EDUCATION BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD

ITS CONSTITUTION GKITICISED.

On the' "Wellington Education Board there are six city and suburban.' meml>ers and six country members, and of these tho cilv and suburban members have been constituted an executive to attend to matters of urgency between the monthly meetings, and report generally to tho full board. That tho constitution of tho board and its methods of working do not satisfy everyone -was made clear yesterday, when Mr. A. W. Jlogg, of Mastorton, moved:—"That an executive composed of urban members, ■and representing moro than halt the board, is manifestly unfair to the rural members, and that it be abolished.' In moving the resolution Mr. Hogg said that in his opinion it was a matter of justice to the country members that he moved at all in tho direction indicated. Ho had no complaint to make about tho members who represented the citv of Wellington and its suburbs. They had always treated him well and impartially, and had never beon guilty of any unfairness. It was his earnest hope that.such a desirablo 'state of things would continue in. tho future. But the. case was that thero wero six city members and six country members, and tho city members had the. chairman's casting vote. ■ Tho city members sat as an executive to consider important matters, and having made up their minds they could do anything, as there, could only lie a. minority of country members. That would not. bo the case were tho whole board members of the executive. In bringing tho matter forward he considered that, ho was only doing his duty to tho' parents of school-children whom he , represented. Ho did not object to im .executive of two or three, but did not. like to sec the" board equally divided as he had indicated. Mr. "M'Kay (Blenheim) supported tho resolution. It was pointed out br [ho chairman film Hon. .1. Cr. W. Ailken) that it might, perhaps bo hotter to defer consideration of Mr. Hogg's motion, as lie would have a belter chance to make bis point when' the new regulations of the board were under discussion at a later, date. Tim draft of tho amended regulations was laid upon (ho table, but will not bo considered until a later mooting, and Mr. Hogg signified that ho; wan perfectly willing to agree to such a course.