COUNTRY SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2835, 28 July 1916, Page 8

COUNTRY SCHOOLS

DISCUSSED BY THE FARMEISS' . ;' . UNION. Mr. AV. A. Cox (Southland) moved: •'That this conference is of opinion that at tho present time too little attention is being given' by the education boards to primary education in outlying districts, also that' the preservation of a sound constitution in a .child should be the board's first, consideration,' and to that end.the boards bo urged to provide ample and sanitary accommodation for ill children attending country schools, arid that 'the Minister of Education be asked lo increase the subsidy for tho. conveyance of children to school in the outlying districts; and they provide a conveyance where roads permit to take the children fo larger staffed schools." Mr. J. Bell (Westliind), seconded the motion, which was carried without opposition. . • ' , ■

Mr. Anderson (Pelorus) moved: "That this union, strongly protests against the unfair treatment that is "being levied on country districts' in not providing fair and proper accommodation for the pioneer settlers' children." '

Mr. Anderson said it was not asked that the Government should build the schools. In his district there were not more than four schools which the Government had put up; school was held in. settlers' homes, etc. ; If there was a small fund out of which to make additions to an existing building it would be more economical than.' erecting buildings in a place' at which, in a few years, there might be no children.

Mr. A. Mackay (Marlborough) seconded the motion, and said that the need of greater facilities was- much felt in the Bounds district. Mr. T: Moss (Eketahuna) expressed the opinion that the Government was doing its best. ' The following words were added to the motion, which was then carried:—"and that the Government provide a fund to remedy, the evil." It was. also resolved: "Thatihis union considers .the time has como when more consideration should be given to aided schools. xin the "form of a higher capitation." Mr.. G; L. Marshall (Marton) .moved: "That elementary book-keeping based on rural operations, be made a compulsory subject of the school syllabus for country schools, ,fhe subject being allowed to remain optional for 'other schools." Farmers, he said, were finding it necessary to have. ,an;:elementary knowledge of book-keeping, and the rising generaHon would need the same knowledge. Hence the motion. . ■ ' Mr. A. Mackay (Marlborough) second-: ed the motion. Mr. E. Maxwell (Taranaki) opposed the motion.' -The knowledge, he'said, should-be eained in the technical schools. The motion was' carried.