MR FOWLDS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2156, 3 April 1908, Page 2

MR FOWLDS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS. THE NEW HOSPITAL BILL. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 2. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister of Education, arrived from tho North this morning, and was engaged dm ng tho day transacting departmental business/ In conversation with a leprc Kontativo of “Truth” the Minister made a reference to tho recent adoption of research scholarships. a' lo Department, lie said,, proposed to OIS 0. 0 Of these scholarships annuaIv to each of the four university coliLls, the idea being to encourage original research that would bo of economic value to tho country, comiection with tho tries tho proposal had been _ vtij heartily approved. value. £ ■’Board f ofvictoria College had sent him -a letter expressing appreciation of what they cal c “a well-devised system ot research scholarships.” Ho thought it veiy likoly that great benefit would rosul S the scholarships, because the work of tho students would become tho* property of the Dominion, and bo made available for the peopio wlw were concerned in tho different mil . tries which were tho subjects ot special investigations. Tho Minister stated that the re port of tho To Oranga Homo Enquiry Commission had been received and forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, and it would bo published when it was returned. In the meantime, he preferred not to discuss any matter connected with tho enquiry. . The Minister was very strongly m favor of tho proposal made in the nev, Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill that tho appointments to hospital staffs made by tho local authority should bo reserved for Ministerial approval. When it was considered that half tho money came directly out of the Consolidated l'und, pit seemed to bo a reasonable provision. There had been for a good manj years a very strong demand througnout the Dominion for some greater power of supervision being exercised by the central Government, and there had-been a good many cases where trouble had arisen in connection with the management of the hospitals that would certainly have been avoided it the local boards hade availed themselves of the advice which tho In-spector-General of Hospitals was in a special position to give. Many unsuitable appointments had been made which had led to trouble that would never have been caused if the Boards had first consulted the Department. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that there was a very strong feeling that the present , condition of affairs was unsatisfactory. He wanted to get the very best provisions embodied in the Bill, and,.to assist that, it was proposed to hold a conference of the representatives of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards in Wellington early in- Juno. The Department would t-lien be able to hear objections to the proposals in the Bill introduced two years ago by the Government.

A deputation, representing the different societies of professional musicians in New Zealand and members of the -music-teaching profession generally, waited upon the Hon. Geo. Fowlds to-day to protest against the proposal to establish a conservatorium of music in the Dominion, as suggested by the University of New Zealand, and of subsidising in any way such an institute. The deputation was introduced by the Hon. Chas. Louisson. Mr.'''Max Herchberg, who headed the deputation, said that the promoters of the conservatorium scheme had approached the Government with a view to receiving. State assistance, and had made public their views on the matter, and the members of the teaching profession throughout New Zealand* consequently thought that it would be as well for the Government to become acquainted with both sides of the question before a decision was arrived at. A petition against tho proposal had -been prepared,_and had been largely signed by the members of the profession throughout New Zealand. The petition was then readby .Mr. Hercliburg. It stated the advocates for the conservatorium claimed—-(1) That a conservatorium would be a training-ground for music teachers; (2) that it would have a radiating and illuminating influence in the country; (3) that it would produce a -musical. atmosphere; (4) that it would stimulate the desire for the cultivation of music; that there would be more work for private music teachers than there had ever been before; aud that it would not interfere with tho private teachers in the slightest. In opposing the scheme in toto, attention was drawn to the following points—(l) The establishment of a conservatorium by the University of New -Zealand was premature; (2) such a conservatorium would not exercise any “radiating and illuminating” influence throughout the Dominion; (3) the -plea that a conservatorium would produce a musical atmosphere was not only -wrong but misleading; (4) the conservatorium -would .not benefit private teachers; (5) objection was taken to State aid -being granted; (6) the conservatorium examinations would not -be largely supported. The Minister replied that the representations of the deputation would -receive careful consideration by the Government. The Minister proceeds to Dunedin by the first express to-morrow, and will there enter on a very extensive programme of engagements. He is to attend a conference of local bodies in regard to a drainage difficulty, and also visit a number of institutions under the control of his. Department, -which he has not previously had an opportunity of inspecting. Other engagements are the opening of the new Dental School "in connection with the University, taking part in the ceremony of laying the foun-dation-stone of the Training College and laying the foundation-stone of tile Presbyterian Residential -Hall in connection with the University. Tho -Minister may also visit -Gprp, -where there is a High School -question that requires attention. Ho will probably return to Christchurch about the 13th inst, and remain a few days in the city.