SCHOOL BOOKS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 255, 22 July 1921, Page 7

SCHOOL BOOKS

11 COMMITTEES SUPPORT THE MINISTER SCHEME STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION Representatives of the Wellington School Committees’ Association, who mot the Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) yesterday, expressed warm approval of the proposal that the Education Department shall supply school books and stationery to parents at) cost, price through the education boards and school committees. Str. A. J. White assured the Minister that the members of the association appreciated his scheme and thanked him for the stand he had taken. The cost of books was a very serious matter to many parents, and it ought to bo kept as low a» possible. Tie believed that the scheme now under consideration by the Department would save the parents at least 30 per cent, of their present expenditure. The Minister said he was glad to have the support of the school committees in his desire to lighten the burden on the shoulders of the parents. It was natural that some of the booksellers, and particularly the wholesalers, should object to trade being taken out of their hands, but he had to look at the matter from the point of view of the whole community. He had not yet decided definitely on the .adoption of the scheme that had been outlined. The matter had to bs investigated from all sides. He had received a letter from the booksellers assuring him that a Government Department could not enter the business without incurring serious loss, and he had already stated that he did not intend to enter the business unless he was sure that a substantial saving could, be effected fcr the parents. Until he had received full information from his officers and had got the views of the education boards, he oonld not say what would bo the police of the Government, excent that its duty was to lighten the burdens of parents as much as possible. CASE FOR COMPLETE FREE SUPPLY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE WRITES TO MINISTER. A letter has been sent to the Minister of Education by the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute, in regard to the supply of school books and stationery. The letter expresses the pleasure the executive has in acknowledging the importance of tho Minister's recent utterances on the matter, and states that hi? expressed determination to take steps towards the lightening of the burdens of parents is regarded’ as a distinct step forward, and as such is heartily welcomed. The executive, however, in view of the controversy that has arisen, again brings before him the case for a complete freo supply of school requisites as a natural and inherent element in the system of education. The letter continues: — i "The case rests on three principal contentions: First, it is economical; second, It is logical; third, it is just. As to tho first of these, there can be no question. If the Government, regarding itself as the agent of -the whole community, bought the whole of the requisites for the schools of the community, it could buy at only a fraction of the cost that n section of the community has to pay, nt present. The principle has for years been acknowledged in other Government Departments, and even in tho Education Dcoartment itself. The Railways, the Public Works, the Post and Telegraph Deportments all have their stores for tho supply of materials necessary for their own business; and the Education Department has its store for supplying the schools under its direct..control. There, seems to.be no adequate reason why the ordinary schools. should not be treated in the same way. There is an apparent objection in tho fear that what is given for nothing will not be valued, and that material will be wasted, but that would at worst Fe only a passing phase, which would quickly •give. way under the influence of good civic teaching. "The contention that Hie proposal is a logical one is also quite clear. For the common good, as well a« tho individaul good, pupils are compelled to attend school. A school without the necess-Uy material is not a comnleto school. The only argument against the completion of the school seems to Im- that it was not. done in former .times —in the times when tho conception of the meaning of national education was much less adequate than it is to-day. "Finally, it is contended that the proposal is ’a. just one. Education is a national function conferring a national benefit. Ev A rv member of the community shares in the benefit, whether he has children in tho schools or not. nnd should therefore contr ;,, nt" ’’is shore of the cost. It is universally admitted, that the. rearing of children is the "teate*t of national ear vices, nnd under tho pro. sent system tlm«- who do most for the care of their, ch’ld ren arc tho c « who are most heavily taxed. Tim well-being of the community rrouirey a high standard of physical, moral, ami intellectual fitness in its people, and it is m“.re inatioe that tho community should do its part in supplying the means for securing what ft reqhires.” CONCENTRATION OF ORDERS AUCKLAND PROPOSAL. By Telegraph.—Pros Assncint.lnn. Auckland, July 21 The Primary School Committees’ Association carried n. motion approving the concentration of orders for school stationery; It recommended the executive to call for tenders for six months’ supplies. a condition being that nil committees shall bo enabled to purchase nt a uniform rate. The chairman stat’d throe wero sixty committees, and nt on average of £46 ver annum, tho contract would mean £2006 to £3OOO yearly.