PRIME MINISTER’S PROMISE OF A “WHOLE” NEW GIRLS’ COLLGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 July 1949, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER’S PROMISE OF A “WHOLE” NEW GIRLS’ COLLGE

Representations in the form ot a parody, with words and music taken from the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, were made by pupils °f the Wanganui Girls’ College when they asked the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) yesterday afternoon for a complete new school to be built on the Wanganui East site. Mr Fraser described the appeal as irresistible and promised that when the new college was built they would get the “whole school, and nothing but the whole school,” instead of only the science block as at present intended.

The Prime Minister visited the school immediately after his arrival from Wellington at 3 p.m. and was I met in the Assembly Hall by the chairman of the Board of Governors Mr G. S. Gordon, members of the I board, and the principal- Miss M. E. I Baker. Also on the stage were the ! Mayor of Wanganui, Hon. W. J. Ro- ■ gers, M.L.C., and Mr J. B. CotterillM.P. for Wanganui. The head prefect, Susan Mac Lean, who travelled overseas recently, gave an introductory address. Highlight of the afternoon was the appeal for a new school, made with the catching lilt of Gilbert and Sullivan, and opening with: “Mr Fraser’s first member of Parliament, He can do whatever he choosesTo his measures all assent, Showing that P.M.’s have their uses. We hope that he is (in his glory) Giving an ear to all our story, For if he will use his rule, We can have our whole new school, Whole new school, whole new school* We can have our whole, our whole new school.” WELCOMED WITH SONG The following verse opened with "He’s as welcome as flowers in the spring, tra-la- if he promises plenty oi space . . .” and when the song was concluded Mr Fraser said he was appalled to think that if he had not been able to keep the appointment in Wanganui he would not have heard this ingenious effort. “The combination of Gilbert and Sullivan was so very good, the singing was excellent and the subject so very appropriate,” the Prime Minister added. “I was almost persuaded that this new school was a myth, something that I had just been dreaming about, though there was no need to dream about the old school,” he said- adding that he was Minister of Education before the recent war. On a previous visit in this capacity Miss Baker and the board made representations to him for a new school. They showed him everything, leaving nothing outand the old school spoke too emphatically for itself. It simply shouted aloud that it was inadequate. Mr Fraser said he had certainly not forgotten the Wanganui Girls’ College and along with two other new schools of a similar type at' Whangarei and Invercargill, which had been or were almost completed, he would place it high on the list. Following his previous visit to the college he made representations for a new school and did everything possible, but after that was appointed Prime Minister and could not keep in touch with all educational matters. The \yar then came and disrupted everything.

“I will say, very mildly, that the only part of the song which is fiction is that the Prime Minister can do whatever he chooses.” Mr Fraser added. “If he could do that you would have had your new school long ago.” Difficulties had arisen in the erection of a new Girls’ College, particularly with the shortage of materials. Steel was a story in itself, but the Commissioner of Works had given all the help possible. Plans were prepared, but the architect died and another had to be appointed. Difficulties had been overcome, however, and he had been told that a-moderate start had been made with the new school. PRIME MINISTER “SHOCKED” “I was shocked to learn from the song that Cabinet had consented to only one block. In what dark recesses of somebody’s mind was that ideti conceived?” Mr Fraser said. The Prime Minister co atulated the choir and the music no...ress and said that the song was very good indeed. The girls sang it in the right spirit and were deserving of the best school that the architects could design. After hearing the song he must say that they would get the whole school, and nothing but the whole school, and that he was anxious to be present on the opening day. The board had been very enthusiastic and had done everything possible. Mr Cotterill had made such a luisance of himself that he gave the impression that nothing else in the country mattered and that the new Girls' College was of paramount importance. “1 hope that the new school will be completed as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister added. Cabinet Ministers had to receive al sorts of deputations on wide and varied matters- but if deputations followed the example set. by tne Wanganui Girls’ College and put t heir representations into music the appeal would be irresistible. On behalf of the school school, Marjorie Hosking thanked the Prime Minister for the interest he had taken and for the promise of a new school. As'Tie drove away to inspect the site at Wanganui East Mr Fraser was cheered by the girls. On their return Mr Fraser and party were entertained at afternoon tea.