8.—4.

Travelling-expenses or Physical Instructors. 264. All physical instructors have now been dispensed with, except those needed for the instruction of students in the training colleges. As the training colleges are not open for as long a period as are the schools, the physical instructors at the training colleges would also pay visits to the public schools. The reduced number of instructors enables us to recommend a reduction of £500 in the item. Estimated saving, £500. Child Welfare. 265. We have been unable in the time at our disposal to deal yet with this part of the Depart- • ment's activities. Taranaki Scholarship Endowment. 266. The Opaku Reserve, consisting of 10,000 acres, was set aside in 1868 as an endowment for a colonial University. In 1905 the purpose of the endowment was changed, and the income was set aside for what were called " Taranaki Scholarships," tenable at University colleges. These scholarships were to be awarded to Taranaki candidates who succeeded in securing a place in the merit list at the University Entrance Scholarship Examinations. We find, however, that the income from the reserves has been more than sufficient to provide for the scholarships required as there are relatively few post-primary schools in Taranaki. We are of opinion that the Taranaki candidates are placed in a much more favourable position than University candidates in any other part of the Dominion in that these special scholarships are available in addition to the ordinary University scholarships. We consider that there is now no good reason why the revenue from the reserves, and the accumulated income which has not been used in the past, should not be paid to the Consolidated Fund as a setoff to the increasing cost of University education, including scholarships. The accumulated income amounts to approximately £28,000 and the annual income to £2,200, and we recommend that the law be amended to provide for the abolition of the reservation of the land for a particular purpose and for the accumulated funds and future revenue to be paid to the Consolidated Fund. Immediate benefit to Consolidated Fund, £28,000. Free Post-primary Education. 267. We have given careful consideration to the extent to which the present system of free postprimary education has developed, and are of opinion that the cost of post-primary education has undoubtedly outgrown the ability of the country to pay. 268. We recognize that free post-primary education offers many advantages, but consider that the tendency has been for the State to assume too great a responsibility in this respect. 269. We believe that every possible opportunity should be afforded our young people who have the capacity and eagerness to absorb secondary education, but consider that they should be carefully selected upon individual merit and with due regard to any potential qualifications that they may possess. The view that all boys and girls should be encouraged to proceed from the primary to the secondary schools as a mere matter of course has prevailed to such an extent that to-day we find that there are many pupils in our secondary schools who have not the ability or aptitude to profit by the free but costly instruction which is being provided for them, and some who perhaps have the ability but are lacking in the desire to do so. 270. We recommend a more rigid system of examination for both junior and senior free places and a weeding-out of those who after a reasonable trial disclose that they are failing to benefit by their post-primary opportunity. 271. At the present time a junior-free-place holder may have free secondary education for two years or, in some cases, for three years, but in no case beyond the year in which he reaches the age of seventeen. If, at the end of his junior-free-place period, the pupil is qualified in the opinion of the Department to benefit by further education, he is awarded a senior free place, which is tenable until the end of the term in which he reaches the age of nineteen. 272. We . recommend that the cumulative tenure of junior and senior free places should be reduced by two years, the free place terminating at the end of the year in which the pupil reaches the age of seventeen years. The more promising pupils would still be able to qualify for entrance to the University. The duration of free post-primary education would depend on the age at which the pupil qualifies to commence it, in other words, the younger he was at the age of qualifying the longer would the period be. We do not suggest any alteration in the period for the junior free place, and under our recommendation it would still be necessary for the pupil to qualify for a senior free place at the end of the second year, but if the restriction of age were imposed, as recommended, the effect would be not only to lessen the number of pupils holding free places, but to decrease the average length of the period during which such free places were held. 273. It is difficult to estimate the savings that would result if our recommendations were given effect to. There will be little definite saving for 1932-33, but, as far as can be judged, the savings should eventually approximate £30,000. 274. There is another avenue of economy, or rather a reduction in cost to the State, which we consider should be explored. We refer to certain classes in technical schools for which fees are charged, such as accountancy and trade classes. In both the fees are low, and it would not be unreasonable to increase them. We recommend an increase of 33J per cent., and estimate that this would benefit the Consolidated Fund to the extent of £3,000. Special Capitation for Sewing in Primary Schools. 275. At present the sum of £3,000 is expended by way of capitation to enable instruction in sewing to be given by part-time teachers in single-teacher country schools under the control of male teachers. This special capitation should be discontinued, and the necessary instruction given in the home, and we recommend accordingly. Estimated saving, £3,000.

29