SCHOOL BOOKS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 206, 25 August 1932, Page 2

SCHOOL BOOKS

“COULD BE CHEAPER’’ A CANTERBURY OPINION The Canterbury Education Board does not give unqualified approval to the new contract for the supply of school books, and is, in fact, inclined to regard the negotiations with an unfriendly eye. At a recent meeting of the board, Air C. S. Thompson pointed out that the new contract would not come into operation until the present contract expired in eighteen months’ time. The reduction of 224 per cent, he said, looked all right on the surface. The present position was that publishers gave retailers a trade discount of 25 per cent. Under the new contract, retailers would not get this discount, and it looked as though the publishers would be 24 per cent better off. However, it would cost the publishers something to sell the books. “I am not exaggerating the position when I say that the cost could bo reduced 50 per cent, not 224 per cent, if books -were bought by public tender,” declared Air Thompson. “We should protest. It is no advantage to parents The money simply goes from one pocket to another.” Air S. Smith said that if books were procurable only from the publisher, they would be procurable only where the publisher had a shop. Copyright Question If the Department had the copyright, Air J. W. Preen suggested, costs would be considerably reduced. The Government had given the publisher a right to the books for another four years, but it was not known what books this applied to. It meant that people who were least able to pay would have to pay the same, amount as before. Tho board should ask that the present contract be allowed to expire, and that the Department should then take over the copyright and have tho printing done by public tender. Air Thompson moved that the Alinister should he asked to furnish details of the contract. “Whether wo will do any good passing resolutions, I don’t know” said Air H. .1. Bignell. “If you have the best end of a contract you hold on to it.” Some years ago when the samw subject was under consideration, said Air R. Wild, the board offered to importschool requisites and distribute them to committees at cost. The committees did not accept the proposals, and the board had since then taken no part in the agitation for cheaper hooks. They should go carefully, as it might make the board look ridiculous if it stepped in now that the fighting was over. Air Thompson’s motion was carried.