CLOSE BUDGETING

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 6

CLOSE BUDGETING

VICTOEIA COLLEGE

FUTURE UNCERTAIN

A hint that the finances of Victoria University' College required careful budgeting for the present year was given during a .discussion at the meeting: of the College Council last.night when a letter was received from the Director of the Workers' Educational Association (Dr. L L. G. Sutherland), asking whether the. council intended to continue to recommend to the University of New Zealand, as it had done iii the past, that £.300 of the money received from the National Endowment Fund be allocated to the association.

"As matters now stand this sum, if received, would be the only'appreciable sourco of income for 1934," stated Dr. Sutherland, "I was instructed to point out to the council that it would still be possible, with this amount, to keep alive certain valuable W.E.A. activities. The library could be maintained in use and there has now grown up quite a considerable amount of borrowing by post from country districts, as well as direct borrowing in Wellington. The discussion course method, which has proved very successful in reeont years, cOuld bo. continued, as could also tho box scheme groups. A certain amount of voluntary tutorial work could be arranged in Wellington city and suburbs. This inquiry regarding the grant from the National Endowment Fund is necessitated by tho tutorial classes committee having to face the question of the ] further continuance of W.E.A. activities."

Professor W. H. Gould said that the £300 grant would enable some of tho W.E.A. activities to be carried on.

The chairman (Mr. P. Levi) pointed out that tho reason for the difficult position in which tho W.E.A. found itself was the withdrawal- of the Government's annual grant. " It would be- a pity to allow the W.E.A. 'activities to cease. If possible they should be kept alive. It might be possible in a year or two hence to bring about an improvement.

Mr. 11. A. Parkinson moved that the council should recommend the New Zealand University to follow the courso of former years and that the tutorial classes committee should be informed accordingly. - Mr. A. Fair, K.C., raised the question of whether there was any danger of the college being in such a position that tho staff would have to be reduced.

Mr. Levi said they did not know. They wero in difficulties already, and they were really' waiting for the Minister of Education to give them assistance this year. They would be short in December.

Tho registrar (Mr. G. G. S. Robison): We have hardly enough to finish the year. Mr. Fair said he did not see.how the council could make a recommendation until it knew what its own financial position would be. Mr. Levi said he agreed with Mr. Fair.

Mr. Parkinson withdrew his motion, and it was decided to postpone further consideration of the grant to the W.E.A. until the next meeting or the meeting after, _ .