HOUSE DISCUSSES NEED FOR SCHOOLS

Chronicle (Levin), 31 August 1946, Page 5

HOUSE DISCUSSES NEED FOR SCHOOLS

-Press Association

SIIORTAGE OF MATERIALS AND LABOUR BLAMED

By Telegraph—

WKIJTNUTUK, AUg. ou. When the Imprest (Supply Hui cairn before the House of Representatiye today, the opportunity was taken I),. several members to discuss educationa. facilities in their district. Alrs. G. TI. Ross (Hamilton) asked fo. more facilities in Ihe Hamilton schools aiul Mr. J. T. Watts (Riccarton), speak ing for the nuniber of >State houseierected in his electorate, said that thc Governnieut should have the foresigin lo provide schools to serve the large' State house areas. Mr. E. P. A dennan (New Plvmouthi appealed to the Government for inv niediate action to al.leviate the housing shortage and accommodation in his electorate. -Mr. A. S. Riehards (Roskill), speaking of the shortage of educational facilities referred to, said the Govern-

ment had been attacked on the grounds (hat it was neglectful and incapable of recognising its responsibilities toward education. The laclc of facilities was •a legacy left by the previous government. *Ami(l Opposition protests, Mr. A. Sutherland (Hauraki) said: "You nave had tpn years." Afr. Riehards said that the diificulties if overcoming the Jack of facilities •ould be attributed to the shortage of materials and manpower. Mr. Sutherland: We want deeds, not words. Mr. Riehards then proceeded to outline the lists of schools for which •ulditions and improvements were proposed by the Government. Mr. Sutherland: Tliat 's only a programme; we want schools not a nrogramme. -Mr. Riehards said that in 1935 the capital expenditure from the Public Works Aeeount on school buildings was only £(52.183 but in 193(5 the Labour Uovernment raised it to £1(59,0(40, in 1937 tp £27(5,000, in 1938 to £554, 0UU, aud in 1939 to £727,000. Mr. S. W. Smith (Bay of Islands): What part did increased costs play in that") Mr. Riehards said tlie expenditure on school buildings had eontinued to rise until this year the vote was £1,187,823. -Mr. Smith: With costs trebied. Jlr. Riehards said the ligures proved that the Government had greatly in'•reascd the provision for schools, yet the Opposition had the temeritv to accuse the Government of laek of interest. There was a cliorus of interjections at this stago, Mr. Riehards replving with a reference to "the little kiwi from Raglan". Mr. Speaker: Order! Order! Order! -Mr. .T. Thorii (Thames): The kiwi is a moe bird. Mr. Riehards witlidrow liis reference to the kiwi. He added that despite tlie Opposition concern for school buildings, 110 word of prolest had been uttered by .the Opposition against persons who soughl to- break.dowa the building con-. Irol reguhil ioh.s which JiaS liq'fih imposed liy the Government solely to conserve inaterials for essential work, especiallv 'for housing and schools. Mr. Smith said that a comparison basod on actual costs would have been more vnluable than the ligures given bv Mr. Riehards, which gave no indication of the actual work done in view of tlie rise in costs in recent years. Mr. Smilli said that there was a considernble wasle of materials and money in schools which lind been closed owing lo consolidation, and which were being allowed to deteriorate through neglect.