The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1891. The Eucation System

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 146, 2 June 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1891. The Eucation System

At one time it was held- as a sound reason for the continually increasing amount of the sum paid by the coiony ! to maintain the established educational system, that the expenditure should" keep pace with the increase of population. , We, have always held that this argument was logically sound, and therefore we are not departing from our principles when we now advocate an economic policy in regard to this expenditure, on the grounds that, as the population is not increasing, but on the contrary, is falling off, the Education Vote should nut be increased, but, if possible, should be reduced at the next meeting of- Parliament. We are quite aware, that in our own district, owing to the marvellous progress being made in the direction of settling the land, with, the consequent large increase of children who have either .arrived at, or are rapidly "approaching, the school age ; that more school buildings and school teachers, are becoming necessary to meet bur requirements in that connection almost day by day. But, as it unfortunately happens for the colony as a whole, that other districts , are retrograding, those place which are being depleted of their population should have the amount of their share of the Education Vote reduced on the same ration and such sums as were taken from them should be given to those educational districts which can spend' them to advantage owing to increasing members. Our well informed contemporary the Post takes a veiy pessimist yiew of the whole subject and says :— " We look upon this question of educational reform as one of the most important and pressing of the social, economic, and political pro r blems of the day,. *but we almost des pair of_seeiag it taken up by any political party or leader. There has grown up a rooted idea' that education must not be touched. Some day we believe the whole costly edifice , will tumble to pieces through its* owu weight, and then public indignation will fall upon those who have helped to build and to prop it, up. If rightly led, public opinion would now gladly avert the calamity of a total collapse by "reducing the structure to proper proportions. " Why the Post .should " despair is not very clear. Everything is possible to the brave, or even to politicians especially of they, are taught the direction of the tide of public opinion.