THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 3

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENT OF SUBSIDIES WELLINGTON BOARD PROTESTS The Education .Board v.'as yesterday advised bv the Depnrtmenl of the im- : position of ralher drastic restrictions upon tho payment of subsidies un voluntary contributions. The Department's letter, which was signed by the Director of Education, is Riven below:— _ "For tho .information of those concerned I have to advise you that the following decisions have been given on various points raised, in connection with the payment of subsidies under section 159 of tho Act:- „ "Swimming Baths.—Contributions for providing these cannot be subsidised except in connection with eases where tho Department has already committed itself. "War Memorials.— Subsidy cannot bo paid except on contributions towards school honours boards, and for those only within reasonable limits. "Hot-water Systems in Residences.— Tho Department is prepared to consider the payment of subsidies on voluntary contributions for the installation of these The Governments liability ou this account for any school, however, must not exceed .£ls. The, replacement of a ransro cannot he regarded as a subsidisablo purpose. "Produce of School Gardens.—No subsidies can bo paid on moneys in any way connected with produce grown in the school grounds, as proceeds of sales, prizes, etc. "Fountains and Bubbling Heads—Subsidies will not be payable with respect to drinking fountains, but to encourage the provision of a more sanitary supply of drinking water than that provided by the ordinary tap, the Department is' prepared to subsidise voluntary contributions for 'bubbling heads.' These are not to be of an expensive type, and in the case of any school the subsidy is not to exceed J£s. "Apparatus and Material for Organised Gamefi.-tn clnuso 3, 'apparatus and equipment of a more or less permanent ohaj-acter' is interpreted ta exclude tonnis rackets and balls," but not nets; cricket bats, wickets, balls, pads; footballs. but not balls used exclusively for badcot ball and other hand games; any equipment of a like character. ... . "Apparatus for Hot Lunches. —'Subsidy under tho usual conditions will be paid on voluntary contributions for providing such permanent general equipment as gas rings, kettles, urns, etc., but not in connection with crockery, or utensils, 6uoli as mugs, plates, etc., that are used by individual pupils. Subsidy cannot he paid with respect to such material as cocoa, sugar, etc., nor with respect to tho replacement of pepianent equipment." Mr. G. London protested againti» tho refusal to pay subsidies on '.he p'oduce of school gardens. He thought that the Government in an insidious way was doing it; best to .discourage very commendable effort ou the nnrt of the children.

'Mr. W. E. Field, M.P., moved: "That a strong protest be entered' against tho parsimony of the Department as exhibited in its letter." Mr. C. J. Harkness considered that the refusal to subsidise contributions for .swimming baths was "playing with the good faith of the public." Mr. Field pointed out that money had been publicly subscribed for swimming baths at .TohnsonviHe and Morrisville West, on the faith that subsidies would be paid. Mr. T. Forsy'.h (chairman) said that the communication was in direct conflict with the public utterances of the Minister. By its action in -cutting off subsidies, the Department was only penalising itself. It was discouraging local interest and assistanco in the provision of things that were essential to the schools.

■ The board was-informed by the secretary that the amount subscribed for. swimming .baths ; : at Johnsonville and Morrisvillo West, were respectively =£IGO and .£IOO.

Mr. Field's resolution' of protest was carried.