EDUCATION INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 6

EDUCATION INQUIRY.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION. EfilWr IWK NEXT MONTH. The constitution of the Royal Commission which is to inquire into tin- educational administration of the Dominion was announced yesterday. Us members are;— Mark Cohen, Puiiedin (chairman). William Uavidsuu. JJiinwlin. James Hubert Kirk, (iisbornc. I'Yederkk J'iraui, I'cildinß. Uu»h i'oland, M.L , .. I'aeroa. John C. Thomson. -M.L , ., Uiverton. Thomas U. Wells, M.A., Auckland. Tho order of reference of the commission is as follows:— I. Tho cost of Slate education in respect to primarv, manuaL, technical, ami secondary; and its relation to eliiciciiey. 1!. The'udiiiinUtniliou of tho central tlepartiiK'iit. 3. The powers and rights possessed respectively by Education Hoards and other local educational authorities, and whether they should be extended. •1." The expenditure on manual and technical instruction, and tho question ot local responsibility in regard to providing portion of i'unds therefor. 5. Tho amalgamation of. local government or controlling bodies. G. Overlapping and duplication. 7 Tho finance- of education boards, high school, and manual and technical governing bodies. . 8. Agricultural instruction and rural courses. . ~ !) In what respects school instruction can be improved and made of more practical valuo in equipping impils lor their future careers. 10. Scholarships and free places: What changes, if any, should be made in this connection? 11. And. generally, in what respects improvements can bo made to secure higher efficiency, better administration, and coordination and the securing of greater value for the annual expenditure on the branches of education above referred to. The Commission is authorised and empowered to conduct inquiries at Duncdin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, and is to report not later than June 25 next. The Commission. Mr. Mark Cohen is editor of the Dunediu "Star," and has for many years made a close study of the education quesMr. Davidson is headmaster o£ the Morningtoh. School, and has been president of tho New Zealand Educational Institute. Mr. J. E. Kirk has for long been a member of tho Gisborno High School Board, and connected with school committee work in that district. Mr. Poland is :ruember for Ohinemivn, and an ex-teacher. Mr. J". C. Thomson is also an ex-teacher, and , is member for Wallace. Mr. I'iraiii is chairman of tho Wangan\ii Education Board, and has for many years taken a prominent part in education matters. Mr.."Wells takes a great interest in technical education and university work. Ho is headmaster of one of the largest schools in Auckland.

EARLY REPORTINGS, ~ PIUME MINISTER EXPLAINS. The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Prime Minister) made the following statement yesterday in reference to the fact that each of the three Commissions (Cost of Living. Civil Service, and Education) is to-report by Juno-25:— "A Koyal Commission can always apply for an extension of time. Further, in connection with some of the Commissions I conlil not have secured the services of some of the high type of men I was in quest of had they thought the inquiry was to 1)0 a prolonged undertakes. Tho'piiblic will bo surprised, too, in connection with the Civil Service Commission, to find how quickly capable business men ran get into the- kerne! of questions brought before them. The members of the Civil Service Commission are of a typo not to be picked up at every street corner. They are busily engaged in the great activities of life, controlling large commercial undertakings, and can only spare a limited amount of their valuable timo in doing the work they are called upon to "Besides this," added the Prime Minister, "we want to get at the real position of some of the matters that r.re to be: inquired into, and if possible give effect at an early date to auy reforms that may bo recommended. The public have been callin" out for much, and now the first step that the Government has taken seems to bo challenged. One would suppose that the Government did not realise the ditliculties that are pointed out so generous--It, or Tealise the responsibilities attaching to the step we have taken. Aβ a matter of fact, we aro fully alive to all of them."