“A COOL REQUEST”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 176, 21 April 1921, Page 6

“A COOL REQUEST”

BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR COLLECTION OF SUBSCRIPTIONS £ "That the request of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, that the collection of subscriptions be made by the board be re--1 ferred to the board,” was tho text of a recommendation from the executive committee to the Education Board at yes- ! terday's meeting. The chairman said that the request was an extraordinary one. The institute was a body which had a secretary, treasurer, and all the other officers, and it was coolly asking the board to take over its moat difficult and important work—the collection of subscriptions. It seemed rather funny to him that tho institute should ask -the board to do its work, when one plank in its platform was the abolition of the boards. (Laughter), There was a "touch of irony” in it, which he appreciated. Mr. AV. T. Grundy said the underlying motive for the request might lie deeper than the mere performance of the work. It might mean the bringing of pressure to bear upoi teachers to join the institute. He was convinced that nothing but moral suasion should be exerted,in that direction. “If I had been a teacher,” sand Mr. Grundy, "I would have opposed it strongly. I think it was a very grave mistake on the part of the institute to make such a request and as a member of tho board, I object strongly to the proposal.” Mr' C. I. Harkness agreed with the views expressed by Mr, Grundy. Membership of the institute should not be made compulsory. It was proposed by Mr. J. J. Clark that the matter be deferred for a month, and that the institute be heard on the proposal. This motion was defeated by 7 votes to 3 (the ayes being Messrs. Clark, W. H. Field, M.P., and London). Mr. Grundy then moved that the request be refused. This motion was seconded and carried on the voices.