GRANT REFUSED.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 14

GRANT REFUSED.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL'S

HANDICAP.

A DEPUTATION. Last evening the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce received a deputation representing the Board of Governors of the Technical College,which asked the Council to rescind its recent resolution refusing to make its usual ernnt to the College. The deputation comprised Messrs McGregor Wright (chairman), G. E. Franklin, ». -n*. Oahagan, and Dr. I). E. Hansen (principal). ~ , , i Mr C. P. Agar (president) accorded the deputation a welcome. Ho said there appeared to be a ground for misunderstanding in the Chamber's attitude. Tt was in sympathy with tho work of the College, and approved it heartily, but there was a principle at stake. * 'lt was felt that work of this nature should be a charge on the Government. Mr McGregor Wright said he seemed .to be amougst friends, and those who were trying to do good to their follows. He thanked the president for his reference to the work of the Hoard, but the latter felt that the action of the Chamber would hurt them very much indeed. If the Chamber acted in concert with the other Chambers and induced the Government to do what they wanted it to do, the deputation would not be present that evening. The Government's contention was that too much money was being srent on education, but too much money could not be spent on the education given by the Technical College. If it did nothing but help young men and women between 14 years and 20 off the streets at nisrht, the money would be well spent. The Technical College did not get grants for certain things- If it had not been for the grants rom local bodies they would not have the girls' hostel, where 75 per cent, of the teachers in the domestic science course were trained. No grants had been made bv the Department towards the coat of typewriters. This year a special concession from a British firm would help them, and the Board had ordered from it. The Board was favourable to the teaching of swimming, but no help was forthcoming from the Department. Mr Wright referred to the loss to tho College on plumbing material. If no grants were received from bodies such as the Chamber, this class could not be held. Tlie Lead Given. "Think well of what you have done," he said. "If the various bodies follow your lead, we shall l>e in a very bad way. We am doing a great work for Christchureh.'' If tho Department gave them what they deserved they would not need to come along as a deputation- The Board wanted to keep the College right up to tho mark in the matter of equipment, With the 'subscriptions of the local bodies it was able to keep it near the mark. He and his fellow-members would like to double the number of pupils. "Might I ask you to come and see what is being done?" said Mr Wright. "If you did you would pat us on the back, and, inßtead of taking your grant away, double it." Mi Franklin said the Board had been given' a very anxious time when it received tho Cnambcr's letter. The Board received about £IOOO per annum in voluntary subscriptions, with the suleidies. Without this, some of the classes would be starved. The education given by the College could not bo I piven to tho boys by the trades- The influence of the withdrawal of the subscription would be far-roaching. Other bodies would say: "The Chamber of Commerce is not satisfied that tho education being given in the College is efticient." Deep concern was felt by the Finance Committee of the Board, of which ho was chairman. Dr. D. E. Hansen (principal) said the total number of pupils this year was about 3300. It wa3 not just a trade school. There was a teaching staff of 110, including part-time instructors, and 35 who were full-time teachers. He said the accountancy branch was second to none in Christchurch, and was supported by the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, which gave the largest _ contribution next to that of the 1 Christchureh City Council. The materials for the use of classes cost about £I4OO per annum, of which only about a quarter was recoverable. City Council's Grant. For from 20 to 25 years the Council had given an annual contribution of £3OO. Every £1 was spent in Christchurch, with a subsidy of £1 for £1 from tlfo Government. The Collego playing fields were a great asset to tho City, and were periodically placed at the disposal of the various sports be dies. Teachers' salaries were paid by the Department, and fees amounting to £IOOO were collected for the Government. Teachers also had a 30 per oent. salary allowance for incidental expenses. With one exception, the school was run the cheapest of Buch schools in the Dominion. No other school was in such intimate touch with the commercial and civic life of Christchurch, and it therefore came under a different category from the others.

Mr F. W. Hobbs asked what the reasons of the Department were for not giving the college the support it needed. He had not been backward in voicing his opinion that the Chamber -should not support one branch of education.

Mr Wright said the Minister had had to admit that the money used for technical education was well spent, but he said: "The Government gives me only a certain amount of money to 6pend on education."

In reply to Mr P. H. Harris, Mr Wright said the trade unions were subscribing an amount about equal to that given by the -employers. ''Don't be ignorant; _ come down and see what we are doing," he appealed again. Mr Franklin said the number of contributing bodies was about 30. Their grants ranged down to £1 is. The contribution of the Chamber was important, as it gave an incentive to the others.

_ Dr. Hansen said the total contributions were about £OOO.

Mr Agar said two years ago, when the question was discussed, there was a certain amount of difference of opinion as to whether the contribution should ho a charge on the Chamber, and when tho matter was discussed in the following year it was understood the grant would bo the last, so the Chamber'? policy was being carried out. It was believed that it was the duty of tho Government to carry out all education, including technical education. Person! ally ho thought a committee should go into the financing of the college with the Board and meet tho Minister to see "•Wher matters r>ould not be He suereestod that a visit should be naid to the college on some evening. Matter for Government. Mr H. S. E. Turner supported this proposal. Something should be brought home to the Government, which spent money in directions in which it should be more economical. They should endeavour to mitigate the effect of the withdrawal of the subscription. Mr W. H. Nicholson supported tho suggestion. Mr F. E. Jones moved that the motion passed, withdrawing the grant, be rescinded pending the receipt of a report on the matter. He said it was a good thing to encourage a little selfhelp on the part of the organisations in the community. The Chamber shoiild not bo the first to withdraw,

when the Unions and Trades and Labour Council had put their hands in their pockets for the college. Mr Hobbs said it was no good one body making a decision. The various bodies should get together and decide on a policy. , Mr 0. H. Hewlett supported the president's suggestion, and advocated that the City Council call a conference of local bodies affected. Mr K. W. Robinson said they were making a song over nothing. He moved that the Chamber give the usual subscription of 20 guineas. Mr V. E. Hamilton seconded tihe motion. The college was doing excellent work, he said. Mr Hewlett said that the matter should be gone into very fully. Mr Agar said the motion could not be accepted, as it was out of order. It might bo done if the_ standing orders were suspended, which was a very drastic step. Mr Robinson: We have spent 20 guineas' worth of our time discussing this matter. Nobody will stick tii« matter up on such a fine point. Mr Hewlett said 20 guineas would not get the Board out of its difficulties, and it probably wanted more. Mr E. H. Wyles supported the remarks of Mr Jones. The Technical College could not lie starved until the matter was settled with the Government, he said. Mr Robinson then gave notice of motion that the previous resolution be rescinded. Mr Agar said there was a motion already, but he could not accept the amendment granting the contribution, as it was out of order. He suggested that the motion to aripoint a committee bo coupled with the notice of motion that the resolution to the effect that the subscription be withdrawn be rescinded. A resoluion on this direction was carried. Messrs Wyl«s. Jones, Hobbs, Turner, and A. 0. Wilkinson were appointed to the committee.