The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1884. The Education Board

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 51, 1 May 1884, Page 2

The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1884. The Education Board

At the meeting of the Board lielcl in Wanganui on Tuesday last, it was resolved that owing to the depressed condition of the revenue, with the exception of tenders already accepted by the Board, no more money be voted for new buildings, additions to buildings, fences, or clearing school grounds, till the Government have informed the Board as to the building grant for the year. The Chronicle commends the action of the Board, and points out that as to contracts already let there need be no uneasiness, as the Board is in a position to meet all its engagements, even without the assistance of the expected grant from the Government. It is admitted that in proportion to the amount of work to be done, the funds of the Board have not been equal, but what has been done has been with the intention of making the money go as far as practicable, and when all the surrounding circumstances are considered, we do think that the prudence and good management of the Wanganui Education Board would compare very favorably with that of any other in the Colony. We have been at variance with the Board on several occasions on matters to which it is not now necessary to allude, and we probably experience the greater pleasure in bearing testimony to the busi-ness-like manner in which they have acted. We do not believe that the State will be able to continue grants in aid to education in a ratio in proportion to the natural increase of the population, nor is it desirable that it should do so. The income of the Education Boards, as now paid out of the revenue, ought not to be increased in amount, nor should further grants in aid of buildings be expected unless in exceptional cases. The question then naturally arises, from what source are funds to be provided to meet the daily increasing educational wants of the people. Major Atkinson has stated that they cannot be provided for out of loans, and we agree entirely with him, for the revenue of the Colony ought to be charged with them. Both local rating and general taxation have been suggested, but both were admitted to present difficulties. We are opposed to any plan of general taxation, for that would only be adding to the present system of centralisation, which is capable of so much abuse. We would be more inclined to support a system of local taxation for each Board district, retaining all the compulsory clauses of the present Act. This would doubtless be better adapted for the country districts than for the large towns, but we think that difficulties in this respect could easily be adjusted, I and any undue pressure, on densely crowded centres requiring large and expensive buildings, obviated. Such a direct tax on parents would have a most beneficial effect. Now, parents, in too many instances, value State Education at what it costs them, i.e., nothing, and so take very little interest as to whether or not their children benefit by the educational facilities placed at their disposal. But if the amount of direct taxation would be increased or diminished by the numerical attendance at schools, parents would very soon interest themselves in seeing first, that they got value for their money, and secondly that drones and idlers were forced to learn in order to be taken from school to make room for others, and so put off as long as possible the necessity for erecting enlarged buildings.