SIR JAMES PARR.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1926, Page 3

SIR JAMES PARR.

EDUCATION DISSERTATION

[by tkleohath —rim press association'.]

BLENHEIM. March 23. i A lengthy and interestint; reference to the subject of education was made by Sir .lames Pan at a civic reception, his remarks being in the nature of a retiring address, for ho will very soon he reinquishing the portfolio of Education which he had held for so long. Sir .fames declared that lie was giving up the portfolio with the deepest regret, in order to accept the appointment. of High Commissioner, hut T shall never torge-t illy old love. The speaker asserted lie would rcmcrulmr that the welfare of tins Empire was wrapped up in the education of its citizens of future. Proceeding, Sir James said New Zealand was .spending a great deal of money on education, three and a half millions in fact, or one eighth of the national income. Some people said it was altogether too much, others that it was altogether too little, hut il his hearers were with him sometimes when delegations and deputations besieged him with requests for more expenditure they would realise that there were thousands of people who believed that he should spend much wore money. cause the mechanism ol the League had failed this time. 'I he Gorman Government had unanimously decided to follow up its Locarno policy with which the continued occupation of the second and third Rhineland zones was incompatible. It might astonish his hearers hut it was nevertheless a fact that 80 per cent id the expenditure was paid out salaries to teachers, professors, inspectors and so on. I rejoice, declared the .Minister. that teachers in mv term of ollice have had their emoluments increased and that to-day they are receiving fairlv adequate salaries, adequate hut no more mind you. There was a time when the salary of an educated, nay often cultured man, was no more than that of a successful watersidor. But l am thankful that that day is past. There was no one in the whole community mure influential than the teacher and lie made no apology for the size of the vote tor salaries. The Education vote of 3J millions is more twin justified, Sir James stated. It can only he reduced by attacking the main fabric of education by reducing it in essential points and destroying t'l.e efficiency of schools. No sane or sensible man would raise the argument of extravagance; indeed on leaving the pu>t ol .Minister for Education he would assert, tlit- vote should not lie. dccrea-cd. but must and would be increased, whether tlit: country liked it or not. The increase. the speaker estimated must he , between £58,1100 anil £60.000 a year. There was no escape ami the provision of money would bring anxiety to the Government, Ministers. Boards and 1 Committees. 1 Ho did not know that a reduction i in the vote was being urged. If it i was it was front a quarter which was , not. entitled to a, great deal of respect. , Education and the provision lor education wits and must, he kept free ol * the influence of caprices and artifices of political party warfare. '