“RETORT DISCOURTEOUS”

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1929, Page 2

“RETORT DISCOURTEOUS”

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION’S

CRITICISM.

- WELLINGTON, Fob. 20. ' At the Jast mooting oi tlio neintigton Education Board it was meiu.o.. od that the Director of Ldiu.aiioa, Ai. T. 13. Strong, had given an auuu.v> Jeo liotarians at u’aimersto.i .on'i,. and made remarks detrimental to cu-.-eatiou boards in general and the Wellington and Wanganui boards m p;..tiouiar. llio board decided to ask .vir Strong to forward an account of in,-, .speech, but at to-day's meeting a io,pu was received from the Director saying lie had no information to comnmnioaU to the board. Characterising the reply as “the retort discourteous” Air London immediately moved that the circumstance leading to the letter should be communicated to the Minister of E-iuca tion, with a protest that the action oi the head of such an important <h-p.tr. meat was both unreasonable and discourteous. Air Blake suggested a remit to the Education Boards Conference instead of appealing to the Minister. Air Nichollls agreed, as Air Strong, he said, had attacked all the boards. This course was adopted. Init not before there had been some very Hunt speaking, through Air J. J. Clark, who was not at the previous meeting, saying it was very undignified to enter into a discussion on a matter Unit was really one of rumour. Air Forsyth, the chairman, said if was no rumour, and the remarks at Palmerston wen* made alter the Director had assured himself That the Press was not present. Air Kobortsoii remarked that, lie \>n< afraid the Director bad allowed his difference ol opinion with the boa id with regard to the appointment ol Mr Lomas as principal oi the li.lining College to affect him. and was showing his spleen. Mr Forsyth said that Air Sl.iong should be able to say either unit lie had not made the statement, or else tell what he had said.