tlie Government or of the Minister. The W.E.A., despite its importance, would be only one ot many organisations fostering adult education, and if it were to be accorded special privilege there was a possibility of shipwrecking the whole scheme. The inclusion ot a x representative of the W.E.A. in the National Council was a step in the wrong direction and the inclusion of a representative of the Maori race was even more so. The Maoris were supposed to be equal with white people, and could have no claim to special representation in a council of this nature. The sectional issue had been raised and threatened to destroy the value of the whole of the proposals. Mr. C. L. Carr (Govt.. Timaru) said that hitherto the' organisation of adult education in New Zealand had been too dilettante and occasional in character. It could not achieve satisfactory results unless there was a core,of hard study for those interested. It did seem, on the face'of it, tiiat it was a little illbalanced that the W.E.A., as one of the many organisations concerned with adult'education, should be specially included in the National Council to the exclusion of others, but it must, be remembered that the W.E.A. in the past had done a great job and could not now be ignored or forgotten, although other groups, inspired by its example, had grown up to assist in its task. It would be a fitting recognition of past W.E.A. work to give it a seat on the council—not necessarily permanently, but as a generous gesture which which do no harm and would satisfy those who had engaged In W.E.A. work for years past. Mr. Carr said Maori representation was also justified.

The debate was interrupted bv the tea adjournment, at 5.30 p.m.