FREE SCHOOL BOOKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2374, 15 December 1908, Page 5

FREE SCHOOL BOOKS.

A TRADES COUNCIL’S OPINION

[Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14

The Trades and Labor Council on Saturday night passed resolutions to the following effect: > That the socalled improvements to the Lyttleton casualty ward which the Hospital Board decided to make would be quite usd'.ess to meet the requirements of the port. Wliat is required is a new building with all the latest appliances necessary to deal with any case of accident, and which would enablo everything to be done to reduce the suffering of those wlio may require it. That the Government be congratulated on practically giving effect to a stop that will find favor with the majority of workers of New Zealand, free school' books for the children of the Dominion, and the Council urges the Government to give effect to the principle at the earliest possible moment. They are further of the opinion that the Education Boards which have_ intimated their opposition to the principle are singularly out of touch with public opinion," and the time has arrived when it is imperative that those boards should be elected by the people directly. The Council is of opinion that the statement made to the effect that plentv of money is available for children “when a matter of pleasure is involved is simply prevaricating, for the reason that the children are sent home and state that the teachers said they were to bring so much money for such-and-such a purpose, and that parents, not to have tlieir children spoken of by those more fortunate, comply, so that that should not happen. For that reason and others we are of opinion that the time has arrived when it is incumbent on those in authority to see that no child is asked to contribute money for any purpose whatsoever with the exception of an award fete.

OPINION OF HAWKE’S BAY INSPECTORS.

NAPIER, Dec. 14. In a report on free school books submitted to-day, the inspectors of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board stated : . “ACthough sixpence is a small allowance for the purchase of books in the preparatory classes, as two and often three infant and primer readers are used during the year, we are of the opinion that, by careful management and expenditure of the funds avail bale, it will he possible to provide plenty of reading pi after for the use of the junior pupils.” The Board deferred consideration of the report till next meeting.