DIRECTOR Of EDUCATION

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1920, Page 1

DIRECTOR Of EDUCATION

PROPOSED APPOINTMENT.

CAUSES LENGTHY DEBATE.

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

- WELLINGTON, September 10. The House is having a quiet day on the Estimates. The Education votes were taken first and Sir iSidev who now occupies a seat in the front Opposition bench beside the new Leader of the Opposition, moved the reduction of the vote for the salary of the Director of Education, as an indication that in the opinion of the House, .the new Director of Education should be a New Zealander. The. Department, is advertising this position in Britain, Australia and New Zealand, and .it is generally understood that an educational expert from abroad is likely to be appointed Mr Sidey said that a New Zealander when appointed, should travel for twelve months in order to study the educational systems of other countries. The Minister for Education replied that he would be delighted if_ a New Zealander secured the position which was to he filled by the Public Service Commissioner, bitt the Education Department required the best men available in order that full justice might be done to the children. The amendment was discussed throughout the afternoon and into the evening, both' sides of the oase being stated at length. Some mem members wished to cite the late General Manager of Railways -as an example of the imported expert, who did hot make good, and there was some debate on this point before the Chairman ruled it out of order. Sir W. Herries came to the defence of Mr Hiley and contended that the late Manager had done well by the railway system. Tlie majority of members evidently believed that the Education Department ought to have, the best Director obtainable regardless of the feelings of New Zealand educationalists.